Unlocking the Secrets of Mystery and Magic:
The Floridant/10301464

LAS VEGAS - Floridant -- Las Vegas, long celebrated for dazzling illusions and bold performance, will host a different kind of magic this May. The Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, a section of the American Anthropological Association, has named Paul Draper as the keynote speaker for its 42nd Annual Conference, taking place May 1–3, 2025 at The Palazzo Resort.

Draper—a renowned anthropologist, mentalist, and award-winning performer—is known for his unique ability to blend scholarship, storytelling, and stagecraft. A frequent guest on national television, he has mesmerized audiences from Yale University to the United Nations. His keynote aligns with this year's theme: Mystery and Magic.

"I'm thrilled the conference is returning to Las Vegas—a city that thrives on mystery and imagination," Draper said. "Magic connects us to something deeper—belief, culture, even consciousness itself."

More on The Floridant

• Waste Heavy, Equipment & Trucking - Save Fuel – Reduce Maintenance & DPF Issues – ECOFuelMax
• Hammerhead Technology Launches Hammertrack
• New TSA-Compliant Medication Packing Tool Helps Travelers Avoid Airport Delays and Customs Issues
• NASA Collaborative Agreement for Supply of Thin-Film Solar Tech for Orbital Application to Advance Development of Thin-Film PV Power Beaming: $ASTI
• Applications Now Open for One of the Nation's Top Outdoor Art Festivals

The Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness (SAC) is an interdisciplinary community of anthropologists, psychologists, mythologists, archaeologists, sociologists, and scholar-practitioners. Their work spans shamanic and yogic traditions, depth psychology, neuroplasticity, ecological consciousness, human/technological AI interaction and more.

Draper points out that "With interest in mindfulness, consciousness, and wellness at an all-time high—estimated to be a $5 billion industry in the U.S. alone—this conference taps into a growing cultural movement."

This year's theme invites scholars and attendees to explore why mystery and magic continue to captivate human imagination—from rituals, healing, and Jungian archetypes to pop culture illusions, AI, and indigenous wisdom.

"Draper bridges two worlds—academic rigor and performative wonder," said conference organizer John Baker, Dr.phil. President Association for the Anthropology of Consciousness and Emeritus Professor of Anthropology Moorpark College. "His keynote reflects our mission to explore consciousness not just as an object of study, but as a lived, transformative human experience." Baker continued "Plus, he is a major player in the world of magic!"

More on The Floridant

• Exciting New Era of Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Innovation Spotlighted by Rebrand of Expanding AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Company: SEGG Media
• Service Ninjas Debuts First-of-Its-Kind "Membership" Platform for Home Service Pros
• Healogics Board of Directors Appoints Pamela B. Mandel as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
• BIYA Forecasts 2025 Surge with ¥300M ($41.8 M USD) in Revenue and ¥25M Profit from Cloud Based HR Solutions: Baiya Intl. Group (N A S D A Q: BIYA)
• Paul E. Saperstein Co. Announces Geographic Expansion of Auction Services

About Paul Draper:

A public scholar and entertainer, Paul Draper's work sits at the intersection of culture, consciousness, and wonder. Known for appearances on The History Channel, HBO, and Inside the NBA, he's also presented for Apple, Yale, and Cambridge, and has performed at Hollywood's legendary Magic Castle. As both a trained anthropologist and a professional mentalist, Draper offers rare insights into human behavior and belief.

Event Information:

📅 What: 42nd Annual Conference of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness

📍 When: May 1–3, 2025

Where: The Palazzo Resort, Las Vegas

Keynote Speaker: Paul Draper

More Info: https://pauldraper.com/ | https://americananthro.org/ | https://ac.americananthro.org/