The Good News Conference: Five years of Faith, Fellowship, and Fun

This year marks the fifth annual Good News Conference, a milestone that reminds us of how far we’ve come since 2021.

A Pandemic Placeholder

If you are new to the Good News Conference, you may not know that it originally started as a bridge until we could restart our annual Good News Cruise. The COVID-19 pandemic caused tremendous and unexpected gathering restrictions that forced us to cancel the 2021 cruise. For many, this was devastating— not just because we missed an important retreat, but also because we deeply needed hope, faith, and community.

Corporate Travel Service Owners, John Hale and David DiFranco, knew they had to find another way to bring people together for community and communal worship; it's an experience that can't be replicated through Zoom or FaceTime.

“It was apparent that the world needed connection,” John Hale said. 

That’s when the idea for the Good News Conference was born. With the help of many faithful leaders, including Bishop Robert Barron and his Word on Fire Institute, it allowed Catholics to come together in Florida while still abiding by the then enforced gathering restrictions. 

“I quickly saw how well our guests responded to the experience— the talks, the community of the Good News Conference— and knew that it was something that we had to offer annually,” Hale said. 

What started as a temporary solution now remains a beloved annual event for those who want to strengthen their faith in a joyful, community-based environment. 

Past Conferences

As one of our annual keynote speakers, Bishop Robert Barron has been a guiding presence, inspiring attendees in new ways each year.

The theme of our first conference of faith was “Joy”, and it delivered exactly that. Bishop Barron’s homily that year challenged us to trust in God during times of spiritual dryness; And by His grace, our conferences have been able to continue since then, spreading the Good News to more people each year. 

This year’s theme, “Hope”, was actually inspired by last year's keynote speech from Bishop Barron. He spoke of something positive happening in the world. 

“The Holy Spirit seemed to be moving and bringing people back to the Church,” Hale said. “The secularism and rejection of religion— for the first time in a while— seems to be abating.”

They saw these signs as a gift from God, offering hope, and thus, the idea for the theme originated. 

Over the years, the conference has hosted interviews, book signings, and performances by renowned speakers, artists, educators, doctors, authors, and more. Each perspective adds something unique and inspires each person in different ways. 

Looking Ahead

We continue to add new elements, speakers, and programming as the conference expands, and we often take advice and suggestions from our attendees. This year, for example, we are initiating an optional pre-night mixer to give guests a more informal time to meet before the event. 

“We had incredibly positive feedback, and our guests have been such a blessing to each other and to us,” Hale said.

With growing popularity and a long waiting list, we hope to expand to larger venues while still keeping the experience personal and special. Future conferences may even expand overseas, and include touring elements. We might learn about a saint, a church, or a biblical story, then go out together to see and experience it.

 “We have exciting plans and dreams,” Hale said. “And, as always, we ask the Holy Spirit to lead!”