After the Tea Party, What Comes Next?

FREEDOMFEST 2009

“So good I changed my schedule to attend all 3 days!” — Steve Forbes

Dear fellow libertarians and free-marketers,

Every year FreedomFest grows and grows. We were up 42% last year to 1400 attendees, because our private conference is different from all the others.

Here are three reasons why FreedomFest is creating a lot of buzz:

1. Speakers stick around and mingle with the attendees. At most conferences, big-name speakers fly in, give a speech, sign a few books, and then leave. But at FreedomFest, the vast majority of speakers (over 100) genuinely enjoy the conference themselves, attend the sessions and socialize with everybody.

Steve Forbes is a perfect example. Last year his secretary Jackie called to tell us that Mr. Forbes had other obligations and couldn’t stay. He could spend only a few hours and would have to leave. But after reviewing our great line-up of speakers, debates and panels, Jackie called me back and said Mr. Forbes had changed his schedule and would attend all 3 days. He did, and he loved it.

Attendees were amazing seeing a famous billionaire attending sessions and walking around the exhibit hall.

Last week I spent an hour with Mr. Forbes in his office in New York. He expressed deep concern about where our country is headed and the government’s attack on our free-enterprise system through inflation, taxation, and regulation. When I told him about this year’s program at FreedomFest, including our World Economic Summit, his eyes lit up. “I can’t wait — sign me up. I’ll be there for the entire conference.”

In addition to giving a keynote address, Mr. Forbes will join us for the always popular “Libertarian Enterpreneurs Panel.” He will also be presenting the Free Market Hall of Fame at Saturday night’s gala banquet.

Attendees take notice. We got a call today from one of last year’s attendees. He said he couldn’t believe his fortune last year. “I had lunch with Charles Murray, chatted for 10 minutes with Steve Forbes in the exhibit hall, and sat next to John Mackey in one of the sessions.”

“Sign me up for this year!” he said.

John Mackey, CEO of

is another example. He is an extremely busy executive of one of the fastest growing businesses in the world — natural foods — yet he sets aside every year 3 days to attend FreedomFest.

“I love FreedomFest–wonderfully interesting people and non-stop intellectual stimulation. The debates are great–Keep doing them. I’m really looking forward to FreedomFest 2009.”

We are having nine debates this year, and John Mackey is doing one of them: “Randian Capitalism vs. Conscious Capitalism.” He and his colleague, Michael Strong (FLOW), will be debating two libertarians from the Objectivist Center. The sparks will fly.

Other debates include “Ideal US foreign policy–isolationist or imperialist?”….”Wal-Mart, Good or Bad for America?”….“Abe Lincoln: Best or Worst President?”…..”Austrian vs. Chicago economics: Which is Best to Solve the Financial Crisis?”….”China, Friend or Foe?”…..”Should Hard Drugs be Legalized.”

2. FreedomFest is perfectly suited for free-thinking individualists. Most conferences have a “one style fits all.” Everybody meets in one big hall and you hear one speaker after another. It’s the same conference for everyone. But the interests of our attendees are vastly different.

At FreedomFest, you create your own conference, and everyone’s experience is different. We have a few general sessions, but most of the time you choose between 6-7 breakout sessions, where you choose your favorite topic, speaker, debate, panel…..It’s incredibly diverse.

Choose between sessions on philosophy, history, geo-politics, science & technology, art and literature, economics, healthy living, and investing. You make the decision…..and it’s incredibly fun. Many attendees bring their friends and split up, and compare notes at the end of the day.

Don’t worry. We also record all the sessions, and sell the CDs during the conference, so nobody misses anything.

3. FreedomFest is the most expansive “mind blowing” experience ever achieved at a single conference. Other conferences have specific themes — for investors and stock market traders, political junkies, computer nerds, science fiction devotees, love & relationships, etc.

But FreedomFest has something for everyone. It’s a Renaissance weekend that explores a wide range of topics — we offer a World Geo-Political and Economic Summit, a 3-day investment conference, and special sessions, panels and debates on science, technology, religion, philosophy, art & literature, and healthy living.

One attendee put it this way: “Freedom Fest is like having access to all the greatest intellectual food in the world and you just can’t eat fast enough to sample it all! I can’t remember an event in my life that was more gratifying.” (Jerry Cameron, St. Augustine, Florida)

“Imagine the Possibilities”

This year’s FreedomFest theme is “Imagine the Possibilities.” Here’s the latest update:

Douglas Casey Larry Kudlow Stephen Moore

O World Economic Summit (theme: “Clear and Present Danger”) and comprehensive 3-day investment conference with top experts from around the world, including Larry Kudlow, Steve Forbes, Dan Mitchell, Steve Moore, John Fund, Charles Gasparino (CNBC’s top reporter), Rick Rule, Keith Fitz-gerald, and many other experts.

O “All-Star Prediction Panel: Gurus who Predicted the 2008 Crisis — What are They Predicting Now?” with Peter Schiff (EuroPacific Research), R. E. McMaster (“The Reaper”), Prof. Fred Foldvary (Santa Clara University author of “The Depression of 2008”), and Dennis Slothower (On the Money). Moderated by Mark Skousen, editor of “Forecasts & Strategies” and producer of FreedomFest.

O JUST ADDED! Campaign for Liberty:  Special Friday night event with Congressman Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, and NYTimes bestselling author Tom Woods.

O Mini-Festival on Libertarian Science Fiction/Fantasy: Prof. Eric S. Rabkin (Michigan), Brian Doherty (Reason magazine), David Friedman (Santa Clara), and Stephen Cox and Drew Ferguson (Liberty magazine).

