The Southern Baptist Convention is preparing for one of its largest annual gatherings in recent years as an estimated 20,000 attendees are expected in Orlando, Florida, for the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference on June 7–10 at the Orange County Convention Center.
Dr. Richard Land, former president of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said the increased attendance “reflects a growing spirit of optimism about the SBC’s future.” He pointed to rising baptism numbers, stronger church attendance and recent leadership transitions within SBC entities as signs of encouragement across the denomination.
Convention officials reported strong interest months before the event, with hotel reservations quickly surpassing expectations. More than 13,000 attendees are expected to serve as official messengers representing Southern Baptist churches during business sessions.
“This will be our largest annual meeting since Nashville in 2021, and we can’t wait to see SBC families from across the country come together in Orlando,” said Jonathan Howe.
