Our first annual event will be hosted by the founder of Afterlife Paranormal, The Illinois Ghost Hunters and The Paranormal Research Community, Willy Adkins on August 13th & 14th 2010.  Even better the event will be hosted at the historic (and rumored haunted) Stratford Inn in Sycamore Illinois!

This years conference will features several amazing speakers in the world of paranormal research, ghost hunting, legends and lore as well as the opportunity to take part in some haunted after hours events too!  A ghost hunting gear swap meet will also be featured.

2010 Presenters and Special Guests

WILLY ADKINS is the founder of Afterlife Paranormal, The Paranormal Research Community & The Illinois Ghost Hunters. He has had a life long interest in the paranormal and quickly brought his investigative team to be one of the most respected and well recognized paranormal organizations in the country.

Willy will host and speak at The 2010 Afterlife Paranormal Conference on August 14th 2010 at The Stratford Inn in Sycamore IL!

Willy will talk about what the Afterlife Paranormal organization is, its goals and future plans. He will also give a lecture about Paranormal Business, building your paranormal group, no budget advertising, networking and marketing a group in the paranormal industry. You will learn the benefits of cross promoting and working with others.  Everything you need to be a successful paranormal investigative team!

URSULA BIELSKI is the founder of Chicago Hauntings, Inc. An historian, author, and parapsychology enthusiast, she has been writing and lecturing about Chicago’s supernatural folklore and the paranormal for nearly 20 years, and is recognized as a leading authority on the Chicago region’s ghostlore and cemetery history. She is the author of five popular and critically acclaimed books on the same subjects, all published by Lake Claremont Press.

Ursula will be speaking at the 2010 Afterlife Paranormal Conference about Chicagoland Haunts and Folklore.  From the most creepy to the most shocking of tales, Ursula is sure to entertain!

VINCE WILSON has always been interested in science, history, and the unexplained since as far back as he can remember. Together with a long-time high school friend, he founded the Baltimore Society for Paranormal Research. He soon set his sites higher and formed the Maryland Paranormal Investigators Coalition — a collection of groups dedicated to serious paranormal research and scientific observation. Wilson is the author of Ghost Tech and Ghost Science. He has lectured on ghost hunting technology and has also appeared on all the major local TV stations in the Baltimore area and on numerous radio stations in regards to his work in paranormal research. He has also been featured on Creepy Canada in 2005 aboard the USS Constellation and the Discovery Channel in 2006 for an investigation he did at the Edgar Allan Poe House in Baltimore. He lives in the Haunted Cottage of Harpers Ferry in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Vince will be giving a presentation on “Ghost Tech”.  The many tools of the trade and how to use them!

DALE KACZMAREK is President of the Ghost Research Society and director of Excursions Into The Unknown, Inc., the only year-round ghost tour of haunted Chicagoland locations.
Kaczmarek has been actively investigating ghosts, hauntings and poltergeist phenomena since 1975 and is active in a number of organizations including: American Association for Electronic Voice Phenomena, Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained, International Fortean Organization and the prestigious Ghost Club of England. His website Ghost Research Society is one of the most active of its kind anywhere in the world. Kaczmarek has appeared in numerous books, publications, newspapers and periodicals. He has been a guest on “Oprah”, “Encounters”, “Sightings”, “The Other Side”, “Rolanda”, “Mysteries Magic and Miracles”, “Exploring the Unknown”, and was called on by the “Discovery Channel” to help produce and appear in two segments; “Real Ghosthunters” and “Phantom Photos”.

Dale will be talking about Ghosts On Video!  His dynamic powerpoint presentation showing several pieces of amazing video footage is sure to leave us all in amazement!

GEORGE HAWRYLENKO has been a Lead Investigator for The Illinois Ghost Hunters for half a decade and very active in the paranormal community for even longer. His research has taken him to several of the countries most haunted locations including the Bell Witch Cafe, The Lincoln Theater, Eastern State Pen and The Egyptian Theatre!

George will be giving a presentation on spirit communication.  His personal goals and insite will be shared as well as new methods to communicate with spirits that you might not have thought of before.  A presentation not to miss, Because when George gives a paranormal presentation its about more then just a lecture its like a rock show!

DEAN THOMPSON has spent several years putting together pieces of the paranormal puzzle.   In 2007 Dean founded the Illinois Paranormal Historical Society.  IPHS is a Historical Research Society that focuses on Illinois Paranormal history.  In early 2010 Dean was welcomed as part of the Illinois Ghost Hunters as a case manager.  He remains very active with both organizations.

Dean will show off his research skills by giving an in-depth look into the history and hauntings of the Stratford Inn that we call home to this years conference.  This multi-media presentation will be one to surely open your eyes to the historic value of this amazing place!

