Conventions & Events

2009 National FFRF Convention

32nd Annual Convention
Red Lion Hotel
Fifth Avenue
Seattle, Washington
The Weekend of November 6-8, 2009

Visit our 2009 convention page

Ron Reagan, self-described “unabashed atheist,” well-known radio host, Seattle resident and son of Pres. Ronald Reagan, will headline the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s 32nd annual national convention in Seattle on the weekend of Nov. 6–8, 2009.

The Red Lion Hotel on Fifth Avenue, with an ideal location in downtown Seattle, is the site. The Foundation is returning to the venue of its 2004 Northwest Mini-Convention.

The Foundation plans an upbeat gala event.

Speakers include Ron Reagan, Ursula K. LeGuin, William Lobdell, Jennifer Hecht, Barry Kosmin, & sociologist Phil Zuckerman

Note: The Red Lion Inn ballroom has seating limitations. Please plan ahead! Every year there are members disappointed they did not reserve their hotel room in time. Consider making flight arrangements now while rates are favorable. Area FFRF members are also invited to register early so FFRF can juggle space requirements. Hotel rooms may now be reserved at the Red Lion Inn for $159.00 single or double occupancy, $179.00 triple occupancy and $199.00 quadruple occupancy. Phone 1-800-504-3909 or 206-971-8000 identifying yourself with the Freedom From Religion Foundation to receive the group rate, by no later than Oct. 16, 2009.

The convention begins at 7 p.m. (registration opens earlier) on Fri., Nov. 6. A complimentary dessert reception follows the Friday night opening. The convention continues through Saturday. The annual membership and Board of Directors meetings take place on Sunday morning. Convention emcees are Foundation co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor.

Two optional group meals will be offered (a nice way to socialize): the traditional Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast, and the Saturday night banquet. (See menu below.) Per membership vote, there will be a 2-hour midday break for lunch/sightseeing on your own.

Saturday’s banquet dinner starts with the Red Lion House Salad (mixed seasonal leafy greens, diced apple, candied spiced almonds and shredded carrot with choice of dressing), and features Chicken Chardonnay, tender sauteed chicken topped with a Yakima Valley Chardonnay wine sauce, artichoke hearts and fresh mushrooms. Dinner includes chef’s choice of starch, artisan breads and butter, freshly brewed coffee or decaf, hot or iced tea. (A vegetarian entree is available.) The meal concludes with Truffle Ganache: chocolate chiffon cake and Belgium semisweet chocolate ganache. $50 includes the 20% gratuity.

FFRF Convention 08

Click here for speeches, videos, etc.

The weekend of Oct. 10-12, 2008
Hyatt Regency Chicago

Upcoming Events & Appearances

Tempe, Arizona, June 6, 2009

Dan Barker and Steve Benson will present "Tunes 'n Toons" at the annual convention of the American Humanist Association on Saturday, June 6, at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona. To register for the event, see americanhumanist.org/what_we_do/annual_conference. Also see more about "Tunes 'n Toons".

Alabama, July 3-5

See FFRF's Lake Hypatia Advance.

Amherst, New York, July 26

Dan Barker will speak about "Government Without God" at the Center For Inquiry's "Summer Session" on Sunday, July 26, 2009, the final day of a 5-day conference at the CFI headquarters. For more information, see centerforinquiry.net/education/schedule.

Columbus, Ohio, August 7-9

Dan Barker will talk at the annual conference of the Secular Student Alliance the weekend of August 7-9, 2009, at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. For details and reservation see Secular Student Alliance Conference.

Syracuse, New York, October 1, 2009

Dan Barker will talk to the Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers Alliance at SU SUNY/ESF (Facebook page) on Thursday, October 1, 2009. For more details, email the student group at atheistsatsu@gmail.com or Jim Addoms at jwaddoms@maxwell.syr.edu.