The Atheist Foundation of Australia (AFA) has cancelled the 2018 Global Atheist Convention, which was set to run from 9-11 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, due to poor ticket sales.

As previously reported by Books+Publishing, UK author Salman Rushdie was to headline the convention. Other international guests included UK author Richard Dawkins, UK science writer Ben Goldacre, UK comedian and broadcaster Robin Ince, US authors Annie Laurie Gaylor and Greta Christina, and US author and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker.

In a statement on its website, AFA said ticket sales were ‘substantially below expectations and below the levels for previous conventions’. The organisation had secured Victorian government funding for the event.

The AFA said it will refund tickets, but added that it is ‘working through the costs of cancellation and to confirm its overall financial position, so it may take some time before any refunds can be processed’.

Category: Local news