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FWA 2024
a year ago
General
I remember feeling overcome with emotion when the announcement of the theme for 2024's con was made. Ten years ago, I attended the original FWA College, and now they were having a sequel. I remembered having a lot of fun that year, both with the theme and the con in general. It was one of the better ones I have attended. Back then FWA was....smaller but still the largest fur con in the south. It was still growing. I thought at the time that this growth was a good thing. I believe I may now stand corrected in that assessment.
We had 15K+ people show up to FWA 2024: FU2. Ten years ago the con was run so well that I considered it the gold standard of conventions and compared pretty much every other con I went to to it. Since the end of the pandemic however, it's like the convention organizers suffered a stroke and forgot how to run things, and are now having to re-learn from scratch.
Last year this was compounded by two factors: 1) Unexpected explosive population growth, and 2) Attempting something new and never before seen in giving Adult Content its own showcase space in the form of a mini "Moonlight Festival". These factors did not a good combination make, but FWA was lucky enough to avoid a Rainfurrest-like disaster. I was expecting them to have learned from the mistakes that were made going into this year's con, and to their credit they sort-of did? Well, from some of them at least. There were a lot of other problems with the con this year, some of which were related and some of which were not.
Problem 1: Con Staff
I don't know if things are all right in the land of peaches because it feels like FWA is now struggling to catch up with the sheer volume of attendees they have to deal with. I could excuse them for this in 2022 because not even the hotel was prepared for the huge jump in attendance they'd have post-pandemic. 2023 was a little better, but it appears they lost more people than they gained and failed a recruitment drive or something because they had to turn to an outside firm to cover gaps in staffing starting from Day 2. None of those people acted like they wanted to be there or even appreciated being hired. They were often rude if not openly hostile to attendees and ignored con rule exceptions like disability tags and fursuits. This was a huge problem because of
Problem 2: Con Layout
Whoever it was that designed the convention layout this year deserves a lifetime ban from both the convention and the hotel. It created more problems this year than it actually solved from last year. For starters, despite the Mariott Marquise being labeled as the con hotel, everything except for main events was spread between three floors in the Hyatt. For those who can't see the immediate problem with this, it means that A) Dealer's Den and panels have overlapping pathing, B) Everyone is forced to navigate multiple stairs and elevators (between two hotels if you stayed in the Mariott), C) You have 15K+ people battling each other to get anywhere no matter what they want to do. During some parts of the con, lines to different events overlapped. People trying to get to panels were forced into queues for the Dealer's Den until they got to the stairs. It made the issues with poor staffing significantly worse, not the least of which was because NO ONE ON STAFF TRAFFIC DUTY KNEW WHERE ANYTHING WAS. I didn't get any straight or contradictory answers from anyone as to where a panel or event was until Day 3 of the con, and I know I'm not the only one. Myself and my roommate missed out on multiple panels and meets we wanted to see because of it. The Dealers Den also inexplicably closed at random times throughout the day and some booths seemed to run on different schedules, which meant that some folks who were already in line for up to an hour were SOL. To make matters worse, con programming tended to overlap in ways that were completely nonsensical given how difficult it was to traverse the con space.
Issues from last year were largely fixed though. Dealer's Den was more secure and booths were spaced further out. Even with more people there than last year you were not forced past booths without even being able to see what they were selling, which was a huge problem in 23. The Hoppy Hour Beer Festival was more controlled instead of being a total free-for-all. The Moonlight Festival was also given more space (though still not enough) and the exits were tightly monitored so it wasn't as much of a leaky boat with half naked people getting back into public spaces (some fursuiters were still caught having sex in the headless lounge, which everyone agreed was icky...but it's still better than them doing it in the fuckin' lobby). Registration did a complete 180 and was a breeze to go through with plenty of booths to expedite those who had pre-registered. (The con store did a complete 180 and was excruciatingly slow with only two operational points of sale. It very nearly ended my friendship with my roommate).
