AUUMM Annual Conference 2025

These are placeholders - the agenda will be updated as the workshop schedule firms up

Are you planning to apply for a conference scholarship? Information about the application process is forthcoming. Please wait until you learn if a scholarship has been awarded to you before registering for the conference.

Virtual attendees will have access to most all-attendee worship and plenary sessions, plus a variety of workshops every day. 

The schedule seems a little bare. Will more be added? 

Absolutely! This is just the beginning. Proposals​ are still being accepted through Feb. 28, and those submissions, along with others from earlier, are all being considered. We will be adding continuously to the conference site as speakers and activities are confirmed. 

What kind of reading sessions will we have this year?

Plans are underway for repertoire sessions for choirs, bands and song-leading.

How do I reserve a room at the Conference Hotel?

You can make your reservation here​ to obtain the AUUMM negotiated rate. While you are not required to stay at the Conference Hotel, we hope you will. Conference attendees who do, report an enhanced conference experience. In addition, filling our contracted room block avoids penalties to the organization which may otherwise be absorbed through higher registration fees or member dues. Before staying elsewhere to save money, consider doubling up with another conference goer at the conference hotel.

What sessions will I receive as a virtual attendee?

As we create our schedule, we will designate those sessions which are most appropriate for virtual delivery. Typically, we are able to stream the all-attendee gatherings and up to three sessions during the workshop slots. Virtual content will be recorded and made available after the event. 

When should I plan to travel to and from Atlanta?

Plan to arrive Tuesday evening or Wednesday by mid-day; July 22 or July 23. Plan your departure for late afternoon-early evening on Sunday, July 27.

If you will be attending the Professional Development Day, plan to arrive no later than Tuesday evening, July 22. PDD will be held from 9am - 3pm on Wednesday, July 23, at the conference hotel.

Our conference will kick off with our Opening Celebration on Wednesday evening and sessions will begin Thursday morning, July 124 AUUMM Conference participants will take part in closing worship on Sunday, July 27, so you will want to plan your departing flights no earlier than about 2pm.

How will I get to the church from the conference hotel each day?

Bus transportation will be available to and from the church each day for conference hotel guests only. Buses will transport the group to the church in the AM for morning sessions and back to the hotel in the PM at the conclusion of the days' sessions. All other transportation needs must be arranged on your own. Please be sure to indicate your plans to ride the bus on your registration form.

What are the protocols around COVID?

Please visit our COVID Policy Page for more information. 

What is the conference cancellation policy?

We are happy to provide refunds to in-person registrants on the following schedule: Through May 31: 100% refund; June 1 to June 30: 50% refund; July 1 and after: no refunds. 

Virtual registrants may receive a 100% refund until July 23. No refunds July 24-27.

Details coming forthwith.

The Conference Hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott, Decatur, 130 Clairemont Ave, conveniently located 14 miles from the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, in the heart of historic downtown Decatur with over 50 restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel and 1 block from the Decatur MARTA Station.  

Rates are $179+ tax for single or double occupancy and include buffet breakfast and discounted parking.  The hotel offers free wifi, fitness center, and an indoor pool.  An additional $10 per night will be charged for each additional person in the room, up to 4 max. 

Please note: If you book through a third party, the above discounts and privileges will not apply.  Please use THIS link only to reserve your room: 

Book your group rate for AUUMM 2025​ 

You may also call the hotel directly at 404-371-0204 and refer to the AUUMM 2025 Conference in order to receive the discounted conference rate. 

The cut-off date for making reservations is June 29.  After this date, or when the room block fills, whichever comes first, we cannot guarantee room or rate availability.  Please do not wait to make your reservation!  This is a popular hotel and rooms will sell out. 

A word about staying at the conference hotel: 

Attendees are, of course, welcome to stay wherever they like.  However, please understand that staying at the conference hotel benefits AUUMM through discounted banquet, AV, and meeting room expenses.  We are obligated to fill a minimum number of rooms and if we fall short, we will be penalized, which could be reflected in next year's conference fees and/or member dues.  Staying at the conference hotel also promotes a sense of community and enhances the overall conference experience.  Finally, please note that bus transportation to and from the church each day will be provided to hotel guests ONLY. 

Transportation to the hotel 

The hotel does not provide shuttle transportation from the airport.  Uber or Lyft is most convenient and cheaper than cabs. Attendees may also check out Atlanta Airport Superior Shuttle service.  Reservations are required: 707-457-479 

The hotel is located one block from the MARTA station. Plan your trip here: 

www.itsmarta.com​ 

Attendees can also explore bus and train transportation to the Atlanta area. 

https://www.greyhound.com/​ 

https://www.amtrak.com/home.html​ 

Meals 

A full buffet breakfast is included in the group rate at the Conference Hotel for hotel guests ONLY who reserve through the official AUUMM link (provided above). 

Boxed lunches are included in your conference registration fee for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Please note: we do our best to accommodate common food allergies and preference requests.  These include gluten free, vegetarian and vegan requests and we omit all nuts from the catered lunches.   It is not possible for us to cater to all food allergies and/or preferences and suggest attendees bring their own snacks to supplement if/when necessary.  

All other meals are on your own.  There are several restaurants near the hotel that cater to a variety of dietary preferences and budgets.  We will provide a list of nearby spots at registration – you can also use Google to locate restaurants offering specific cuisine.  Food delivery to the hotel is always an option, however, it must be eaten in your room. Consuming food brought into the hotel in a meeting room is not permitted.  Please honor this as AUUMM will be penalized for this contract violation. 

Hotel Temperatures 

Meeting space temperatures in hotels (and churches!) can vary, are difficult to control and rarely suit everyone's preferences.  Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket with you to sessions. 

It is in the spirit of care for all members of AUUMM, especially those most vulnerable, that we offer this policy. As we each prepare for, travel to, and attend the conference, we remember our commitment to the health and well-being of all who will be in attendance.

• AUUMM asks that attendees mask during travel to the conference, especially those traveling by air, train, bus or other means of public transportation.
• AUUMM requests attendees take a Covid test on Wednesday at the start of the conference (or on the day they will arrive at the conference). Free/low cost test kits are widely available at local pharmacies (also info at covid.gov); attendees should bring their own tests to the conference. AUUMM suggests that attendees test again during the conference.
• If at any time a conference attendee experiences symptoms or feels unwell, they are requested to isolate and test, and let a member of the Conference Planning Team or Care Team know, so they can be of assistance as needed.
• AUUMM will provide a dedicated MASKED ONLY section in both the Sanctuary and Social Hall
• Ventilation and airflow are considerably better than last year and there will be room to do some social distancing by choice.
• There will be outdoor seating areas available for lunches.
• AUUMM will not explicitly set up the smaller classrooms with social distancing in mind due to space constraints.
• AUUMM asks those attendees particularly at risk to take precautions as needed, remembering that there are virtual options.
• AUUMM will follow current CDC, State, Local and Church policies in place at the time of our conference (at a minimum); while masking is currently optional at the venue, attendees are encouraged to mask for inside conference activities.
• AUUMM will have some masks on hand.

Please know that while we value your health and safety, AUUMM cannot guarantee the absence of COVID at our gatherings.

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