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ATHEISTS SELECT DES MOINES, IOWA, AS VENUE FOR 2011 CONVENTION
April 21-24, 2011
Cranford, NJ–AMERICAN ATHEISTS, major advocacy group for nonbeliever civil rights and state-church separation, announced today that it has chosen Des Moines, Iowa, as the host city for its April, 2011, National Convention.
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that the decision was based on many factors, including value for members, accessibility, an interesting city, and the convention theme: “Atheists Caucus in the Heartland.”
“The major factor, though,” according to Buckner, “was the rapidly growing activism and presence of Atheist, Freethought, Secular, Skeptical, and Humanist groups throughout the region. We have been very impressed by this, and want to do all we can to help and to further energize these groups. In Iowa specifically, groups like Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers, Iowa Secularists, Iowa State University Atheist and Agnostic Society, Siouxland Atheists, University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers, University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers, and Skeptics in the Pub of Central Iowa are making tremendous progress in the never ending struggle for rationality and religious liberty.”
The convention will run from April 21-24, 2011 at the Embassy Suites on the River, 101 E. Locust Street, Des Moines. The hotel has agreed to a fantastic rate of $99 for a suite, with a full breakfast and evening snack. Buckner noted, “Convention registration fees have been set at a low $149 (same as last year), and significant discounts will be offered to members, early registerers, students, and possibly others.” See www.atheists.org for details.
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists, said the event usually attracts around 500 people from throughout the country. “We will also have international guests, and we think the 2011 meeting will attract people from throughout the country because of its wonderful central location.”
Silverman added that the Convention includes speakers, panels, activism workshops, and social events.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
Hotel Information:
Embassy Suites on-line Registration form, Telephone 515-559-0089, Group Code AMA
Buy Tickets Online Now!
or reserve by phone at 908.276.7300
At the annual meeting (and afterwards) there was a survey circulated asking members to provide their input on which FFRF billboard ought to be put up in Des Moines (IS branding will also be added). The billboards contained quotes from Thomas Paine, James Madison, and John F. Kennedy, respectively, regarding church and state separation. The two front-runners based on the responses thus far are below:
It has been suggested that since Des Moines has already had billboards and bus signs in the past, that perhaps a new location would be better and bring more exposure to our efforts. It has been suggested that Cedar Rapids may be a better location so we will pursue it in Cedar Rapids. If you know of locations or, better yet, marketing company contacts in Cedar Rapids to speak with about placement of the billboard, please contact me at sfedler[at]iowasecularists[dot]org.
If you haven’t voted for your choice, send me a note at the address above and let your voice be heard in picking out a billboard.
In order to begin getting some steam behind this effort, we need your financial support. We are estimating a need for about $3,000 to make this happen. Please use the button below to donate directly to the Billboard Campaign. All donations in this manner will go solely to the placement of the winning billboard.
If you’re so inclined, I also encourage you to check out our “Join and Contribute” page and become a member of IS so we can continue to support activities such as this among not only ourselves, but also among the many secular groups around the state. Your support and input make it happen!
Please be advised, I have today signed a contract with the Embassy Suites on the River (www.embassysuitesdesmoines.com) in Des Moines, Iowa, to serve as the host hotel for the American Atheists National Convention for 21-24 April 2011.
More to come, of course, but we will be issuing a news release on this fairly soon, stressing a number of reasons for choosing this city, the most important of which is rapidly growing strength and diverse dynamic leaders for Atheism in this politically crucial and interesting state. A number of state and local Atheist and freethought or humanist organizations in Iowa have expressed strong support for American Atheists holding the convention in Des Moines, and nationally known Iowa Atheists like Hector Avalos have also eagerly supported the idea.
We will have a great convention in 2011–with your help. Please keep me posted, as I will you.
Regards to all,
Ed B.
ED BUCKNER, President
American Atheists
www.atheists.org
ebuckner@atheists.org
908-499-9200 cell
770-803-5353 tel/fax, GA office
Representatives of most of the local secular groups in Iowa met last night in Des Moines with Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists. While Ed stated he is still in negotiations with two Des Moines hotels, it’s a 95-98% certainty that the convention will be in Des Moines. We’ve even beat out Las Vegas, HA! We will likely know within the next couple days if the certainty reaches 100%, but definitely soon.
The convention will likely bring around 300-400 people to Des Moines, and maybe more depending on which speakers they can get to confirm. The AA convention is always Easter weekend, so it would be late April 2011.
Mr. Buckner looked forward to collaborating with all the local groups, using the local groups to help promote the convention, but also looked forward to helping out the local groups as much as possible to increase the awareness of the secular community around the state. He was encouraged by the fact that we had about 30 people there last night to meet with him, which bodes well for Iowa.
It’s obvious this will be a big boost for both the Iowa Secularists, and all the local groups. We can play active roles in promotion of the AA convention, as well as our own groups by manning booths at the convention, or coordinating with all the local groups to fill out the necessary volunteer spots that will be needed.
Exciting times are ahead and the IS looks forward to participating in this collaboration!
Scott Fedler
Chair, Iowa Secularists
Ed Buckner, president of the American Atheists, wrote me stating the AA will most likely be holding their 2011 convention in Des Moines!!!
AA is in the final stages of negotiating a contract with a hotel to host and things look VERY favorable. So favorable, in fact, that Ed Buckner is coming to Des Moines at the end of July and wants to meet with YOU, and any other atheist, humanist, secularist, freethinker, etc. who is available.
The meeting is likely going to be Monday, July 26th at 7:00pm at the Embassy Suites on the River at 101 E. Locust, Des Moines. If you’re available, he wants YOU there to tell him how this will impact the secular community in Iowa and, most importantly, how YOU can help.
The Iowa Secularists stand ready to help bring the AA convention to Des Moines in 2011 and looks forward to be an integral part of the planning and execution of the convention as much as possible. As with any news of this size, any individual help and input you could provide to Mr. Buckner on Monday, July 26th would be just awesome.
If you plan on attending, please contact Mr. Buckner directly to RSVP so he can plan accordingly. His contact information is:
Ed Buckner
President (retiring soon)
American Atheists
www.atheists.org
ebuckner@atheists.org
908-499-9200 (cell)
770-803-5353 (office/fax)
More details to come as AA negotiations proceed and the exact meeting room on July 26th is known. Score one for Iowa!
Scott Fedler
Chair, Iowa Secularists
