Atheist Alliance/Texas Freethought Convention Oct 7-9 Houston TX

[xphobe]

Calling all Godless Americans!

Announcing the 4th Annual Texas Freethought Convention, Co-Sponsored by Atheist Alliance International.

This is a three day event!

Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, Eugenie Scott and a whole lot of talent and activities will be at the event.  Freethought type movies, dancing, schmoozing, people from out of town mixing with people in town. It's gonna be a blast.

Expect more A-list talent soon to be released.

This event is a mixture of AAI's International/national focus and TFC's grass roots community focus, brought together into one event.  It's family friendly, kid friendly, student affordable and will have musicians, comedians, interactive discussion panels, workshops, seminars, after parties, socializing and whatever else you bring into the event.

Prices for Tickets, Hotel, Food and other specifics will be available on the following sites as they become available.
Join the mailing list on our site to get updates on pricing and talent info.

Texas Freethought Convention
www.texasfreethoughtconvention.com
https://www.facebook.com/TexasFreethoughtConvention

Atheist Alliance International
http://www.atheistalliance.org/

[xphobe's note: they haven't announced prices yet, but be warned, last year's convention wasn't cheap.  I tell you this so that you might have less of a sticker shock than I did last year.  Hopefully they will consider that these are tough economic times for all of us.]

[Omen]

I'll be there

[jetson]

As much as I would love to see RD, his presence alone is going to make this years conf a freaking nightmare.  I would say get your tickets and rooms early for sure!

Here's hoping it will be both awesome and accessible!

[Omen]

As much as I would love to see RD, his presence alone is going to make this years conf a freaking nightmare.  I would say get your tickets and rooms early for sure!

Here's hoping it will be both awesome and accessible!

I live in Katy, so its like a 30 - 40 minute drive to the hotel.

[jetson]

Dibs on Omens spare room!

[Omen]

Dibs on Omens spare room!

its filled with a live in cousin of my spouse.  I do have a large pen meant for a reptile of some kind in the back yard.

[xphobe]

And I'm about 30-40 minutes on the other side of the hotel, but I have two spare rooms, and no lizards.

Ever notice how in Houston, everything is about 30-40 minutes from everything?

[LadyLucy]

The only way I wouldn't be able to go is if:

A. My baby turns out to be very loud and disruptive (some babies are calmer than others!)
B. My mom gives me some bull-shit reason not to go, despite the fact I am on my own (living with parents during that time period)
C. I am busy through an appointment of some sort
D. I forget about it, which I don't plan to do

It's a 45-minute drive towards the convention, but it's so interesting that I don't want to miss it.  I wish I lived closer to the destination; it would cut me some slack for the pretty long drive from The Woodlands!

Ever notice how in Houston, everything is about 30-40 minutes from everything?

Hell yes, and it's so boring and it sucks!  Why must it be like that!?

[xphobe]

A. My baby turns out to be very loud and disruptive (some babies are calmer than others!)

In years past, some of the members have organized day care services on-site (a Medal of Special Commendation and Valourous Bravery for Whitney and her gang), but I don't know if it's planned this time, and probably not for babies that young anyway.  It would probably be better to try and sweet talk Mom into being a sitter for the day...

D. I forget about it, which I don't plan to do

And we don't plan to let you forget about it, either! 

[LadyLucy]

It would probably be better to try and sweet talk Mom into being a sitter for the day...

I wish! I'll definitely try to talk it over with my mother. I just have to attend this convention!

And we don't plan to let you forget about it, either!

Already I am eagerly waiting for those tickets and hotel prices to show up so I can pay. I'm not letting money go to waste. 

Edit: Fixed quotes.

[Zankuu]

Only a two hour drive for me. I'll be there this year. 

[Omen]

Should we make a plan to meetup at the convention?  Photo opportunity?

[Zankuu]

Should we make a plan to meetup at the convention?  Photo opportunity?

I'd love to shake hands with some fellow WWGHAers. I'll bring my camera!

[Omen]

Eugenie C. Scott is a rockstar.

[LadyLucy]

Should we make a plan to meetup at the convention?  Photo opportunity?

That's awesome! We should do it.

I'll be the young, short girl walking around, as if confused/anxious.  (I point this out because it's really obvious, apparently)

And I'll make sure to bring a camera as well.

[xphobe]

We've got plenty of time to figure out how/when to meet up.   I'm thinking about setting up a WWGHA table.  That would be the easiest.

