Come join us at the annual EMI Conference as we return to EMI's US office home in October! We will connect with one another and train ourselves for international service, as we grow our collective vision for “designing a world of hope.”

Our team of presenters is made up of fellow volunteers and EMI staff from around the world. They will teach and share from their own field experience, learning, and perspective. Structured to provide a fuller experience, the conference features 2 full days of seminars. Once again, the California Safety Assessment Program will be taught all day Friday, concurrent with other workshops.

And if you can't attend the full conference, the One Day Pass will give you flexibility to keep your work week commitments. We hope you can join us this fall! Early bird discount available till September 1.

Typically, up to approximately 12 hours of continuing education credits are available for all design related content (for engineers and architects).

 

This year we have two additional new programs added to the schedule as part of a Pre-Conference optional event that will greatly benefit you.

 

Thursday October 19

Security Training – A Basic Introduction (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, lunch included)
At EMI, we want to prepare you as best we can to go and serve the lost, the least and the vulnerable. This includes training in basic security measures to better ensure the safety of yourself and your team. This training is particularly crucial to those on the disaster response volunteer team as post-disaster areas have increased unrest and threats. If you are interested in joining the disaster response team, come to the training and find out more on our website. Come get further equipped and prepared to serve with EMI!

Cost: $50 (in addition to the Conference Registration)

 

Thursday October 19

EMI Surveying - Drones and Their Use (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, lunch included)

Some prior survey experience will be helpful, but not essential.

Drones are becoming increasingly more useful for many different applications, including surveying. Check out this footage that was recently supplied to the EMI team featured in the EMI Summer Newsletter article from Zambia entitled Restored Water, Renewed Vision. The team created usable site maps from this footage for the sake of a broad infrastructure master plan study of an existing 225-acre mission station.

NOTE: On Friday morning during the conference, there will also be two break-out sessions on drone usage and demonstration. All are welcome to experience this fast growing technology, when it is appropriate, and how it can be used with EMI.

Cost: $50 (in addition to the Conference Registration)

 

The Conference (Friday – Saturday) will introduce a new track for attendees as part of the registration – EMI Surveying (for professionals of other disciplines) – A Basic Introduction

Have you been looking for an opportunity to serve on an EMI trip and there hasn’t been a direct fit for your discipline? Now there’s a unique opportunity to broaden your expertise! We will have hands-on training for those who would like to learn to serve as a surveyor’s assistant. You will be trained with methods (and then actual field application time) to help the surveyor on EMI trips. The goal is not for you to become the lead surveyor, but to be feel confident and have a basic understanding of what you can do to help while on the trip.

 

Special Event: Monday Oct 16 – Wednesday Oct 18

In Depth Survey Applications on EMI Project Trips (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, lunch included every day)

This special 2-1/2 day advance event covers Survey CADD drawing and GNSS training. This training will be more advanced, focused for a more experienced user in a small workshop environment.

Cost: $50 (for all 3 days, in addition to the Conference Registration)

Thursday October 19

Welcome reception/EMI Office Open House and Early Registration (2:00 – 5:00 PM)
Hors d'oeuvres served at EMI’s US Office in downtown Colorado Springs.
Meet our staff and fellow conference attendees, and see our newly refurbished offices!

Registration New Life Church Campus, The Tent (5:00 – 7:00 PM)

Opening General Session New Life Church Campus, The Tent (7:00 – 8:30 PM)
Worship
Welcome and general information
Message: Gary MacPhee, EMI

 

Friday October 20

Late Registration New Life Church Campus, The Tent (7:15 AM)

Opening Morning Devotional, New Life Church Campus, The Tent (8:00 AM)
Message: EMI Staff

California Safety Assessment Program (C-SAP) (9:00 AM – 5:00PM)

Breakout Sessions New Life Church Campus (9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:15PM)
Various topics, presenters, TBD

Lunch (catered) New Life Church Campus, The Tent (noon to 1 PM)
Various table topics for discussion

Evening General Session New Life Church Campus, The Tent (6:00 – 8:30 PM)
Dinner (catered)
Worship
Message: Jon Hardin, PhD, Frontiers, USA

 

Saturday October 21

Late Registration New Life Church Campus, The Tent (7:15 AM)

Opening Morning Devotional New Life Church Campus, The Tent (8:00 AM)
Message: EMI Staff

Breakout Sessions New Life Church Campus (9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 1:30 PM, 3:15PM)
Various topics, presenters, TBD

Lunch (catered) New Life Church Campus, The Tent (noon to 1 PM)
Various table topics for discussion

Evening General Session New Life Church Campus, The Tent (6:00 – 8:30 PM)
Dinner (catered)
Worship
Message: John Dallmann, CEO, EMI

Preliminary Schedule.  Final schedule TBD.

