Let's Talk About Conferences

So, this blog is not for the faint of heart. I am going to lay it on the line, give you the straight poop and set the record straight.....all while trying to be a nice guy and not name those people involved. While you may figure it out, I'll still try to be a nice guy.

I'm currently attending a conference in Southern California. It's aboard a historical landmark. It's aboard a historical landmark that I haven't believed is haunted for years....but that apart, it's a great place to visit.

Remember, my opinion.

This conference has had red flags waving from the beginning. Two of the most important speakers bowed out just before the conference and they were the speakers one would really want to see when going to a conference that deals with their line of work. I know, this is really stretching it without actually saying it, but sorry.....names are withheld to protect the innocent (well, there's really no one considered innocent here and that has nothing to do with it but, whatever).

So one speaker just bowed out for reasons. That's okay I guess. Things happen. The other for a family commitment?? Doesn't that sound a lot like he already knew there was something going on in his family entity? It didn't say emergency which means right now stat!! Funny that.

So, this conference has been so disorganized from the beginning and yet, there is such "analocity" about who gets to attend and who doesn't that they even copied an important card's number from each person when checking in. The person putting it on says he spoke to his attorney who said you need to know exactly who you're letting in so copy this number down. Hmmmm, incredible invasion of privacy but double question that attorney regarding his idea of what is and isn't identity theft, but anyway.....

You pay an outrageous amount of money to hear speakers that say the same thing at every conference save for one or two plus you can't hear the speakers because the conference provider is carrying on his own conversations in the back of the room. Wow!! No room for consideration here.

You get to go on investigations in a circus-like atmosphere with 25 people in each group and are supposed to try to capture pictures or EVP or anything with any other equipment you have while film makers are interviewing people, carrying rather large lights and sticking cameras in your face especially if you are the two girls trying desperately to be on camera. All while trying to capture these EVP's or hear noises, voices, bangs or thuds. Actually it was the conference provider who was a whole "floor" up shouting questions to the supposed ghost that haunts the area we were in all the while having the large light and camera pointed up to that floor from below.

While I'm all for documenting any possible paranormal activity, this bordered on insanity. The rest of us were desperately trying to be quiet and capture anything other than these other things going on with the ring master and his court. Incidentally, it was he who stated in no uncertain terms that we should "shut up" and allow us all, in each group, an opportunity to try to capture any EVP's or pictures. Is that considered an oxymoron?

I am well aware of the insanity that takes place at conferences having held them for almost 10 years now. I know how difficult it can be to gain control and keep control of a large group which is why I have opted for smaller groups now. But to add fuel to the fire by shouting from above was just bad form.

One last tidbit, this conference started on a Thursday night with their "meet-and-greet". Very difficult for people trying to get to these things because of work (which, incidentally, people need to be very aware of lest they lose theirs to another at a lesser pay).

I think, again, my opinion, that conference providers need to be more aware of what avenues are best for the people attending, i.e., cost, venue, local hotels and eateries, etc. They should also be mindful of speakers who say the same thing all the time and those that really have something to offer the paranormal community. People that put these things on to promote themselves or their own agendas make it very difficult for people that want to learn, want to network or just become more advanced and get into a haunted place they couldn't normally get into, is really kind of selfish. We, as conference providers, need to be more aware of those people who sign up for these things. They are the ones who make these things happen. Forget all our own agendas!! Help out Joe Doe so that he can learn more and be a better investigator/hunter and the paranormal community will have a step up from the craziness that goes on out there all the time from those that don't know what they're doing because they haven't been taught.

I can't say too much about this conference other than it was nice to meet up with people I haven't seen in a long time and to pick up some interesting books that will keep me busy reading for awhile. It's a shame but that's the way these things go sometimes!! Make certain you check out EVERYTHING about the conference you're attending before you plunk down those hard earned dollars. Remember, your consumer dollars help fuel this economy and your vote, er, uh, dollars count!!

In the meantime, I won't be attending another conference (my last one besides what we have put on was about 5 years ago) for a L-O-N-G time. I believe I've lost my taste for them for awhile again.

Happy ghost hunting!!