Problem 3: The Hotel
Ten years ago Furry University opened its doors in the Mariott Marquise. You would think that by now, ten years later and three years of attendance pulling Anthrocon numbers...you would think that the hotel might be prepared for that. Like, that first post-pandemic year, when we broke every elevator and most of the escalators in the hotel...they had to have learned from that right? Right?
Wrong.
Not only were a section of the con elevators serving the convention room bloc dead for the entire con, but certain events were not given rooms that could even remotely accommodate the draw. Like, not even close. The vore meet for example, reached capacity with the line to get in still going out the hall and down into the lobby. Not every event was this bad but seeing things like a queue to get into the pool, which doesn't even host an event...makes me think that we might have actually outgrown the hotel. Lines in general were very long, and nearly always demanded sacrifices. Attendance may be through the roof, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if I were to learn that actual butts in the seats at panels and events were lower than last year.
Problem 4: The Attendees
Everyone knows that furries are great. Easily some of the greatest people you'll meet on the planet, except when they aren't. Well, a lot of them got up on the wrong side of the bed throughout the con, especially on the last day. In fact, I've never seen such a brazen display of disrespect not only to fellow attendees but to the hotel staff, and by so many people. I could deal with the folks bulldozing through lines (yes, not 'cutting into place', outright bulldozing). I can even deal with people socializing directly in front of booths as a line forms behind them because people think they are queuing (this happened multiple times). I can deal with the snide remarks from people because the line you are standing in inconveniences their movement through a space.
What I cannot deal with...and what the con itself absolutely should not put up with....are huge numbers of people insisting on using the staff and freight elevators on Monday when they only have a bookbag and maybe some rolling luggage. That shit has got to stop. It caused problems for attendees with carts full of stuff (like vendors and suiters!), it caused problems for hotel staff trying to service guests and perform maintenance, it caused problems for elevator repairmen trying to get to where they were needed, and it caused problems for valet staff because many people were not able to get to the garage in a timely manner, including myself and my roommate who was in full autistic meltdown and screaming at people by the time we got to the car.
I am not speaking lightly when I say that the only reason I am coming back next year is the Futurepunk theme. If the con chairman does not mention anything about leaving the staff elevators the fuck alone at opening ceremonies, I am probably going to ask for a refund and leave.
We had 15K+ people show up to FWA 2024: FU2. Ten years ago the con was run so well that I considered it the gold standard of conventions and compared pretty much every other con I went to to it. Since the end of the pandemic however, it's like the convention organizers suffered a stroke and forgot how to run things, and are now having to re-learn from scratch.
Last year this was compounded by two factors: 1) Unexpected explosive population growth, and 2) Attempting something new and never before seen in giving Adult Content its own showcase space in the form of a mini "Moonlight Festival". These factors did not a good combination make, but FWA was lucky enough to avoid a Rainfurrest-like disaster. I was expecting them to have learned from the mistakes that were made going into this year's con, and to their credit they sort-of did? Well, from some of them at least. There were a lot of other problems with the con this year, some of which were related and some of which were not.
