HEBRON, Kentucky — More than 200 faith-based buyers and sellers gathered August 6–8 in the Cincy Region for the 2025 Going On Faith Conference, where they were treated to an evening dinner cruise hosted by BB Riverboats and an afternoon tour of the Ark Encounter. The conference was held at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, Kentucky, and two busy marketplace sessions yielded hundreds of appointments between attendees from the United States, Ireland and Italy.
“The entire crew from the Cincy Region did a magnificent job for our delegates,” said Going On Faith Conference general manager Jennifer Ferguson. “We’d like to recognize Lorey Hall and Stacey Howell of the Cincy Region, Nancy Willhoite of BB Riverboats and Eddie Lutz of the Ark Encounter for all their hard work to host this exceptional meeting.”
Captain Guy Gruters, a Vietnam War jet pilot who spent five years in a prison camp after being shot down, kicked off the conference with an inspirational recounting of his years during the war. His retelling of the bravery that his personal faith inspired during that conflict earned a standing ovation.
The BB Riverboats Ohio River dinner cruise took place on a sunlit evening, and, after dinner, delegates gathered on the top deck to take in both sides of the surrounding cityscape. Cincinnati and its landmark stadiums were on full display, and smaller vessels sped by the elegant riverboat in both directions.
The Ark Encounter is one of the most popular Christian sites in America, and delegates spent a couple of hours in the immense structure that immerses guests in the biblical story of Noah, his family and the animal kingdom during the Great Flood. Afterward, many enjoyed the park’s petting zoo or a live performance during the park’s annual 40 Days of Christian Music event. Dinner was served at the on-site restaurant, Emzara’s Buffet.
Other meal sponsors included The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs and Visit Owensboro, next year’s host city.
“I’m tired, but I’m happy,” said Cincy Region’s Lorey Hall at the conference’s close. “I think we’ve been able to introduce these planners to some great faith-based stops, including the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, Patriots Landing, area churches, the American Sign Museum, the Freedom Center and the Kentucky Faith Trail.”
For details on the 2026 Going On Faith Conference in Owensboro, Kentucky, visit gofconference.com.
