Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about The Leadership Summit. These concerns have been grouped into the categories below. To find an answer to your concern, simply click on one of the category links to jump to a question and read its answer.
If you do not see the answer to your specific need, please take advantage of our Contact Form. This form allows you to electronically submit a specific question to the WCA Customer Service Center. Please be sure to provide as much detail as possible, along with your email address, so our team can answer your question quickly and accurately.
You may also call the WCA Customer Service Center directly at 800-570-9812. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST and Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST.
What is the purpose of The Leadership Summit?
The Leadership Summit exists to transform Christian leaders around the world with an annual injection of vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of the local church.
Who should go to the Summit?
The Leadership Summit is designed for your entire leadership team—staff and volunteers, key influencers and innovators within the community, emerging leaders and students with leadership gifts. We encourage churches to bring large teams to experience the learning together. Most groups bring more than 10 people.
When is The Leadership Summit?
This year the Summit will take place Thursday-Friday, August 7-8, 2008. This is an annual event generally held the second week of August.
Where is The Leadership Summit taking place?
What time does the event start and end?
This two-day event begins at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7 and concludes at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 8 CT. Please refer to your confirmation letter for any variance at your specific site to this national schedule.
How do you choose speakers for The Leadership Summit?
Our goal is to choose leaders from a variety of disciplines including ministry, not-for-profit, academia, sports, marketplace, government, etc. At each Summit, we strive to find leaders and experts that will not only deliver practical skills but also stretch church leaders as they seek to develop their unique gift of leadership.
Are there different start and end times for each time zone?
The times listed on the
Summit schedule are in Central Time (CT) time, the local zone for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, where the Summit broadcast originates. Summit sites in the Eastern Time Zone will broadcast the event live at 10 a.m. each day and conclude at 6:30 p.m. Sites in the Rocky Mountain will broadcast the event live at 8:00 a.m. each day and conclude at 4:30 p.m. The Pacific Time Zones will delay the live broadcast of the Summit so that the event starts at 9:00 a.m. in each respective time zone.
What is a "videocast"?
Each "videocast" session at the Summit includes an exclusive interview conversation between Bill Hybels and a featured leader. Each interview is pre-recorded, edited to run in the time allotted, and may include additional video footage of the leader or their work.
Are there evening activities associated with the Summit?
On Wednesday evening, prior to the first day of the Summit, some sites may broadcast Willow Creek Community Church's service. Please refer to your confirmation letter to distinguish if your specific site will be featuring this service. No other national evening events are planned during the Summit, but connect with your local site for regional activities.
What are the differences between attending the Summit at Willow Creek or a satellite site?
The Summit experience is planned to be identical whether at the originating campus or a satellite location. Satellite sites are preferred by some attendees for convenience, affordability, and connectivity to the church in their region. Attendance at the Willow Creek campus provides the energy of an expected 7,000 attendees experiencing programming and speakers LIVE.
Do you translate the event into other languages?
At the Willow Creek campus and limited Satellite sites, language translation will be available. In 2007, at the South Barrington campus, language translation featured Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Korean. Specific translations offered at Satellite sites will be announced as they are determined.
For translation at the Willow Creek campus, groups must prearrange services by emailing
wcaglobal@willowcreek.com after registering for the conference. In 2008, some satellite sites will offer language translation of the event. Please check the Summit locations page after June 1st for up-to-date information.
Is sign language translation provided for the hearing impaired at this event?
We currently do not provide sign language translation for WCA conferences. However, if you have a disability and require special assistance, please let us know by checking the corresponding response on the conference registration form. A WCA conference assistant will contact you to discuss your specific needs. In 2008, some satellite sites will offer Closed Captioning of the event. Please check the Summit locations page after June 1 for up-to-date information.
How many satellite locations are there?
In 2008, we currently have 144 satellite locations (124 in U.S. and 20 in Canada).
Will this event be in real-time at my satellite location?
If you attend in the Eastern or Central Time zones, the Summit will be featured in real-time. Sites in the Rocky Mountain or Pacific Time Zones, will be tape delayed 1 or 2 hours, respectively.
Will there be live music at my satellite location?
In addition to programming featured via satellite feed, many Summit sites do perform music by regional worship teams.
Is the programming the same at all locations?
All programming elements including music, drama, dance, etc. emulate from the Willow campus in South Barrington, IL.
