LEAven Blog

Saturday, September 13, 2025—19 days from the start of the 15^th Triennial LEA Convocation. Gathering under the theme “Together,” this convocation will bring nearly 3,000 people to the America’s Center in St. Louis to praise God through worship, experience professional development, learn about companies and organizations that can enhance ministry, and interact with colleagues and friends.

Attendees often have many questions. Today’s blog will answer the most asked questions.

Registration:

• Yes, you can still register. Go to LEA’s Registration Site
• Questions about your registration or the registrations of those attending with you?
  • Access to your registration(s) is only possible through the person who completed the original registration.
  • On the last page of the confirmation email, there is information on how to go back in and make changes. You can make name changes and view the sectionals you’ve chosen.
  • If you need help accessing your account or making payments, contact the LEA office.  
• If you are driving to the America’s Center, the city of St. Louis has provided information about PARKING.

Check-In:

• When you walk into the America’s Center, you will be greeted by people who are genuinely excited that you are attending! They will direct you to the Check-In area.
• At check-in, there will be iPads. Go up to one and follow the prompts. After confirming your registration information is correct, your name badge will be printed before your eyes. Gather your nametag, lanyard, tote bag, and program book. That’s all it takes.
• Your name tag will list your name, school, location, and banquet table number. The convocation schedule will be on the back. Your sectional choices WILL NOT be listed on your nametag. However, if you download the app, there is a place to list the sectionals you are attending under “My Schedule.”
• If you ordered a box lunch or listed any food allergies for Thursday night’s banquet, there will be a kiosk in the check-in area. Please go there to receive the tickets you will need to obtain the correct food.
• If you are speaking at the convocation, after checking in, please proceed to the Speaker kiosk to confirm your arrival.
• First-time attendees can receive a special gift by going to the First Timer kiosk at the check-in area.
• Registration is open Thursday, Oct. 2, from 8:00-4:00 pm and Friday from 8:00-11:00 am. After that time, please go to the LEA office in room 95.
• If you need assistance, please go to the help desk.

Major Events in Halls 1 and 2:

• Opening worship begins Thursday at 1:00 pm.
  • An offering will be taken that will support students studying for Lutheran education ministry.  LEA’s Grow a Teacher program has made it possible for 76 such students from six campuses to attend this year’s Convocation and also participate in their own pre-Convocation event. Watch for ways that you can contribute before and during the service.
  • Many thanks to Concordia Publishing House for sponsoring the opening worship.
• Thursday night’s banquet begins at 6:00 pm.
  • This is the only event that has assigned seating. Your assigned table number will be on your nametag. Please sit at your assigned table. This is to assist the catering staff as they serve you and others.
  • If you have more than 10 people in your group, you will be split into multiple tables, and your tables will be next to each other.
  • If you want to make sure that LEA has the correct names of those people attending the banquet from your school/group, please email Denise Rice. Please provide the name of your school/group, location, and the names. This is especially important if you have added, deleted, or changed names.
• Friday morning’s keynote begins at 8:30 am.
  • Tim Elmore will be our keynote speaker. Principal 360-Powered by CLEF sponsors this event.
• Friday evening’s event Meet Me in St. Louis is from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm.
  • This is a new event for LEA and is being sponsored by the Concordia University System and Lutheran Hour Ministries. It is a come-and-go event, so you don’t have to be there immediately when it opens.
  • There will be four food stations. Each station will be identical and have four different buffet lines of various types of food (plus a dessert table). 
  • Ted Drewes, a St. Louis tradition, will be available.
  • The drinks provided are iced tea, lemonade, and ice water. Credit card bars will be available as well.
  • Activities will include a bounce house, game area (including 9 Square in the Air), Build an Arch, and trivia. You can also visit with our sponsors. At the end of the evening, prizes will be given.
• Saturday morning, our last event features a keynote by Gerry Brooks, with a sending beginning at 10:00 am.

Sectionals

• LEA has approximately 175 sectionals throughout the convocation. Click Here for information about the sectionals. When you get to the LEA website, scroll to the dropdown menu titled Sectional Help.
• The App and the convocation book will have room numbers for each sectional.

Exhibit Hall in Halls 3 and 4:

• LEA has many wonderful vendors with products and services that can assist your ministry. Please stop by and visit them.
• TEC21 features a hands-on area dedicated to all things technology. Don’t miss it!
• Most of the lunch concession stands (and seating) will be in the Exhibit Hall. Curious about the food at the convocation? Click here
• LEA Central will have free popcorn for you and a new photo op created just for this convocation.
• Thursday (4:30-6:30 pm) and Friday evening (5:00-6:30 pm) receptions with free bars will be held here.

Final Items

• We are working on the App. We will announce via Social Media as soon as it is ready.
• Download the schedule.
• Saturday morning coffee will be available as you arrive at the America’s Center.

WOW! This is a lot of information! If I didn’t answer your question(s), please email us at lea@lea.org.

See you soon!