JACK LOCKWOOD has over 35 years experience investigating the paranormal.   Jack was born Sept. 10, 1947. He has been a paranormal researcher and investigator since 1972, while living in Alton, Illinois from his youth. He became interested in the field while looking for information on the Paramedic field at Alton’s Hayner Public Library. Jack became a Paramedic in 1979 with extensive traing in the area of cardiology which plays allot in his theory of a ghost’s makeup considering the electrical energy in the human body. During his search, he noticed a book on the table and the word “Ghost” caught his eye. It was written by Dr. Hans Holzer, the first accredited parapsychologist, Titled “Ghost Hunter” written in 1963. Later he became more interested after reading the writings of Harry Price and other authors. He had many research groups over the years up to the current, The Litchfield Illinois Ghost Trackers Group (LIGTG) in 2007 with 12 current active members. He trains and cross trains all of his members on their equipment and the theories behind its use and LIGTG protocol, which follows the AGS that he was once an active member of. His main interest is residential hauntings and historical locations in Illinois, Missouri and Indiana. LIGTG has investigated the McPike Mansion in Alton, The James J Eldred House in Eldred Illinois, and The Minerals Springs Hotel in Alton. Also among some of the historical place are The Strawbridge / Shepherd House in Springfield, Illinois, The Virgil Hickox House / Norb Andy’s Taberin in Springfield, Illinois and the Elijah Isles House also in Springfield. From the end of 2008 and 2009 the team conducted 55 investigations, including return trips, and it appears that 20010 will be no different for the team.  In Summer, 2010 his first book, The Maverick Ghost Hunter, will be released.

Jack will give a lecture on the do’s and don’t in the field, with several decades of experience he is sure to have superior knowledge to share!

2010 After Hours Events

Haunted Tour & Investigation of The Egyptian Theatre! – Saturday  @ 11pm!

Take a tour of this registered historical landmark and experience a side of the Egyptian Theatre that most never see. You will be filled in on paranormal activity and ghost sightings that have taken place. You will be split up into groups to investigate the ghosts and sightings to see if you can find your own evidence and hopefully experience paranormal events!

Your Tour and Investigation into the unknown will be guided by Willy Adkins (The Illinois Ghost Hunters, Afterlife Paranormal, The Paranormal Research Community) with special guest Ursula Gielski (Chicago Hauntings Inc, Paranormal Author) all very well known and highly respected people in the field of paranormal research and investigation with many years of experience.  

$35.oo If ticket is purchased before August 9th!

Note: If Saturday Sells Out, We Will Open A Friday Night Investigation Also

Haunted Tour & Investigation of The Stratford Inn! – Friday & Saturday @ 11pm!

For the first time ever, take a tour and conduct an investigation at the Stratford Inn!  This very luxurious hotel that opened its doors on May 24th 1929 has quite a history to share!  Do guests from the past still walk the halls?  Is the lobby now home to a spirit whom fell down the master staircase? Come take a tour and investigate this very amazing place with some amazing paranormal researchers and investigators!

Friday Night Tour & Investigation is guided by Willy Adkins (The Illinois Ghost Hunters, Afterlife Paranormal, The Paranormal Research Community) with special guest Ursula Gielski (Chicago Hauntings Inc, Paranormal Author) all very well known and highly respected people in the field of paranormal research and investigation.

Saturday Night Tour & Investigation is guided by George Hawrylenko (The Illinois Ghost Hunters), Dale Kaczmarek (Ghost Research Society, Excursions Into The Unknown, Paranormal Author) and Vince Wilson (Ghost Tech, The Paranormal Research Coalition, Paranormal Author) all very well known and highly respected people in the field of paranormal research and investigation.

$25.00 Ticket Cost – Very Limited!

SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH WITH THE GHOST HUNTERS!!!

Plan to stay the night in town on Saturday?  Why not join us for brunch at the Carls Fargo Restaurant within the Stratford Inn Hotel Sunday Morning!  Food is served from 9am till 1pm.  Most of the conference speakers and special guests will be dining as well!  Carls Fargo provides great food with generous portions and a courteous, professional staff servicing your dining needs! Even better, it is discounted for conference visitors!

May include items such as: Eggs, French Toast, Corned Beef & Hash, Sausage, Chicken, Roast Beef, Ham, Pork, Baked Fish, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Gravy, Mixed Vegetables, French Fries, Macaroni & Pasta Salads, Potato Salad, Fresh Fruit, Homemade Breads, Fresh Rolls & Butter & Dessert Assortments!  Oh, and Soft Drinks, Coffee & Juice are included!

$10.00 Special Price (normal Sunday Brunch is $13.95)

Interested in Sponsoring or A Vending Table at this event?

Do  you have a product that would appeal to the paranormal community?  Maybe you have a paranormal team of your own you would like to promote?  Do you want to do tarot card or psychic readings at a paranormal festival?  We most likely have an option for you!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR / VENDOR OPTIONS!

Misc Notices / Rules / Regulations

*Event Schedule / Speakers / Tour Guides / Guests  Subject to change without notification.  All tickets are non refundable.

*After Hours Events are sold as an additional ticket (not included in weekend pass ticket) and available on a first come first serve basis.  Spots for these events are very limited, so act quick!

*Spook Show Entertainment / Afterlife Paranormal / Willy Adkins / The Stratford Inn / The Egyptian Theatre / The Rock Barn reserve the right to refuse admission and/or service to anyone. These are private events for registered attendees only and proper conduct is required.  By purchasing a ticket for any above events you agree to conduct yourself in a professional manor and understand that you can and will be asked to vacate for any misconduct.

*These events are all ages, but be warned that content is not regulated.  Presentations might not be suitable for younger audiences and may contain adult language and situations.  Parental guidance is recommended for younger visitors.

*Participants in any of the after hours events may be required to sign a liability waiver before beginning the event.  If you would like to see a copy of any waiver please ask before making ticket purchase, as we do not offer refunds in the event you choose not to sign it.

*Afterlife Paranormal & Spook Show Entertainment are trademarks of Mr Willy Adkins.  All Rights Reserved.