Written by Ryan Buell

When PRS formed in the fall of 2001, I created a list of goals that I wanted to fulfill during my time with the organization.  Right off the bat, I told my board of directors that I wanted to throw a national paranormal conference.  I imagined an event where investigators traveled from around the country to Penn State, which in my wildest dreams would become the unsuspecting national paranormal headquarters for a weekend.  I imagined an event where investigators (both current and future) would leave feeling inspired, educated and entertained.  The date was already set in my head for October 2002.  When I pitched this to my early PRS team, it was instantly met with apprehension and a few groans.  “Here goes Ryan again,” some said. 

One member, who was our unofficial advisor at the time, tried to explain to me how much work and detail it took to throw a conference at a university.  This member argued that, instead of wanting to do it in 2002, it would be wisest to plan for 2004. 

I have a tendency to disregard conservative advice, especially if someone tells me I can’t do something.

So, as many already know, I did get to throw my first paranormal conference in 2002.  Both myself and the ex-member who suggested a later conference were right.  I got to throw my conference, but he was also correct when he said that it took an enormous amount of work.  Five years later, I’m still working on putting together the conference I dreamed of throwing.  Each year I get significantly closer to it.

CONFERENCE ONE

CONFERENCE TWO

CONFERENCE THREE

CONFERENCE FOUR

CONFERENCE FIVE