O Sacred Text Project: Hear true believers talk about the Tulmad, the Koran, the New Testament, Tao Te Ching, etc. And join Sikh philosopher and yoga master Gurucharan Singh Khalsa in his yoga and breathing exercises.

O Confirmed speakers include Charles Murray, Steve Moore, Michael Shermer (Scientific American), John Mackey (CEO, Whole Foods Market), Floyd Brown, R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. and Al Regnery (American Spectator), Don Hauptman (marketing guru), Richard Viguerie (American Target), Christopher Ruddy (Newsmax), Alex Green (Oxford Club), and Matt Goodman (founder, Blue Man Group).

O Back by popular demand, the world’s best emcee, Chip Wood! Plus Joe Bradley, editor extraordinaire of Investor’s Hotline.

O Prof. Socky O’Sullivan (Rollins College) on “How to Write A Classic Novel.” Always a popular speaker.

O World’s foremost tax author, Marshall Langer, on “Saving Tons on Taxes by Moving to Another State or Country.” Plus estate and tax planners Jeffrey Verdon, Vern Jacobs, and David T. Phillips.

O Big Box Debate: “Wal-Mart: Good or Bad for America?” pitting Ohio U. professor Richard Vedder, author of “The Wal-Mart Revolution: How Big Box Stores Benefit Consumers, Workers and the Economy” against Al Norman, author of “The Case Against Wal-Mart,” and top boycott organizer against Wal-Mart. Let the fireworks begin.

O Steven Watts, professor of history at U of Missouri, on two topics: “Fantasyland, Walt Disney, and the American Dream”, and the second on “Playboy, Hugh Hefner, and the American Dream.” The first on juvenile fantasy in post-war America, and the second on adult fantasy in post-war America. (Prof. Watts has written a biography of Walt Disney, and more recently a bestselling biography of Hugh Hefner called “Mr. Playboy.”)

o Canadian French writers, Jean-Benoit Nadeau and his wife Julie Barlow, on their books “Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong” and “The Story of French.” Fascinant et controversé!

O Liberty Editors Conference: The editors of Liberty magazine (Stephen Cox, Jo Ann Skousen, Bruce Ramsey, Doug Casey, Jim Walsh) back by popular demand.

O World’s Largest Exhibit of Freedom Organizations. Previous exhibitors/sponsors have included: Cato Institute, Fraser Institute, Heritage Foundation, Reason Foundation, Hillsdale College, Goldwater Institute, Foundation for Economic Education, American Spectator, Antiwar.com, and many more. Laissez Faire Books is our official bookstore, and of course Eagle Publishing will be there as a platinum sponsor.

O Gala Saturday night banquet, always the highlight of the conference. We will sing our theme song, “Freedom and Gold” (hear it at www.freedomfest.com), announce a new group of Free Market Hall of Fame winner, and be entertained by a surprise music group you will never forget. Inspiring talks by Larry Kudlow and Steve Forbes, and emceed by Chip Wood. (Last year’s entertainment, a George Bush impersonator, brought the house down.)

Last but not least, our big conference is held in the entertainment capital of the world. Conservatives meet in Washington DC, but we hate Washington and all it stands for. Washington DC is “death star,” as my friend Doug Casey calls it. We want to get away from it as much as possible. So instead, we chose:

7-11 in Vegas!

FreedomFest is scheduled this year July 9-11, 2009, at Bally’s/Paris, right in the middle of the Vegas Strip.

FREEDOMFEST 2009

“So good I changed my schedule to attend all 3 days!” — Steve Forbes

The BUZZ

“So good I changed my schedule to attend all 3 days!” — Steve Forbes

“Run, do not walk, to FreedomFest! Where else can you meet and mingle with so many fellow travelers, and create the social bonds that can change the world?” — Mark Mullins, Executive Director, The Fraser Institute

“FreedomFest is an intoxicating experience that leaves a permanent glow! Normally I am a harsh judge of such events, but the sessions at FreedomFest were on a remarkably high level. It was great sharing with so many diverse folks united by a love of liberty and learning.” — Gene Epstein, Barron’s

“The atmosphere is electric. FreedomFest is the world’s largest and most important meeting of free minds. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” — Ted Nicholas, world’s #1 marketing guru

“I’m a moderate Democrat and not a libertarian, but I thought the atmosphere at FreedomFest was extremely non-hostile, and I could speak my mind without making enemies.” –Prof. Alan Nelson, UC Berkeley

“Given the high caliber of attendees, speakers, the professionalism of the planning, and programs of Freedom Fest, is it too early to reserve Madison Square Garden for next year?” –Richard Viguerie

“Next to my wedding day and the birth of my children, FreedomFest 2008 was the highlight of my life!” — Alex Green, Chairman, Investment U

“I love FreedomFest–wonderfully interesting people and non-stop intellectual stimulation. The debates are the best. I’m really looking forward to FreedomFest 2009.” John Mackey, CEO, Whole Foods Market

“I was going to leave early, but after my first day at FreedomFest, I changed my flight at a cost of several hundred dollars more to attend the entire conference. It was worth every penny.” — Carl Johnston, attendee

“I feel an electricity here that I haven’t felt in years!” — Nathaniel Branden

How to Sign Up–Take Advantage of our “Early Bird” Special,

and Get a Free Silver Dollar

Want to know more? Go to www.freedomfest.com, or call Tami Holland, conference coordinator, at 1-866-266-5101. Take advantage of the “early bird” special by registering before April 15, and get $100 off person/$200 per couple. First 100 to sign up receive a free uncirculated American eagle silver dollar. Call today:

1-866-266-5101, or go to
www.freedomfest.com.

In liberty, AEIOU,

Mark

Mark Skousen
Producer, FreedomFest

P. S. Good news! We just renegotiated our hotel contract, and Bally’s is now offering us room rates at $74 per night!