Rostered Ministers and Synod Authorized Ministers throughout the Northern Illinois Synod are invited to join us for the 2026 Professional Leaders Conference (PLC), September 28–30, at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. 

Registration Cost  

Registration is $130, and it includes lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Your registration fee also covers the guest speaker, site costs, and other things we need to have an enriching event. 
Registration cut-off is September 14, 2026.  

If you cannot pay via credit card, please call the synod office, 309-794-4004, to discuss your options. 

Scroll down for more information on this year's schedule, speaker and housing information.  

Speaker

2026 PLC Schedule

Monday, September 28

  • 9:30 a.m. Registration at Hope Center Lobby
  • 10:30 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 11:15 a.m. Introductions and Announcements in the Chapel
  • 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in the Dining Hall (Bishop dines with those New to Synod)
  • 1:00 p.m. Presentation I  in the Hope Center
  • 2:45 p.m. Guided Ministry Conversations in the Dining Hall
  • 3:30 p.m. Break
  • 3:45 p.m. Guided Ministry Conversations in the Dining Hall
  • 4:30 p.m. Break
  • 5:00 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants

Tuesday, September 29

  • 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
  • 9 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 10:00 a.m. Break
  • 10:15 a.m. Presentation II in the Hope Center
  • 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in Dining Hall
  • 1:00 p.m. Bishop’s Time in the Chapel
  • 2:30 p.m. Free Time Group activities available
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants

Wednesday, September 30

  • 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
  • 9:00 a.m. Presentation III in the Hope Center
  • 10:00 a.m. Break
  • 10:45 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 12:15 p.m. End of Event

Housing Information

You have four options for overnight accommodations - two on campus and two at nearby hotels. At Lutherdale:  

  • The Hope Center has hotel-like accommodations with private baths. $218 for two nights, plus breakfast, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. There are no rooms available for Sunday night.
  • The Watson Center has camp-like accommodations with shared bathrooms. $105 for two nights, linens, and breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings; $150 for Sunday - Tuesday, plus breakfast all three mornings.
  • Please note that this year, all housing onsite is a separate registration.

To register to stay onsite at Lutherdale, please click here.

 We also have two hotel blocks: 

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 200 W. O'Connor Drive, Elkhorn, WI 53121.  Holiday Inn Website
    • If calling, ask for a room in the Northern Illinois Synod Block or use the Group Code: NIS
    • Sunday Night Rate: $99 plus taxes and fees
    • Monday and Tuesday Rate: $109/night plus taxes and fees
    • Hotel Block cutoff date: September 6, 2026
  • Hampton Inn, 40 W Hidden Trail, Elkhorn, WI 53121, Hampton Inn Website