Rob's Conn. Paracon Adventure!

Over the weekend of July 12-13, I attended the Connecticut "Paraconn" where I enjoyed time with friends in the paranormal field, signed some books, and fortunately got to give a 30 minute talk that touched others. Here's the story and experience.

 

HIGHLIGHTS - My friend and co-author/co-investigator, Monique Toosoon was there for the first day. We got to spend some good time together and had fun. She always makes me laugh. My other paranormal friends Derick and Candace Fetters (the "Paraclauses")and Alura Hewey (medium) and David Childers (para-tech expert), and Frosty and Jenny of the Witching Hours Podcast were all there! They all really made my day. I also got to meet 2 service dogs who are adorable. Monique posed with one of them.

LIVE INTERVIEW!! - Monique and I got to sit down with Jenny and Frosty for a 30 minute live Podcast, and we talked about our "Haunting of Emery Estate" book. - I also got to know Jenny, who is an amazing Medium in her own right and Frosty (Jeremy), a tech wizard, a lot better! I love their backgrounds: An art teacher turned art museum curator (Jenny) and a high school teacher (Jeremy).

SPEAKING!! - Although the entire speaking scheduled was booked before I even learned about the Paracon, I let the organizers, Charles and Thomas know that I really wanted to teach people how to recognize signs from their pets in spirit, with my lecture about "Pets and the Afterlife" based on my series of books. Fortunately for me, one speaker was not able to attend so I was able to give a shorter version of my (normally 45-60 minute) talk. It was awesome. People in the audience acknowledged whenever they saw a sign I was talking about. Several people in the audience came up to me afterward and told me how they were very touched by my presentation. There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs and healing afterward.  

(Photo: My friend, paranormal investigator, and co-author,  Monique Toosoon, wears 10"plus heels, so I had to prop myself up on a chair to take a picture at the  CTParaconn) 

SHARED PET SPIRIT STORY - One woman and her sone who attended the lecture told her story. She saidshortly after her dog had passed she was watching a dog for someone else. The visiting dog went out into the backyard and appeared to be playing with another dog. That's when she clearly saw her dog in spirit playing with the visiting dog!

ANOTHER MAINER!  While there, I got to meet Christopher Brown, a medium from Augusta, Maine. He and his wife had driven down (which was 90 minutes longer than my drive!). They were warm and welcoming as Mainer's are. His website: https://www.psychicmediumchristopher.com/  and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PsychicMediumChristopher/  

ADVERTISING AND ATTENDANCE- Despite the fact that the two organizers did several television appearances, podcasts, and social media promotions, the turnout was minimal, and disappointing. You never know how things will turn out. I estimate no more than 150-200 people came per day. The first day was the slowest day and I sold 2 books. The second day there seemed to be more attendees, and I sold 10 more books. Not enough to cover the fee of the conference (let alone the hotel and rental car), so this was a big financial hit for me and all the other vendors. 

NO A/C IN THE HEAT - The weekend ParaConn was held at the Crosby High School Gym, 300 Pierpont Road in Waterbury, CT. It was a very hot and humid weekend, and unfortunately, the entire show was set up in the high school's gymnasium, where the Air conditioning wasn't functioning. There were two giant fans operating, but it was very hot in the convention. Doors opened from 11am (for VIPs) and closed at 6pm both days.

WHO WAS THERE? VENDOR LIST: Included paranormal teams, tech folks, authors, tarot readers, medium, jewelry and crafts, and much more.