The Freedom From Religion Foundation hosts an annual national convention bringing together its membership and other advocates of freethought values, secularism and the separation of church and state. The event features leading freethought and secular speakers, awards, entertainment and organizational updates over three days.
The goal is to promote and defend the separation of church and state, celebrate secular values, inspire and empower activism, build community and recognize courageous leadership. The convention serves as a gathering place for FFRF members and like-minded individuals, to educate, celebrate and mobilize around FFRF’s core missions of keeping religion out of government and promoting nontheism.
FFRF is an umbrella association for freethinkers of whatever persuasion, whether atheist, agnostic, humanist or skeptic, etc. While many members and attendees identify as atheists, the FFRF convention is open to anyone interested.
The 2025 convention will take place at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, Oct.17–19th. An early bird welcome reception will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 16th.
Visit the FFRF convention page for the most current schedule.
Hotel reservation information can be found on the FFRF website’s convention page here.
Transportation and parking information can be found on the FFRF website here.
Online: Register via the FFRF website
By Mail: Members can register using the form on the back page of Freethought Today
By Phone: Contact FFRF’s National Headquarters at (608)230-8441 and ask to register for the annual national convention. Please have a credit/debit card ready when calling.
If the event is not sold out, you may register at the door. Late registration is not guaranteed. We advise that you sign up early to guarantee admission and group meals, and also make hotel reservations early so you will not be disappointed. The convention webpage will be updated as the convention approaches to indicate whether registration at the door will be possible. No group meals can be purchased at the door.
Deadline: Sept. 30, 2025
After deadline: No refunds, but fees may be converted into a charitable donation.
In case of a natural disaster, hotel reservations will be refunded if an evacuation order is in place.
No, meals are for socializing and convenience only—no programming is scheduled during meal times, with the exception of incidentals, such as the usual “Moment of Bedlam” at the Saturday Non-prayer Breakfast.
Banquet meal pricing is set by the hotel and includes a 35 percent service and tax fee. FFRF does not profit from meal sales. Because this convention is at a resort that is somewhat isolated, we encourage participants to purchase meal tickets or plan ahead if they prefer to eat elsewhere.
FFRF does not coordinate ticket or meal transfers.
Speeches will be uploaded to FFRF’s YouTube channel month after the event.
Transcripts of most speeches will also be printed in Freethought Today along with photographs.
There’s no dress code. Dress comfortably and in layers—ballroom temperatures vary. Some attendees choose to dress up for Saturday’s dinner, but it’s optional. FFRF / freethought shirts are encouraged!
FFRF offers a number of its own book and sales tables where participants may browse. FFRF does not offer booth space or sponsorships. A “Free Literature” table will be available for sharing handouts (no political material allowed).
No. Due to privacy and staffing constraints, FFRF is not able to assist with roommate matching.
Attendees will receive a post-convention feedback survey, in which they may submit speaker suggestions or locations. Attendees at the annual membership meeting are often asked to do a straw poll vote on future locations.
Or, email suggestions to [email protected].
2026: Milwaukee, Wis.: Friday, Oct. 16—Sunday, Oct. 18
2027: Seattle, Wash.: Friday, Oct. 29—Sunday, Oct. 31. (50th annual)
FFRF rotates the convention between U.S. regions, returning to Wisconsin every third year.
For further questions, please contact [email protected] or call FFRF’s national headquarters at (608) 256-8900.
