IANDS opens registration for Bellevue near-death studies conference

By AI, Created 4:01 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Registration is now open for the International Association for Near-Death Studies’ annual conference, set for Aug. 26-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington. The event expects nearly 1,000 attendees and will feature researchers, clinicians, authors and speakers focused on near-death and related experiences.

Why it matters: - The conference brings together people studying near-death experiences, related phenomena and their effects on beliefs about life, death and human purpose. - IANDS expects nearly 1,000 attendees, making the event a major gathering for this niche field. - The program combines research, personal testimony and community-building, which broadens the event beyond a typical academic conference.

What happened: - Registration opened for the International Association for Near-Death Studies Conference on May 28, 2026. - The event is scheduled for Aug. 26-30, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington. - IANDS describes the conference as an annual event focused on education, inspiration and community. - The conference theme is “Expanded Lives: Exploring the Impact of Near-Death and Related Experiences.”

The details: - Speakers include researchers, nurses, physicians, mental health professionals and clergy. - The agenda covers new research into near-death experiences, stories from people who have had them and related experiences such as terminal lucidity, after-death communication and shared death experiences. - Keynote speakers include Anita Moorjani, Helané Wahbeh, Alex Ferrari and Vera Spillner. - Eben Alexander will appear in a special evening interview session called “A Conversation With Eben.” - Betty Eadie will present during “An Evening with Betty Eadie.” - The conference will also include a Healing Center with a wide variety of treatments and services. - An exhibit floor and on-site bookstore will be part of the event. - Authors will sign books at the bookstore. - Full registration costs $386 for members and $429 for nonmembers through July 15. - After July 15, full registration costs $449 for members and $499 for nonmembers. - Student discounts are available. - Veterans may receive free registration. - More information and registration are available on the Conference Registration page. - IANDS is welcoming volunteers to help run the conference. - Volunteer information and related discounts are available by contacting volunteer@iands.org.

Between the lines: - The speaker roster mixes researchers and public-facing authors, signaling an event built for both scientific discussion and personal exploration. - The Healing Center and exhibit floor suggest the conference is designed as an immersive experience, not just a lecture series. - The pricing tiers and volunteer discounts point to an effort to widen access for members, students and veterans.

What’s next: - Attendees can register now before the July 15 price increase. - IANDS will continue building the speaker lineup and conference program leading up to the August event. - Volunteers can contact the organization to learn about open roles and discounts.

The bottom line: - IANDS is positioning its Bellevue conference as a large, multi-day gathering for people interested in near-death experiences, with a strong mix of research, testimony and community engagement.