The South Pacific Division (SPD) exhibition booth is attracting keen interest at the General Conference Session—thanks to its vibrant displays, engaging resources and a partnership with Sanitarium Health Food Company.
It is among the hundreds of booths open to visitors each day in the exhibition hall during the GC Session.
“We are having a constant flow of visitors,” said Andrew Wanke, one of the SPD representatives at the booth. “The Sanitarium food tasting is a popular drawcard.”
As has been done in previous years, Sanitarium and the SPD are sharing a booth space. At one end Sanitarium is serving up samples of Weet-Bix Bites and other health food products. At the other, visitors are invited to explore the mission and impact of the SPD through displays focused on discipleship, education, health, media and more.
Designed by Theodora Pau’u, senior graphic designer for Adventist Media, the SPD booth also features a PNG for Christ display, a photo booth backdrop, TV screens featuring mission videos and a large map of the SPD—the latter proving particularly popular.
“Only about 20 per cent of visitors know where the South Pacific Division is, so we show them the map,” said Mr Wanke. “People are fascinated by the size of our Division.
“People love the colourful graphics and design of the booth—it draws them into the open space where we can just chat and share what we’re doing.”
Beyond conversation, the booth offers a range of ministry resources and tools:
- Disciple-making books from Signs Publishing are being promoted with postcards and QR codes.
- A new picture roll accompanied by a guidebook has gained interest beyond the South Pacific. A leader from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division expressed interest in using it in remote villages of Cambodia and Thailand.
- Avondale University is providing information about study options for international students.
- Thrive, a digital app for pastors, has gained attention from the pastors of other Divisions.
For younger visitors, Australian animal stickers are a hit—with the koala being the favourite.
“Overall, we want to showcase our Division,” Mr Wanke said. “We’re here to bring awareness to others around the world of what we are doing for mission and that we want to also share our resources with them to further God’s kingdom.”
