With the 2010 Let Live Conference now over and out, let’s focus on some of the other upcoming animal rights conferences that are just about upon us. ‘Tis the season, after all.
Coming up on July 7-11, Vegetarian Summerfest will be held in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Highlights of that conference include Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr. and Milton Mills. This is one that I’m pretty devastated about missing. As hippie-dippy as it looks — and I mean that with love (and rainbows) — there are some excellent speakers, and it kind of looks like Vegan Camp.
www.arconference.org
Following that, on July 15-19, the Animal Rights National Conference will be taking place in Washington, D.C. In addition to 90 speakers from 60 organizations, those who attend this year’s conference will have the awesome opportunity to see the film Bold Native (which I reviewed on a recent podcast episode), as well as Skin Trade (which our reviewer, Kyle, reviewed on another recent podcast episode).
Hang out in DC for another week and you’ll probably find yourself at Taking Action for Animals 2010, which takes place on July 23-26. They’ve also got quite an impressive list of speakers, including Che Green from Humane Research Council and Karen Dawn from DawnWatch.
(While you’re in DC, be sure to stop by Sticky Fingers Bakery, and pick up a breakfast sandwich as well as several dozen cupcakes.)
Then, head to upstate New York for the Farm Sanctuary Country Hoe Down, where — in addition to being wooed and awed by Shelter Director Susie Coston, you’ll no-doubt be enlightened and educated by T. Colin Campbell. I can tell you first-hand that the Hoe Downs are an extra-special experience, because when you’re not in the People Barn watching presentations, you’ll be busy visiting the hundreds of animal residents who call Farm Sanctuary “home.” There’s kind of nothing better than that.
There are, of course, other animal rights themed conferences — including tons that focus on doggies and kitties. These are just a few of the major ones, and/or the ones that focus more specifically on farm animal issues. Please feel free to list some of your other faves in the comment section below.
Conferences are special experiences. For many people, they are the only time of year when they are around other like-minded people. For some, the folks they meet at these conferences become their email and Facebook buddies, and — like camp — they look forward to seeing their summer friends each year. If you haven’t been to an animal rights conference yet, treat yourself.
Remember: while you’re at these conferences, be sure to be armed with a pen and notebook. And don’t just doodle, either: take real notes! And try to create a tangible project for yourself that you can see through come the fall.