Oh also there is apparently going to be an atheist blood drive at the convention, so be sure to eat your liver and spinach the night before, and drink plenty of water about an hour before donating!  Remember, a pint of atheist blood has saved more lives than all the holy water in Lourdes.

[jetson]

Yes, I will be coming in from San Antonio, so we definitely need to find a way to meet up.  Last year, in Dallas, I met Matt Dillahunty and Aaron Ra.  We are sending our son to Camp Quest as a result of meeting the folks at the last convention, and letting him hang out with the group while we attended the conference.

You won't meet a nicer, more honest group of people, in my opinion!

[Zankuu]

xphobe, can you ballpark what you think this will cost me?

[xphobe]

xphobe, can you ballpark what you think this will cost me?

Well, the prices have gone up each year.  Last year the TFC in Dallas was $90 for 3 days, though there was an early bird signup discount and also students get a discount.

But this year it is co-sponsored by the AAI, so maybe they can absorb some of the costs.   Or it could be more because they think two sponsors are better than one. I have no idea how they're going to sell it.

I just did a room rate check for Hilton Americas for those dates, and the lowest rate was $127/night advance purchase.   Remember, whenever you book any hotel, ALWAYS ask them THREE times "Are there any discounted rates you can give me?"  "Are you sure that is your very best rate?" and so on.  It's a standard industry trick.

This is the baseball stadium/convention center district.  There may be other less expensive hotels/hostels/b&b's in the area.  I'll have to do some looking.

So as a VERY rough ballpark, figure 127*2+90 = $344, plus meals, plus gas.  But don't let money put you off.  I'm sure there are creative ways to cut costs.

[Zankuu]

Thanks x! That's more than doable if I start saving up now.

Oh and LadyA, the convention homepage says:

educational child care for the kids and much more.

It just doesn't have any details on age and whatnot so you might want to give them a ring. 

[Tinyal]

I'll start seeing if I & the little lady can make it - have never been to any such organized event!  Heck, the last 'organized' anything we've been to was when Queen was opening for the Starship in NY....
That'll date me real quick!


PS if we do end up going, we'd be travelling from So Cal - perhaps others in this area want to join up for the trip?

[LadyLucy]

Oh and LadyA, the convention homepage says:

educational child care for the kids and much more.

It just doesn't have any details on age and whatnot so you might want to give them a ring. 

My baby is not a "kid" though! He can't run around, nor be "educated"!  [He'll "listen", but will respond with gargles and bubbles.]

Although, the "much more" looks promising. I don't want my baby getting sick by any chance though, because by that time, at most, he will be only 3 months old. I'll give them a call about that.

[xphobe]

Heck, the last 'organized' anything we've been to was when Queen was opening for the Starship in NY....
That'll date me real quick!

Hey, at least it was the Starship and not the Airplane!

Wow, if you guys can make it, that would be absolutely awesome.  Talk Madbunny into driving, and you won't even have to stick to the paved roads!

[commie_atheist]

i will be going as well.  i only live 15 minutes from downtown houston. 

[jetson]

i will be going as well.  i only live 15 minutes from downtown houston.

Well, this changes everything.   Are you going to behave?   

[commie_atheist]

i will be going as well.  i only live 15 minutes from downtown houston.

Well, this changes everything.   Are you going to behave?   

no way!   

[Omen]

We've got plenty of time to figure out how/when to meet up.   I'm thinking about setting up a WWGHA table.  That would be the easiest.

What would setting up a table mean exactly?

[xphobe]

^ not sure, exactly.  It could be as simple as making a sign and taping it to the wall - a visible reference point where we could meet.  Or maybe they'd let me print up some stuff from the website and distribute it.  I dunno yet.  I've emailed Staise but have not heard back.  They might not let me do anything, in which case I'll just have to wear my hat.  That should be pretty visible.

Of course, I already know what you look like so I shouldn't have much trouble finding you, unless you wear your alien face hugger, in which case I'd be completely stumped... 

[Omen]

^ not sure, exactly.  It could be as simple as making a sign and taping it to the wall - a visible reference point where we could meet.  Or maybe they'd let me print up some stuff from the website and distribute it.  I dunno yet.  I've emailed Staise but have not heard back.  They might not let me do anything, in which case I'll just have to wear my hat.  That should be pretty visible.

Of course, I already know what you look like so I shouldn't have much trouble finding you, unless you wear your alien face hugger, in which case I'd be completely stumped... 

If we pose for pics, I'll probably bring it.