In keeping with recent trends for national US skeptical organizations to work more closely together to advance shared aims, the James Randi Educational Foundation is very pleased to announce that other national skeptics organizations will formally be supporting this year's Amazing Meeting, held July 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For the first time in the history of The Amazing Meeting, both The Skeptics Society, as well as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (formerly C.S.I.C.O.P.), will officially be co-sponsors of the event, providing both financial and promotional support to the JREF for the meeting. Ronald A. Lindsay, President & CEO of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry stated, "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in TAM this year in this official capacity. This collaboration will benefit all skeptics. We appreciate the efforts of JREF to make this possible and are happy to be able to provide speakers and support for this truly Amazing Meeting." Says Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic Magazine, and president of the Skeptics Society, based in Los Angeles: "It has always been our pleasure to support TAM, which we have done in various ways every year since the beginning. TAM is such a fantastic annual skeptics conference, drawing attendees from around the world. By officially co-sponsoring this year, we only hope to further increase the impact of this amazing event."
James Randi, in celebration of the organizations coming together to support TAM, said: "This will be yet another step forward in the increasing co-operation between major skeptical agencies who share views about rationality and ethics in the treatment of claims relating to occult, supernatural, or paranormal events."
This year's event features the largest array of speakers ever, including representatives from all three national skeptic organizations. Based on current numbers, attendance will likely surpass last year's total of over 1000.
In addition to the organizational co-sponsorship, this year's Amazing Meeting will also feature a panel discussion focusing on the origins of the modern skeptics movement, and the beginnings of C.S.I.C.O.P. The panel, scheduled for Friday, July 9th, will feature James Randi, Ray Hyman, Paul Kurtz, Ken Frazer and Martin Gardner (by video recording).
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