Friday October 20

*California Safety Assessment Program (SAP) (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Breakout 1 (9:00-10:00am)

*EMI Surveying I - How to be a Good Surveyor's Assistant
*Sustainable Agriculture I
*Design in the Developing World - an introduction for the new volunteer
*Electrical Design in the Majority World 
EMI Families Overseas I - A spouse's perspective, Introduction

Breakout 2 (10:45-11:45am)

*EMI Surveying II - Surveyor's Assistant, Part 2
*Disaster Risk Reduction: What it Is, Why We Do It, and How
*Structural Engineering for the Developing World
*Holistic Community Transformation through Relationship
First Time on an EMI Trip - preparation, expectations, and surprises

Breakout 3 (1:30-2:30pm)

*EMI Surveying III - Mapping Smaller Project Sites, Part 1
*Sustainable Agriculture II
*Solar Power Design for the Developing World
University and EMI Collaboration: Case Studies, Lessons Learned, the Path Forward

Breakout 4 (3:15-4:15pm)

*EMI Surveying IV - Mapping Smaller Project Sites, Part 2
*Sustainable Water Supply Testing-Case Study: Biosand Filters
*Construction Management - stories and studies from the field
Crossing Cultures I

Saturday October 21

Breakout 5 (9:00-10:00am)

*EMI Surveying V - Intro to Drones
*Sustainable Agriculture III - Aquaponics, Greenhouses, and More
*Water Supplies: Sources and Selection
*R&D in Uganda – Keys to Appropriate Design
*What is "Good" Mission? - Development that "helps and not hurts"
EMI Families Overseas II - A spouse's perspective continued

Breakout 6 (10:45-11:45am)

*EMI Surveying VI - Drone Field Demo
*Architecture in Another World...Where the Pavement Ends
*Water Supplies: well site metering field application
*Electrical System Test and Measurement Equipment Hands-on Lab
*Local Design Professionals: The Strength of a Multi-Cultural Team
Crossing Cultures II

Breakout 7 (1:30-2:30pm)

*EMI Surveying VII - The Basics of a Total Station Survey, Part 1
*Sustainable Agriculture IV: Development of Agricultural Field Guide
*Sustainable Latrine Solutions
*HealthCare Architectural Design in the Developing World
*Concrete, Iron, Wood, and Bibles: Discipling on EMI Construction Sites
Launching a new EMI Office! Senegal, Cambodia and other stories

Breakout 8 (3:15-4:15pm)

*EMI Surveying VIII - The Basics of a Total Station Survey, Part 2
*Sustainable Wastewater Disposal Solutions: Pour Flush, Composting Toilets, and Biodigesters
*Electrical Design/Build Strategies and Implementation
The Heart of EMI Offices Across the World – Interns!
Developing a team of partners for volunteer missions work
Staffing an EMI Field Office - staff and families

* course content with Continuing Education credits available

The Cal OES SAP (made up of parts 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 of the evaluator training course for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Safety Assessment Program), provides experienced professionals who can quickly evaluate damaged structures, identifying those that are safe for occupancy to which people can return, while marking those that are unsafe or have restricted use. The course trains civil engineers, architects, and building inspectors to do field evaluations of buildings and infrastructure for safety. The training will run concurrently with other conference content all day, Friday, Oct 20, from 9 AM – 5 PM. The cost is included in conference registration.

Recommended Conference Hotel

As a convenience for conference attendees, EMI would like to recommend the Drury Inn and Suites at 1170 Interquest Parkway (719-598-2500). Located 1 mile from New Life church, the Drury offers an array of amenities we believe guests will appreciate:

  • Free Wifi
  • Complimentary full hot breakfast
  • Complimentary hot evening meal buffet and beverage, served 5:30-7 each day
  • Pool / fitness center

Rates

  • $110/night – 2 queens
  • $100/night – 1 king

To take advantage of EMI’s special conference rate, use our group number when making your reservation: 2314979. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel (719-598-2500) or visiting the website www.druryhotels.com. Rooms must be booked at least a month in advance of the conference, as our special rate will expire.

What is the dress code?
Most attendees dress business casual.

What meals are provided?
Lunches & dinners Friday and Saturday are included in your conference registration. Breakfast is not included.

How do I get to the conference and where do I park?
The conference is located on the north side of Colorado Springs at New Life Church with ample parking. Local hotels are within a short distance. Cars can be rented at both Denver and Colorado Springs airports.

What should I bring to the conference?
A listening ear and open heart. Optional: note taking implements (pen & notepad/tablet/laptop), Bible (physical or app), and cash/check for EMI merchandise!

Do I need to indicate the Breakout Sessions I attend beforehand?
No, you can pick which sessions you attend at the conference.

Can I receive continuing education?
Yes! You can earn up to 11 hours with the California Safety Assessment Program offered on Friday. Otherwise, up to 4 hours each on Friday and Saturday. The majority of our Breakout Sessions are of a technical nature that they qualify for continuing education for engineers and architects. Breakout Sessions that have been approved for AIA LU’s and HSW LU’s will be indicated in the conference guide. Please check your licensing board requirements for continuing education. EMI is not registered in North Carolina, Florida, or Louisiana.

Will the presentations for the Breakout Sessions be available?
Yes.

Will recordings of the Breakout Sessions be available after?
Possibly.

How do I choose a Breakout Session when there are so many great ones to pick from?!
Each Breakout Session will indicate which disciplines/areas will benefit most, but that is not a requirement for attending. A few Breakout Sessions will be repeated.

My question wasn’t answered here, who do I ask?
Contact us at conference@emiworld.org.