Imladris
Summer in Oregon

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
— Thorin Oakenshield

Envision a vineyard in a Shire-like setting. Now add gardens and waterfalls, an abbey and ale made by methodical monks. We come to the garden to find rest for souls and reflection for our upcoming quests.

This is the flagship feast. Three days for people who work in, or beside, Interactive Entertainment and call Christ Lord. Closer to a birthday at Bag End than a trade show. We care more about the right questions than a stack of answers.

The doors are open, but the seats are limited to 120 — as many as can still meet in one gathering before it becomes an audience. Ask for a chair. If the list runs longer than the hall, we will draw lots and pray over the names.

~~ Who are you calling, Lord? Who is ready, Father? Who needs this now? ~~

What is this again?

The Imladris Retreat is not a fan convention, a trade show, or a pitch room. Designers, engineers, artists, writers, musicians, producers, professors, and other allies who have a stake in this industry and a King above it. We come together because we feel in our bones that Interactive isn’t only the place we work, but it’s where we call home. Think 'Family Reunion' and you're not far off.

We come because in person there is no neutral ground. We come with open hearts because the workers are few. We come bruised and roadworn because a brutal season is exactly when weary people need a table, not another webinar.

You will hear us discussing questions like these:

• If you were king or queen of the game industry — given only authority and favor over the world as it is — what would you do?
• How is such a kingdom measured, compared to a company or a ministry?
• What does the industry need most in order to thrive?
• What does the smaller circle of Christian game creators need?
• What does the world need from us? What does it not need?

By definition, the event must be Spiritual, Mythic, and Strategic. We settle our Why before working on How. And we know, from experience, that our guests are often a little wounded - by the world, by our church, and by the enemy who wants nothing more than to cause you to question your calling. So extra grace and kindness is not only decoration - It is the spirit we live and breathe by.

What a chair costs

The first time should not be the reason you stay home...nor the second.

A newcomer cannot judge this table from a rate card - how can we even begin to put a price on a healed heart? So the first Imladris is meant as an invitation, not invoice. First-time guests enjoy a 75% discount at the generosity of our sponsors. And if this is your second gathering, you still get half-off as the work of grace often takes time to settle in. Beyond that, we aim to price the event similarly to comparative retreats, though to be honest there really is nothing like this. When you get to the registration page the form asks if this is your first, second, or later Imladris and the prices adjust accordingly.

If price is the only thing standing between you and June, write. Do not let a spreadsheet disciple you out of a feast.

Pre-register

The final venue is still being selected so we invite you to pre-register, put a card on file, and indicate your intent now. Nothing is charged until the room is locked and your place is confirmed. If more hands go up than our 120 person capacity then we will draw lots and pray over the names.

Pre-register today → Write the hall with any questions or requests →