CrimeCon 2019 VIP Dinner
- By Website Editor
- •
- 28 May, 2019
You’re a true crime fan through and through. You’ve watched countless hours of police interviews and interrogations; you may have attended Steven David Lampley’s session How to Catch a Liar at CC18 or CrimeCon: On The Run; you may not be a trained detective, but you can spy a lie from a mile away.
Except. . . what if you can’t? Entertainer Jason Suran has spent much of his life mastering the skills of illusion -- but this is no magic show. Instead, Suran combines these skills with his expertise in the psychology of deception to demystify those who would pull the wool over your eyes, from charismatic criminals to psychic detectives. At Saturday’s VIP cocktail and dinner event, Suran will put these concepts into action to demonstrate not only how these fantastic feats are performed, but how to protect yourself from them.
Though he’s a self-proclaimed skeptic, Suran is willing to give liars the benefit of the doubt. “I start from the premise that everybody wants to tell the truth,” Suran says. “Even the most practiced liar wants to tell the truth because it’s less work. So the game becomes ‘how do I make it as easy as possible for this person to tell me what I need to know’.” Still, there are those who use the same psychological concepts to take advantage of others.
“I want people to understand the danger of being taken in by a practiced cold-reader. ,” Suran continues. “Psychics and mediums who use these concepts for personal gain often derail police investigations and risk further traumatizing families and victims. Two stories, in particular, spring to mind: In 2003 and 2004, respectively, famed psychic Sylvia Browne informed the parents of missing children Shawn Hornbeck and Amanda Berry that their children were dead. In reality, both children had been abducted and held captive for years. Hornbeck escaped his captors and returned to his family in 2007. By the time Berry escaped, her mother had died, still believing that her daughter was dead.
These cases reinforce the main idea that Suran hopes to drive home during his Saturday performance. “These illusions are effective because we don’t understand them,” he explains. “We see psychics on television and wonder how they knew Grandpa’s middle name or how they knew where a body was buried, but the truth is that there are some very reliable and effective ways they could have uncovered that information. In my show, we’ll examine the methodology that helps them do that and look at what makes us so susceptible to deception in the first place”
Suran promises a highly interactive session with plenty of opportunities to get involved. “There will be lots of audience participation and I may need some victims. Er ... volunteers,” he warns. Fortunately, the evening kicks off at 7:00pm with a cocktail reception to ease those stage fright jitters.
CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts
Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.
CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.
What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025
Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:
- Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
- Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
- Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
- Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.
For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
Secure Your Spot
Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits.
To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!
Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!
VIEWERS' CHOICE: Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.
LISTENERS' CHOICE: All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!
READERS' CHOICE:
Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!
Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.
Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW
Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen) rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.
If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here.
