PARISH DATA SYSTEM™ HOSTS FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION
Parish Data System, The Leader in Church Management Solutions for Catholic Organizations, Hosts First Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona
Florence, SC, September 2, 2008 - Parish Data System (PDS) recently hosted its first national convention in Phoenix, Arizona. This year’s convention theme, Shine On, was designed to encourage clients to shine on in their ministry efforts and was mirrored after the theme of the Greater Phoenix area travel resource Web site.
More than 240 clients from parishes and organizations around the country attended the convention, which was held July 30th – August 1st, 2008 at the Phoenix Hyatt Regency Hotel. The convention featured over forty classes that PDS clients could participate in, plus peer-to-peer networking opportunities.
“It was fitting that we had our first annual convention in Phoenix, as it is the birthplace of PDS. From the beginning, we have grown and flourished because of our clients. For that reason, we dedicated our first convention to our clients, because they helped us with the ideas and the motivation that has characterized PDS from the beginning,” states founder Father Mike Boyle.
Parish Data System has a proven track record of commitment to the Catholic community, providing innovative products and solutions designed to help better manage information. Classes during the three day convention included beginning to advanced levels and covered topics that ranged from Strategies for Connecting People to Ministry Opportunities and Implementing a Volunteer Ministry to Simplifying Diocesan Communication.
“We wanted our clients to grow in their knowledge of what PDS can do for their organization and we want them to understand that no matter where they currently are in their ministry PDS can help them get where they want to be,” states ACS Technologies President & CEO Hal Campbell. “The convention offered training by PDS staff and other experts in the church management field and was designed to provide ample time for clients to meet other PDS users as well as key members of the PDS staff.”
Kathy Thieken, the coordinator of parish records at St. Patrick Catholic Community commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed the convention. It was great to put faces to names of those I’ve talked to over the years and to meet people from other parishes throughout the country. The break-out sessions were very informative and helpful. I learned so much and look forward to next year!”
Kelly Collard, the business manager of St. Stephen Martyr Church stated, “I really enjoyed the national convention for PDS. The various classes available were very helpful. The experience was made by being in the classes with so many other people who do your same job and have the same challenges you face. The questions they asked were so helpful and I believe we all learned from each other. Going to the convention gives you a much better understanding of how PDS works.”
Due to excellent client response and support of this year’s inaugural convention, PDS plans to host their 2009 convention July 29th-31st at the Hyatt Regency Wind Watch on Long Island, NY. For more information on exhibitor sign-up and pre-registration for the 2009 PDS convention please visit parishdata.com/convention.
For more details on how Parish Data System solutions can benefit your organization, visit parishdata.com, acstechnologies.com, or call 800.892.5202.
About Parish Data System
Since 1978, Parish Data System (www.parishdata.com) has been the leading Catholic church management software solutions by meeting the needs of more than 8,000 parishes, schools and dioceses worldwide. In 2004, PDS joined forces with another church management software leader, ACS Technologies (www.acstechnologies.com), combining strengths and staff to offer the industry's best support and training along with the broadest line of church management software solutions. PDS software is used by more parishes in the United States than any other software, making it the top choice for Catholic management software and services. PDS continues to lead the market with new technology solutions that enable accurate data management, increase communications, and empower growth within Catholic organizations, both at the parish and diocese levels.