What format and screen size will be used at my satellite site?
Every Satellite site projects this Summit via state-of-the-art satellite technology on a 20' x 24' screen.
How much does it cost to attend the Summit?
What does the conference price include?
Summit registration at the Willow Creek campus includes all your conference materials as well as break refreshments and meals during the event. At a Satellite site, registration includes all your conference materials and break refreshments. Meals are not included at Satellite sites.
Who qualifies for the Student/Faculty rate?
All high school, undergraduate, and graduate students (whether full- or part-time students) are eligible for the Student rate. The Faculty rate applies to those individuals on staff at a college, university, or seminary.
Who qualifies for the Military rate?
U.S. Military Active Duty and Reserve personnel and their spouses may register at the Military rate.
Are there any scholarships available?
Please contact the WCA Customer Service Center at 800-570-9812 if you have special needs or questions regarding scholarships.
Do you prorate conference attendance rates?
Conference rates are not prorated. The price is the same regardless if you attend one session or both days.
How can I register for The Leadership Summit?
There are four ways to register:
| Click | www.willowcreek.com/summit |
| Call | 800-570-9812 or 224-512-1980 |
| Fax | 888-922-0035 or 847-765-5046 |
| Mail | WCA P.O. Box 3188 Barrington, IL 60011-3188 |
How do I register online?
Click here to go directly to the Summit registration page. (Or, at
www.willowcreek.com/summit, click on "Register" in the navigation bar at the top.) Locate the site you'd like to attend and click the "Register" link. Follow the onscreen directions for submitting your registration. To register online, you must have a credit card ready. The WCA accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Please be sure to fill out all online forms completely.
Can I register on-site for the event?
If seats are available, and the site has not sold out, you may register on-site for the Summit.
Can I share a registration with someone if I can't attend the entire event?
Willow Creek does not provide the option to share registrations between two or more individuals. The event has been designed as a holistic learning experience and is best if attended in its entirety.
How do I register with the Military or Student/Faculty rate?
Students and Faculty may register online. Be sure to include the name of your academic institution when registering. Military personnel should call the WCA Customer Service Center at 800-570-9812 for assistance.
When should I expect to receive a confirmation email?
You will receive a registration receipt upon processing of your payment. Confirmation letters will be mailed to the email address provided in early July and include up-to-date event information. Those who choose "Mail" during the registration process will receive confirmation via USPS.
Do I need to have all the names of our group when I register?
The WCA allows groups to record "Empty Registrations" and then submit names of those who will be attending at another date, but no later than two weeks prior to the conference. After that time, a registrant's name can also be added or changed at Registration Solutions during Guest Check-In.
Is there any special pricing available for large groups?
The Leadership Factor of a church or organization, or 10 percent of its adult population, must be "on board" in order to implement new ideas. The Summit can help impact your team's success when it experiences the event together. To assist this vital vision, the WCA has developed special discounts for groups of 25 or more leaders to attend the Summit at a satellite location. Call the Summit Group Concierge today at 800-570-9812 for pricing details and registration assistance to take advantage of this opportunity.
Are there any special arrangements available for large groups?
At the Willow Creek campus, meeting rooms for large groups wanting to debrief during the Summit are limited. We will do our best to accommodate your request. Please submit your specific request to the WCA Customer Service Center at 800-570-9812 with the following information: church name, contact name, contact phone number and e-mail address, meeting date, meeting start and end time, number of guests, and whether you have food service needs. Your request will be forwarded to the Conference Event Manager, who will then contact you with details. At a Satellite site, requests for meeting space should be directed to the host church to determine if your location can accommodate special requests.
CANCELLATION/TRANSFER POLICY
What is your cancellation/transfer policy for The Leadership Summit 2008?
For a fee of $45 per person, the WCA's policy allows cancellation of a Summit registration no later than June 10, 2008 (60 days before the event) and allows transfer of a registration to another WCA conference no later than July 8, 2008 (30 days before the event). Transferred registrations are good for one year from the date of the original conference. When a registration is made for any of our conferences, the Willow Creek Association begins to prepare a spot for our guest—conference materials are printed, food ordered, etc. The $45 fee to cancel or transfer helps offset the preparation costs already incurred.
What if I'm taking someone's place at the Summit?