Problem 1: Con Staff
I don't know if things are all right in the land of peaches because it feels like FWA is now struggling to catch up with the sheer volume of attendees they have to deal with. I could excuse them for this in 2022 because not even the hotel was prepared for the huge jump in attendance they'd have post-pandemic. 2023 was a little better, but it appears they lost more people than they gained and failed a recruitment drive or something because they had to turn to an outside firm to cover gaps in staffing starting from Day 2. None of those people acted like they wanted to be there or even appreciated being hired. They were often rude if not openly hostile to attendees and ignored con rule exceptions like disability tags and fursuits. This was a huge problem because of
Problem 2: Con Layout
Whoever it was that designed the convention layout this year deserves a lifetime ban from both the convention and the hotel. It created more problems this year than it actually solved from last year. For starters, despite the Mariott Marquise being labeled as the con hotel, everything except for main events was spread between three floors in the Hyatt. For those who can't see the immediate problem with this, it means that A) Dealer's Den and panels have overlapping pathing, B) Everyone is forced to navigate multiple stairs and elevators (between two hotels if you stayed in the Mariott), C) You have 15K+ people battling each other to get anywhere no matter what they want to do. During some parts of the con, lines to different events overlapped. People trying to get to panels were forced into queues for the Dealer's Den until they got to the stairs. It made the issues with poor staffing significantly worse, not the least of which was because NO ONE ON STAFF TRAFFIC DUTY KNEW WHERE ANYTHING WAS. I didn't get any straight or contradictory answers from anyone as to where a panel or event was until Day 3 of the con, and I know I'm not the only one. Myself and my roommate missed out on multiple panels and meets we wanted to see because of it. The Dealers Den also inexplicably closed at random times throughout the day and some booths seemed to run on different schedules, which meant that some folks who were already in line for up to an hour were SOL. To make matters worse, con programming tended to overlap in ways that were completely nonsensical given how difficult it was to traverse the con space.
Issues from last year were largely fixed though. Dealer's Den was more secure and booths were spaced further out. Even with more people there than last year you were not forced past booths without even being able to see what they were selling, which was a huge problem in 23. The Hoppy Hour Beer Festival was more controlled instead of being a total free-for-all. The Moonlight Festival was also given more space (though still not enough) and the exits were tightly monitored so it wasn't as much of a leaky boat with half naked people getting back into public spaces (some fursuiters were still caught having sex in the headless lounge, which everyone agreed was icky...but it's still better than them doing it in the fuckin' lobby). Registration did a complete 180 and was a breeze to go through with plenty of booths to expedite those who had pre-registered. (The con store did a complete 180 and was excruciatingly slow with only two operational points of sale. It very nearly ended my friendship with my roommate).
Problem 3: The Hotel
Ten years ago Furry University opened its doors in the Mariott Marquise. You would think that by now, ten years later and three years of attendance pulling Anthrocon numbers...you would think that the hotel might be prepared for that. Like, that first post-pandemic year, when we broke every elevator and most of the escalators in the hotel...they had to have learned from that right? Right?
Wrong.
Not only were a section of the con elevators serving the convention room bloc dead for the entire con, but certain events were not given rooms that could even remotely accommodate the draw. Like, not even close. The vore meet for example, reached capacity with the line to get in still going out the hall and down into the lobby. Not every event was this bad but seeing things like a queue to get into the pool, which doesn't even host an event...makes me think that we might have actually outgrown the hotel. Lines in general were very long, and nearly always demanded sacrifices. Attendance may be through the roof, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if I were to learn that actual butts in the seats at panels and events were lower than last year.
Problem 4: The Attendees
Everyone knows that furries are great. Easily some of the greatest people you'll meet on the planet, except when they aren't. Well, a lot of them got up on the wrong side of the bed throughout the con, especially on the last day. In fact, I've never seen such a brazen display of disrespect not only to fellow attendees but to the hotel staff, and by so many people. I could deal with the folks bulldozing through lines (yes, not 'cutting into place', outright bulldozing). I can even deal with people socializing directly in front of booths as a line forms behind them because people think they are queuing (this happened multiple times). I can deal with the snide remarks from people because the line you are standing in inconveniences their movement through a space.
What I cannot deal with...and what the con itself absolutely should not put up with....are huge numbers of people insisting on using the staff and freight elevators on Monday when they only have a bookbag and maybe some rolling luggage. That shit has got to stop. It caused problems for attendees with carts full of stuff (like vendors and suiters!), it caused problems for hotel staff trying to service guests and perform maintenance, it caused problems for elevator repairmen trying to get to where they were needed, and it caused problems for valet staff because many people were not able to get to the garage in a timely manner, including myself and my roommate who was in full autistic meltdown and screaming at people by the time we got to the car.
