GAC AU - so when's the next one?

[OzAtheist]

Lots of discussion on the weekend about when and where the next Australian GAC will be.

General consensus I heard was every two years would probably be a) more achievable, b) better (too often could dilute the 'effect'), and c) give the organisers/committee more time between to recuperate :)

Other general consensus was to hold it in different cities each time, with Sydney being the preferred location for the next one.

Considering the huge success of this one (someone needs to do the number crunching on how much money Melbourne made this weekend, especially the bars!) I think we would have a better chance of getting funding from city/state government for the next one. Particularly if we played the old Syd/Mlb rivalry card. :D

So will there be another Atheist Convention in Australia, will the AFA organise it, and when and where would it be?

[BlueDevil]

Being totally selfish I want the next one to be in Melbourne since that is where I live!

However you could mount a realistic argument for Melbourne because it now has a track record for a hugely successful event, so why change. All the knowledge that has been gained from running this event could easily be utilised in organising another Melbourne event.

I agree that every 2 years would probably be a good option - if it was every year I suspect attendances may drop off over time as people become a bit complacent.

[Loki]

While Melbourne was very successful, and the convention center there is perfect, I think it would be a mistake to hold it in Melbourne again (at least for the next one). I am also not sure Sydney would be the best choice either, except it is where some of the more vocal wooists are. Maybe a more regional place would help spread the message better, though 'regional' is probably not the best word to use here. I'm biased towards Brisbane of course, but WA would also be a good choice in my books. Wherever it is i'm fairly sure i'd go.

[owheelj]

Given that most of the organisers live in Melbourne, I think it's probably pretty likely that that's where it will be. The time it took to organise the event presumably means it's much easier if you have active people there, and given the experience of running one event, surely it will be easier to run two. I was told it's likely that the next event will be 2012 by one of the main organisers, but I don't think there's been any serious official discussion yet.

[David Nicholls]

So will there be another Atheist Convention in Australia, will the AFA organise it, and when and where would it be?

OzAtheist,

This is just between you and me. The wheels are already in motion for a convention in two years time. Sorry, but no more questions will be answered on this for some months to come as delicate negotiations are already taking place. The one thing I will mention is that it is going to be big, very big. :)

David

[TimB]

Tops.

[Dan Gleibitz]

no more questions will be answered on this

Okay, let the speculations begin!

My money is on Elton John for the dinner entertainment. :)

[TimB]

Okay, let the speculations begin!

My money is on Elton John for the dinner entertainment. :)

I'd pay extra to see the right most honourable whatever George Pell telling atheist jokes.

[OzAtheist]

OzAtheist,

This is just between you and me.

David

Don't worry, I won't tell a soul. ;)

[Skids]

It's gonna be big huh? Bigger than The Dawk huh? Jeebus is gonna make an appearance with Mo and both declare that the whole Christianity/Islam thing was just a joke that got out of hand. Like crop circles? I bet that there'd still be believers after that in any case. It'd be big though.

[Praxis]

OzAtheist,

This is just between you and me. The wheels are already in motion for a convention in two years time. Sorry, but no more questions will be answered on this for some months to come as delicate negotiations are already taking place. The one thing I will mention is that it is going to be big, very big. :)

David
:eek:

:D:D:D

Lee & David, just let me know when/if I can put my hand up as a volunteer!

[Durro]

It must have :-

* Christopher Hitchens
* Dan Dennet
* Pat Condell
* Sam Harris
* Thunderfoot

and PZ Myers again !

[Darwinsbulldog]

Sign me up for volunteering too!

Just a thought. Next time we could have brainstorming sessions in different rooms on issues raised by the speakers. Strategy/planning groups discussing how to activate for tax reform to stop churches getting tax-free rides. This sort of thing was done on an ad-hoc bases in pubs and cafes between conf sessions, but i think it would be worth considering.

One forum/discussion group I would like to see is a discussion on the emotional investment that the religious have in their faith, and how to combat it. Using logic and evidence is only partly successful in gaining "converts" to atheism.

I have had some modest successes getting theists to open up their minds to science and reason. Sometimes its just a case of an unsuitable education or ignorance.