If you know in advance that you will be coming in someone's place, please call the WCA Customer Service Center at 800-570-9812, and our staff will be happy to adjust the registration. If it is a last minute change, simply check in the day of the conference by picking up the original registrant's materials. Then, proceed to Registration Solutions, and the Summit staff will correct the information in the system and provide you with a new name badge.
Where can I find information about official conference hotels, rental cars, or airlines?
Currently, the WCA is able to provide discounted rates for all Summit attendees through United Airlines, Avis Rent-a-Car, and Enterprise Rental Cars. In the Chicago area, special arrangements and discounts have been identified a regional hotels.
Click here for up-to-date Summit travel information.
Which airport is closest to Willow Creek?
O'Hare International Airport is 26 miles from the Willow Creek South Barrington campus. Midway Airport is 50 miles from the Willow Creek South Barrington campus.
Is transportation provided between the airport, hotels, and the Willow Creek campus?
The Willow Creek Association does not provide transportation. Please see the
Travel Information section for rental car information, or contact your hotel to see if a shuttle service is available.
Are any hotels within walking distance of Willow Creek?
There are no hotels within walking distance of Willow. Check the
Travel Information section for rental car information, or contact your hotel to see if a shuttle service is available.
When and where do I check in at the Willow Creek Campus?
Guest Check-In will be open on the first day of the Summit and located in the "Blue Sky" Rooms, lower level Building D. Conference materials will be arranged under a registrant's last name.
When and where do I check in at a Satellite site?
Guest Check-In instructions for your specific Summit site will be provided in your event confirmation letter. Conference materials will be arranged under a registrant's last name.
Can I check in early for the Summit?
Availability of Guest Check-In varies by location. Your confirmation letter will detail exact times and location for event registration at your specific site.
What do I need when I check in?
A registration number is not necessary for check-in. However, your confirmation letter might be helpful.
Will there be food for purchase at the Willow Creek campus?
Harvest, Willow Creek's Food Court, will be open for breakfast each day of the Summit. Lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as break refreshments, are included in your Willow Creek Campus Registration.
At the Willow Creek campus, are there accommodations for dietary restrictions?
If you have special dietary needs, please indicate during conference registration. A WCA conference assistant will contact you to discuss your specific needs.
Will there be food for purchase at my Satellite site?
Lunch is not included in the cost of your registration at a Satellite Site. However, many sites offer lunch that can be purchased in advance. Refer to your event confirmation letter for site-specific information. Break refreshments will be provided at every Summit location.
Will there be a bookstore open during the conference?
Willow Creek's Seeds Bookstore will be open throughout the day during the Summit. Hours vary and will be noted in your conference materials. All Satellite sites will offer a Resource Center featuring leadership-related materials and select products by the Summit faculty.
Can I go on a tour of the facility at Willow Creek Community Church?
Scheduled tours will be available during The Leadership Summit. Times of departure will be posted near the Conference Information Center in the Atrium. Check at the Conference Information Center for more detailed information.
Can I go on a tour of the facility at a Satellite site?
Currently we have no formal tours scheduled at our satellite locations. Please speak with the On-site Event Manager for specific questions regarding each individual facility.
Will parking be available?
Ample parking is available on-site at the Willow Creek campus and has been identified at each satellite location. Your confirmation letter will highlight any parking alerts at your specific site.
Is reserved seating available?
Reserved seating is not available for the Summit at the South Barrington campus or any satellite location.
What is the dress code for the Summit?
Conference attire is casual.
How can I receive materials about the Summit?
Contact the WCA Customer Service Center at 800-570-9812 to request promotional materials including brochures, flyers, invitations, and DVDs.
How do I subscribe or unsubscribe to The Leadership Summit email update?
Click here to subscribe to the Summit E-newsletter. To unsubscribe,
click here to update your preferences.
Can I bring my child or nursing infant to the event?
While families are very important to us, The Leadership Summit is an adult training event and children and infants, including nursing infants, are not permitted in any of the sessions. Childcare is not available, and we cannot guarantee a separate room for parents to stay with their children.
What if I have other questions that haven't been answered?
Click here to contact the WCA Customer Service Center with your specific inquiry. If you require a direct response, please make sure you have completely filled in all your contact information. You may also call the WCA Customer Service Center directly at 800-570-9812. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST and Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. CST.
