For Immediate Release — May 7, 2026

ECPA announces program and leadership for PubU 2026 in Nashville

ECPA PubU returns to Nashville on November 4-5 with five training tracks for publishers

CHANDLER, AZ — May 7, 2026 — The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) today announced the program and leadership for ECPA PubU 2026, the industry’s premier training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals, to be held November 4–5 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel.

ECPA PubU—“Publishing University”—brings together professionals from across the industry for two days of role-based training, collaboration, and connection. Developed by the industry, for the industry, the event equips publishing professionals with practical tools, insights, and peer learning across disciplines.

The 2026 ECPA PubU program will feature curated sessions across five key publishing disciplines:

Editorial
Marketing
Sales
Production & Operations
Design & Innovation

With its signature “U-Build-It” format, attendees can customize their schedules while learning directly from experienced practitioners shaping today’s publishing landscape.

“PubU continues to be one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the people behind Christian publishing,” said Jeff Crosby, president of ECPA. “This gathering brings together the collective wisdom of our industry to train, connect, and inspire professionals at every stage of their careers.”

2026 Program Leadership

The 2026 ECPA PubU program is developed by a professional team of Track Leaders, representing a broad cross-section of Christian publishing expertise. This year’s tracks will be curated by:

Jenn Butenschoen – PubU Lead
Director of Production & Digital Content, Harvest House Publishers
Katara Washington Patton – Editorial Track
Executive Editor, VOICES Collection, Our Daily Bread Publishing
Robin Bermel – Marketing Track
Backlist & Brand Director, Penguin Random House Christian Publishing
Dave Almack – Sales Track
Director of Sales, Marketing and Acquisitions, P&R Publishing
Torrey Sharp – Design & Innovation Track
Owner and Principal, Faceout Studio
Linda Walz – Production & Operations Track
Production Director, Tyndale House Publishers
Brian Conley – Production & Operations Track
Production, Design, and Digital Publishing Manager, Ave Maria Press

Investing in the Next Generation

ECPA will also host its annual Emerging Leaders program, led by Andrea Garcia, senior marketing manager at Tyndale House Publishers. The program provides scholarships to PubU and a year-long mentorship opportunity to rising professionals in Christian publishing.

“Serving as PubU Lead alongside such an exceptional team is both an honor and a joy,” said Jenn Butenschoen, PubU Lead and Director of Production & Digital Content at Harvest House Publishers. “Our goal is to create an environment where peers can learn from one another, share best practices, and leave equipped to produce excellent, impactful content.”

Registration and Information

ECPA PubU 2026 will take place November 4–5 in Nashville, with early bird registration opening on June 1^st. For more information about the program, Track Leads, and to sign up for program updates, visit ECPAPubU.org.

ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

ECPA PubU has delivered training, connection, networking and inspiration to the industry’s frontline practitioners since 2004. Industry leaders develop the program to invest in the expertise of their colleagues, and train up the next generation of leaders. ECPAPubU.org

Media Contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA president, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 802
Sheri Toomb, ECPA communications manager, stoomb@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 805

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