Anyway, I am quite prepared to moderate/lead one or more of these sessions. Or do some overall organizing. We should utilize the many hundreds of good brains at the conference. The conf was all top-down, and it should have some bottom-up as well. In keeping with the natural emergence of complexity from simple inputs as seen in nature. :-)

[Praxis]

It must have :-

* Christopher Hitchens
* Dan Dennet
* Pat Condell
* Sam Harris
* Thunderfoot

and PZ Myers again !
An email from the AFA has just arrived with a survey. Complete it! This is a great chance to tweak (divinely knob twiddle?!) it and make it even betterer :D

My personal wish list would include:

* Tim Minchin
* Pat Condell
* Nicola Roxon (or any high profile atheist politician really)
* Ayan Hirsi Ali
* John Safran (and Father Bob!) - yes, I know that sounds weird but I really think Fr Bob is a secular humanist in disguise
* Dr Karl & Adam Spencer (I don't actually know if they're atheists but I reckon it's a safe bet and they could do a Sleek Geeks presentation :) )

[Made Of Stars]

OzAtheist,

This is just between you and me. The wheels are already in motion for a convention in two years time. Sorry, but no more questions will be answered on this for some months to come as delicate negotiations are already taking place. The one thing I will mention is that it is going to be big, very big. :)

David
Well, for one thing, Sydney is a f*cking expensive city to hold a conference. Might be better off elsewhere.

[Praxis]

Well, for one thing, Sydney is a f*cking expensive city to hold a conference. Might be better off elsewhere.
Like ... um ... Melbourne! :D

*waves madly to MOS* - so great to meet you!! I apologise if I was a bit, er, "loud" at times ... :o

[Skids]

Sign me up for volunteering too!

Just a thought. Next time we could have brainstorming sessions in different rooms on issues raised by the speakers. Strategy/planning groups discussing how to activate for tax reform to stop churches getting tax-free rides. This sort of thing was done on an ad-hoc bases in pubs and cafes between conf sessions, but i think it would be worth considering.

That could be ugly. Given the choice between returning to listen to Richard Dawkins or continuing to get happy on good beer and spout my opinions in a brainstorming session (forget the second), there's no way I'd go back to the conference and listen to the Dawk. I like company, beer and conversations that interest me. Listening to great (wo)men has it's place, but it's a sober place. :)

Ignore the above. I read pubs and cafe's and droolled. I missed the important bit about it being in different rooms.

[Skids]

I'd offer to volunteer. But given that I did so for the just completed conference, but reneged at the last post for a variety of reasons, all selfish. I don't think it wise to do so again. Given that, I would like to help somehow.

[Lord Blackadder]

An email from the AFA has just arrived with a survey. Complete it! This is a great chance to tweak (divinely knob twiddle?!) it and make it even betterer :D

My personal wish list would include:

* Tim Minchin
* Pat Condell
* Nicola Roxon (or any high profile atheist politician really)
* Ayan Hirsi Ali
* John Safran (and Father Bob!) - yes, I know that sounds weird but I really think Fr Bob is a secular humanist in disguise
* Dr Karl & Adam Spencer (I don't actually know if they're atheists but I reckon it's a safe bet and they could do a Sleek Geeks presentation :) )

Second Tim Minchin. And he must perform "Storm"!

I reckon Adam Spencer would be a shoo-in. I knew him at University and he was my best friend's Maths tutor, and I'm pretty certain he is with us on the Dark Side. I heard him do a speech on chaos theory once on the fly - he is a very eloquant speaker. Team him up with Doctor Karl and you'd pull the punters in. :)

[Caio]

Bloody hell, i absolutely loved the convention, that being said, i think having it every two years or so is a good time gap, but obviously the big question would be where to have it. As has been mentioned, Sydney is probably going to be very expensive, so unless its really big, and perhaps we might get some government funding this time around :mad:, it could be held in Sydney. I'm not familiar enough with the other cities to say much...does Brisbane have the facilities to host something like this?

[Praxis]

You were there?!

Dammit, another one I didn't get to meet.

Seriously people - NAMETAGS!!! :D

[dcvr]

Excellent to hear that the wheels are in motion. :)

Good suggestions so far. Would also like to see invites to:

Dara Ó Briain
Stephen Fry
Germaine Greer
Simon Singh
Marcus du Sautoy
Derren Brown

[Made Of Stars]

Like ... um ... Melbourne! :D

*waves madly to MOS* - so great to meet you!! I apologise if I was a bit, er, "loud" at times ... :o
Hi P, *waves back* I didn't notice you being loud. ;) I'll make sure I point my good ear at you next time. Anyway, count me in. I'll be there, even if it's not in Oz. :cool:

Anyone looking toward TAM in Sydney later in the year?

[Yarra]

Big international events are great but not available to everyone, can they be supported by holding smaller satellite conferences in between, featuring local speakers/acts in the regional ‘cities’, for example Albury.
There is an airport so, as well as locals attending, flying in from Sydney or Melbourne is relatively cheap. Accommodation and venues are also cheaper, especially if you make in the 'off season' June/July/Aug.

[Made Of Stars]

I think the idea of smaller meetings is great!

[Hossain Salahuddin]

Please consider me as a volunteer if the next convention happen to be in Sydney. :D I will take annual leave from work if necessary.

I have immensely enjoyed GAC 2010 at Melbourne and would feel honoured if I an contribute somehow next time. Cheers :)