Summer CPE
St. Charles Convention Center | St. Charles, MO
August 2 - 4, 2026
Speakers
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Sunday Praise & Worship Keynote Speaker, Sponsored by HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Brant Hansen is considered one of the top radio hosts in the country. Brant is a sought-after and award-winning speaker, known for a style that manages to be direct, hilarious and disarming.
He also works as a "Storyteller" with CURE International, a global network of hospitals and programs for children with correctible disabilities. Brant was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome as an adult and talks about it extensively on his radio show. He has also written multiple books, including his upcoming release from HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Living Unoffended.
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Monday Morning Devotions, Sponsored by Penguin Random House
Annie F. Downs is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after speaker and successful podcast host based in Nashville, TN. Known for her engaging and honest style, Annie makes readers and listeners feel like long-time friends. She is the co-founder of the That Sounds Fun Network, home to her flagship podcast, That Sounds Fun.
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Sunday Evening Keynote Speaker, Sponsored by BroadStreet
John James is a founding member and former lead singer of the globally successful Christian rock band, The Newsboys. With six albums, multiple Dove and Grammy nominations, and millions of records sold, John’s career has made a lasting impact on the music industry. Now dedicated to ministry, John shares his powerful testimony of redemption and second chances with audiences worldwide.
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Monday Evening Artist, Sponsored by Provident Label Group
For singer-songwriter Leanna Crawford, playing guitar and writing poetry is her artistic vehicle to navigate her faith in a world of insecurities and difficulties. In 2024, Crawford released her debut album with Provident Label Group, Still Waters, with songs that feel like a journal entry—infused with her personal reflections and experiences. At the 2025 K-Love Fan Awards, she won Breakout Single of the Year for the album’s title track. Crawford is also the reigning GMA Dove Award winner for New Artist of the Year.
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Monday Evening Keynote Speaker, Sponsored by Tyndale House Publishers
Randy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to starting EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is the bestselling author of over sixty books (over 12 million sold), including the novels Deadline, Dominion, and Deception, as well as The Chasm, Safely Home, and Courageous. His nonfiction works include Happiness; Heaven; If God Is Good; Managing God's Money; Money, Possessions, and Eternity; The Treasure Principle; The Grace and Truth Paradox; The Purity Principle; and The Promise of the New Earth.
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Tuesday Morning Devotions, Sponsored by Moody Publishers
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and is the mother of two sons. She is the author of The Promise Is His Presence, Everyday Faithfulness, Memorizing Scripture, and Known and Loved. She is a member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Sikeston, Missouri, where she and her husband have served for over twenty years.
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Sunday-Tuesday Praise & Worship Music Leader, Sponsored by AWSA
Babbie Mason is a two-time Dove Award winning Christian singer, songwriter, author and TV talk show host, who remains a favorite artist to a very dedicated audience. A Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee, Babbie Mason has 26 recorded projects to her credit and authored nine books.
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CPE Emcee
Brock Eastman is an award-winning writer, with a degree in marketing and works for David C. Cook, leading the Action Bible brand portfolio and developing digital products and content for the children’s WonderInk curriculum. Previously, he was a producer and podcast host for Adventures in Odyssey and the marketing lead for kids and parenting products at Focus on the Family. He managed the Compassion Experience, which traveled across the United States, sharing the true stories of children living in poverty. He is the author of The Quest for Truth series, Bedtime on Noah’s Ark, Daddy’s Favorite Sound, Mommy’s Favorite Smell, Imagination Station series, Showdown with the Shepherd, Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop, Edge of the Galaxy, and more. He loves playing games, cooking with his wife, and reading stories to his four kids each night, who have also been co-authors on several of his projects.
An Evening with Tammy Trent
Join us as we kick off CPE with a celebration of faith and freedom!
All attendees are invited to an evening of lively music, mingling and fun at the CPE Summer 2026 Welcome Reception, sponsored by David C Cook, on Saturday, August 1, from 7-9 PM.
Get ready for a patriotic jamboree packed with carnival games, food and even a pie-eating contest that’s sure to bring out your competitive side.
And for the main event, a concert with the evening’s headliner—renowned speaker, author and recording artist Tammy Trent. As Tammy takes the stage, she’ll share encouraging personal stories and songs of grief, healing and hope that will remind you that God is always present and at work in your life.
After her performance, guests can meet Tammy in person at the exclusive book signing.
CPE Schedule
Patriotic Dress Up Day!
Prizes awarded for:
Most Patriotic Booth
Most Original Patriotic Attire
Best Ensemble
Best Couple
HOTEL DETAILS
Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis
Two Convention Center Plaza | Saint Charles, MO 63303
A discounted room block is available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, conveniently connected to the convention center.
Discounted Rate: $209 per night
DISCOUNTED ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE July 30 - August 5, 2026
Please use the “Book Your Room” link below to ensure you receive CPE’s group discount.
NOTE: Retailers must use the CPE room block at this hotel to qualify for reimbursement.
DEADLINE TO RESERVE YOUR ROOM AT THE DISCOUNTED RATE IS JUNE 29*
*Be sure to book your room before they sell out.
St. Charles Convention Center
1 Convention Center Blvd, St Charles, MO 63303
Less than 10 miles from the St. Louis Lambert International Airport