I met with a group of local atheists last Thursday, and they talked about attending an upcoming Skepticon convention in Springfield, Missouri. That sounded quite brave to me. That's a little bit like the Jews having a conference in Nazi Germany in 1940. That brought up a few questions:
I have attended a few American Atheist annul conventions and thought they were very well presented (and represented!) I'd go again, however they are so far away from my home in the middle of the Pacific.
They held The American Atheist convention in my state this year and I wanted to go so bad. I wanted to actually see and possibly meet some of the people I watch on YouTube. Also, I think being around that many like minded people at the same time would be so inspiring. Hopefully one day.
I know of a few people that went to the Minnesota Atheist convention that had a few well known speakers, & did various activities during the weekend. Great way to socialize, meet up with some folks and share stories.
I haven't attended any; but I would like to go various events. After my life settles down I am going to join a group about 60 miles away, as there is nothing locally in my backwards little town/county; and, hopefully, I will be able to go to one of these as part of a group.
I can't see myself attending such a gathering, mostly because I just don't care all that much about who knows or doesn't know what I think.
I wish they had more events like this in Washington :/ although we're a pretty liberal state so maybe I'm not looking hard enough haha