Three Upcoming Bigfoot Conferences
Posted by: Loren Coleman on May 8th, 2008
What’s in store for human group discussions involving the big hairy bipeds during 2008? Here are some announced gatherings:
20th Annual Bigfoot Conference / EXPO
Don Keating’s 20th Annual Bigfoot Conference / EXPO will occur on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 4 p.m. to about 10 p.m. The location is the Salt Fork State Park Lodge, just off of US Route 22, in Guernsey County, Ohio. The speakers are Igor Bourtsev, Jeff Meldrum, Eric Altman and MK Davis.
East Coast Bigfoot Conference for 2008
Eric Altman’s Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society will hold its conference on September 27, 2008 from noon to 8:00 pm, in the banquet hall located above Pitzers’ Townhouse Restaurant, Jeannette Pennsylvania. Speakers are Diane Stocking, Steve Kulls, Bob Chance, Billy Willard, Tom L, Joe Biello, and Eric Altman.
The Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy (TBRC), hosted by Craig Woolheater, will present the 2008 Texas Bigfoot Conference in Jefferson, Texas, on October 18, 2008. Two speakers have been confirmed: Dr. John Bindernagel and Dr. Henner Fahrenbach.
If you know of other forthcoming large gatherings and meetings, please share the dates and details!
BTW, as evidenced by the names of these organizations and their conferences, I have to observe: So much for the hopes of Grover Krantz that the word “Sasquatch“ would replace “Bigfoot“ in the titles and terminology in use for discussing the hairy unknown hominoids.
From a marketing point of view, “Bigfoot” is more attractive since it is easily recognized, visually evocative, and generally understood by everyone. In most cases, these events have to serve not only as a scientific forum but as entertainment with the goal of raising money. To that end, it is necessary to rope in the casually interested or those who might thing it was something quirk and fun to do on a Saturday.
A few years back, I attended a paranormal conference in Tulsa, OK. They brought in some heavy-hitters in the field who spoke at length and in a technical fashion about the study of Hauntings, etc… You could practically hear the collective yawn (and regret) from the casually interested for having plopped down their hard earned money for the admission. They wanted fun. The researchers wanted a quality lecture. It was tough for them to find a middle ground between mass appeal and respectability.
As a designer, I understand the need to communicate ideas and “sell product” but as someone intersted in the subject, I agree with you, Loren. It’s a shame that there isn’t a more dignified term.