The first annual Mysteries of the Universe Conference is scheduled for June 7 in Kansas City, Missouri at the Intrigue Park Place Hotel from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm. The conference is the first of its type to be held in the area, and was sparked by the recent flurry of UFO activity in the U.S. and increased reports of paranormal activity in Kansas City.

The first annual Mysteries of the Universe Conference is scheduled for June 7 in Kansas City, Missouri at the Intrigue Park Place Hotel from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm. The conference is the first of its type to be held in the area, and was sparked by the recent flurry of UFO activity in the U.S. and increased reports of paranormal activity in Kansas City.

Conference director Margie Kay said, "As a paranormal researcher, I am surprised at the number of UFO sightings and ghost activity reports that are coming in. It is almost like the movie Ghost Busters!" Kay gets reports on a daily basis now, compared to only a few per month just a year ago. This is what prompted Margie to hold the conference here since there is nothing similar that is convenient for KC area residents to get to. "It is time Kansas City had its own UFO and Paranormal event, and hopefully it will continue to grow each year. People need to know that this stuff is real and that more serious study is needed," she said.

Keynote speaker, nuclear physicist Stanton Friedman's topic is "Debunking UFO Debunkers." Friedman is an internationally known UFO researcher and was the first to write about the Roswell incident. Stanton has appeared on Larry King Live, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel among others. Friedman will autograph books during the conference.

Lecturers include author, paranormal and UFO researcher and radio talk show host Margie Kay, authors Jason Offutt and Bill Hamilton, along with paranormal researcher Chris Brethwaite and UFO researcher Vince White. Topics include ghost hunting, strange stuff in the Midwest, near death experiences, extraterrestrial biological entities, and NASA's agenda with Mars.

A trade show will feature books, periodicals, and merchandise for shoppers.

Registrations must be made in advance due to limited seating. The cost is $59 by May 1, and $69 after May 1.