The schedule and speaker list for the Very Big Atheist Conference of 2012 has been finalized! Set to be held in Devil's Corner, Wisconsin, there are some very exciting sessions planned, and some of your favorite atheist bloggers, writers, and activists will be there. The 2011 conference sold out early -- so be sure to get your tickets now!

SUNDAY, APRIL 1

Noon - 1:00 pm

The Santa Delusion: Building the Next Generation of Atheists

Workshop for toddlers

Nosmo King

Co-sponsored by the Secular Pre-School Alliance



1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

The 2012 Mayan Calendar, and How My Boobs Will Bring About The End of the World -- This Time For Sure!

Jen McCreight



3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Atheism and Caprian Combustibility

Dr. David Mabus



4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

American Atheists unveil new billboard campaign:

"Oh, Come On, You Can't Possibly Believe This Stupid Bullshit"

David Silverman, president



6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Dinner and keynote address:

Look, I'm Sorry About The Whole Narwhal Thing, Okay?

PZ Myers



8:30-pm - 10:00 pm

Cocktails

Hosted by JT Eberhard, Rebecca Watson, and Jen McCreight



10:00 PM - 6:00 AM

Horizontal networking

Main hotel; specific locations TBD



MONDAY, APRIL 2



7:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast with new friends

Hotel buffet

(Alternate breakout session: Awkward sneaking back to original rooms)







10:00 am - 11:30 am

Diversity Panel: How Can Atheism Be More Welcoming to Women and People of Color?

Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett



Noon - 1:00 pm

Lunch; discussion of diversity panel







1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Post-Diversity Panel Infuriated Smackdown

Debbie Goddard, Anthony Pinn, Amanda Marcotte, and Sikivu Hutchinson



3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Post-Smackdown Defensive Excuses/ Sheepish Apologies/ Fervent Hopes That This Won't Be The One Thing Anyone Remembers About The Conference

Conference organizers



6:00 - 8:00 pm

Dinner/ obsessive re-hashing of diversity panel kerfuffle/ crushing of conference organizers' hopes

All attendees are welcome



8:30-pm - 10:00 pm

Serious, much-needed drinking

Hosted by JT Eberhard, Rebecca Watson, and Jen McCreight

(hosts subject to change in case of hangover)

Karaoke mandatory



10:00 PM - 6:00 AM

Horizontal networking -- follow-up sessions

Main hotel; specific locations TBD: see previous day's schedule for details

(Alternate breakout session: Awkward avoidance of eye contact with contacts from previous day's session)



TUESDAY, APRIL 3



7:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast with new friends; exchanges of phone numbers; insincere promises to stay in touch after conference

Hotel buffet

(Alternate breakout session -- see previous day's schedule)



9:00 am - 10:00 am

How To Do An Inspiring And Hilarious Conference Presentation First Thing In The Morning After A Night Of Drunken Karaoke

JT Eberhard



10:30 am - 11:30 pm

Should Atheism Be Falsifiable?

PZ Myers and Jerry Coyne

Death-match in the Octagon! Two philosophies enter -- one philosophy leaves!



Noon - 1:00 pm

Post death-match lunch. Feast on the entrails of the defeated.

Cookies and pop provided by Hemant "Friendly Atheist" Mehta



1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Why "Intelligent Design" Isn't Science -- And Why I Have To Waste My Valuable Time And Considerable Brainpower Making This Argument When It Should Be Obvious To A Freaking Ten Year Old

Hector Avalos



3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Angry mob

Greta Christina, ringleader

BYO pitchfork



If you have suggestions for next year's program, please make them in the comments. Hope to see you there!