I am not speaking lightly when I say that the only reason I am coming back next year is the Futurepunk theme. If the con chairman does not mention anything about leaving the staff elevators the fuck alone at opening ceremonies, I am probably going to ask for a refund and leave.
I'm not surprised to hear about the attendee rudeness, line bulldozing and lack of consideration or decorum. It's always been a thing at FWA. Especially when it comes to the hotel elevators. Strangely enough, it ONLY happens at FWA...
As for the staff, they didn't care in 2023, I'm not surprised 2024 was a repeat performance. I'm not surprised as there was a mass exodus of staff after 2022, most of them the good ones.
The only thing I missed about FWA, are the friends I know who were there, that I dearly would have loved to have seen. At least I have AC to look forward to.
The only positive thing I heard about FWA is from some dealer friends who said their sales were over the top. Hooray for the dealers.
There were some good things: The adult specific programming like the beer festival and the midnight faire were much better ran than previous years. The video game room and board game area are huge now with room to expand. There were multiple headless lounges and designated quiet spaces throughout the con space in both hotels. They had panels focused on party safety and a group giving out free narcan and date-rape drug detectors (a thing MFF sorely needs). The animal charity was even allowed to bring more fauna this year than is usual, though it wasn't the actual con charity.
I've tried to be patient with FWA, as I know they can't get everything right all the time, especially when trying new things. No matter who you have or how many, there's always something that is going to get cocked up; that's just the nature of the game. The issues with the con layout this year put things into starker perspective for me because I'm getting older. I have less tolerance for linecon because of pain in my feet that comes of standing up for too long. I'm not exactly mobility impaired but like, when I start feeling as though the con would be easier to do in a wheelchair I'm thinking it might not be the right con for me.
I feel bad for the furs who actually were mobility impaired as stairs were pretty much the only option if you wanted to get any value out of the con.
Anyhow, yeah. Now I think I better understand your decision to stop coming. I really wish ASE hadn't died, as we could really use it now that FWA is teetering. It was the best positioned to take its place if anything happened to it. Carolina Furfaire will probably take on the furs turned off by it now, and I worry that they won't be able to handle that given all the other problems they've had to surmount.
And yeah, that all totalled to the (pardon my french) DUMB ASS FUCKING SOCIOPATH of CHECK OUT VALET. This bright bulb saw we were trying to get an entire overstuffed dolly and collapsible cart of alcohol to the curb for a car we were TRYING to get to be loaded, and started FORCING COON THROUGH. I feel like if I hadn't ran out amid my already mental breakdown, Coon hadn't been trying to figure things out, and we had gotten them to pull him into a far spot, then us FORCING OUR LUGGAGE to the car across the VALET TRAFFIC (yes, it was FLOWING.) he would have been directed to just leave the valet parking lot, and we'd have had INFINITELY worse troubles, in trying to let them, let me, take the dolly up to SOMEHOW reunite with the car. I doubt it though, they DIDN'T WANT ANYONE using their dollies except them.
So yeah, The entire reason I'm getting a room to myself has NOTHING to do with bad blood, or needing to be able. I just want to haul my own crap upstairs, have them shove their damn dollies, and come back down for my car after smoothly with my own stuff. Or at least, they have to hand me my crap directly, and there's no chance of this NONSENSE ever again.
But again, At the company of good friends, the assurance of others, I'll give it, ONE more go.
But if this shit tanks again, I'm fully investing in AnthroCon. PLUS I'LL HAVE LOST MORE WEIGHT! Plane travel FTW.
Yes, the entitlement that some people have really pisses me off. I actually chewed out people I know that were bragging about short elevator waits, after I found out they were part of the "going up to go down" group of a-holes, and how they were playing the elevator game.
Only at FWA have I seen this level of inconsiderate behavior.
I totally understand your frustration.
I would like to get my own cart but I'm already testing the limits of space available in my car. I also usually use the parking garage to save money over valet but Typhus is convinced that valet makes things easier. That may be true of check-in, but this isn't the first year we've been inconvenienced by check-out. It's just...not usually this bad.
Though to be frank I'm not entirely sure that's avoidable now? Not every one of the 15k people who showed up drove in I'm sure but I figure we probably have enough to fill the garage to capacity regardless now.
I just want to reiterate that it wasn't you that I was upset at, even though I was rather short with you in that moment. With both you and the parking valet yelling at me it was extremely difficult to concentrate and work out a plan. I'm not sure if the valet even understood we were trying to load up until I took the liquor from you and threw it in the trunk...I just felt like some action needed to be taken and that was the thing you were complaining about.
Also it's not a problem if you want to split away and get your own room next year. We've been going to cons together for ages and ages out of convenience and sometimes you just want to hang with new people. Part of me also feels like you may have lost confidence in me here too, and I hope to be able to repair that at Megaplex and Carolina Furfaire.
We can't plan for the unexpected, but we can be better prepared for it...and I finally understand now that FWA just isn't the same con we've been attending for the past 20 years. We should probably also be prepared for this to affect the other cons we go to, because if FWA is trying everyone's patience they are going to start looking for other southern cons and both Megaplex and Furfaire/Bewhiskered are in the crosshairs.
I can say this much for the location - it's remote from anything, and I had no issues with the parking garage. To be blunt, I inadvertently left the driver's window down all weekend. Nothing was missing, nothing had been gone through. I definitely felt lucky.
The con is held in the attached convention center, which is massive and has plenty of room to handle a large convention.
Carolina Furfaire will be held this year in the Hickory convention center. It's decent sized, the only drawback is the nearby hotels are not attached. Being close to Charlotte, there should be a good draw, and there's room for expansion.
Bewhiskered is all ready looking for a bigger venue. After 3 successful years, I feel they've set a good enough example to offset the regional damage caused by the management of ACE, and hopefully their reputation will open up more venue availability in the RDU area.
There is a group attempting to start a third Carolina fur con in the Wilmington area, however, I have not heard anything recently regarding that one.
We quite enjoyed Megaplex the last year they were in the Royal Caribbe, despite the inadequate parking. The new hotel checks all of the boxes while leaving some room to grow. We're looking forward to returning again this year!
I'm just glad that Furfaire is out of Asheville. It's a fun city but the lack of options and affordability wasn't doing the con any favors. We also plan to visit that one since we're hoping to do Megaplex on the cheap this year with multiple roommates. I'm not familiar with ACE...do you mean Anthro SouthEast, or are you referring to the abortive first attempt by the NC furs to start an area convention? I may need a memory refresher as to what went down on that if you're talking about the latter.
Uhh, that third con, was that the one that had its first year in a high school gymnasium? Typhus and I saw that and sort of looked at each other and went 'Yeah, no'. It smacked of some local furry clique trying to start something on a budget and draw people in by calling it a 'convention' and advertising it online....like a low-key Fyre Festival or something. I was surprised when it showed up on the listings as having a second year in a budget hotel.
ACE was Anthro Crossroads East, originally Tarpaw meets. As I understand from what I was told, it was an attempt by a scammer in the Raleigh area to start a con, but failed due to illegal 501c filings with the state and an attempt to pocket the proceeds. It started as a meet and dance at a VFW hall, then moved to a Hampton Inn. The final con (with the majority of the NC fur staff quitting) was at an Embassy Suites in 2019, which may not have gotten paid for the con space, most likely resulting in the difficulties Bewhiskered has had finding a suitable venue.
As for the con near Wilmington, the person forming it only just started posting about it on Facebook a month or so ago.
I don't know about the school gymnasium one.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1.....pVfFA/viewform
Feels kind of bad since I do love the con historically and locationally. I want to see it improve and continue. But it can't do either of those things if they don't start planning for these "#2 in the world" crowds.
Interestingly enough, it looks like they took some of my suggestions to heart this year, or other people suggested some of the same things.