Its a Cutie Mark!

I've recently returned from IFC, Indy Fur Con. This time I actually got to attend. For those keeping score at home; last year, I tried but was unable to. I purchased my registration online, but the Military decided to change my schedule and I had to go play soldier the weekend of the event. So I missed it, but let the staff keep my registration money as a 'donation' to the cause.

This year however, I made it with no problems. Arrived onsite on Thursday and tried to remain as active as I could throughout each day until I finally left Sunday evening. Met a lot of new good friends and had a pretty fun time.

Instead of just being another fur in the pile, this year, I thought I'd actually contribute to the cause; I hosted two panels. The Ungulates Unite panel (AKA Hoofer's Meet n Greet) and the Open Mic/Poetry Jam. I seemed to have bad timeslots for each of these, but still was able to muddle thought them. The Ungulate panel was well attended, about 8 or 9 were in the audiance. However, I was competing with a real Wedding Ceremony between my friends Leasara & Tincrash. Which is funny because I wanted to attend the wedding and the bride Leasara wanted to attend my panel too. The open mic was the last actual panel on Sunday afternoon just prior to closing ceremonies. So most furs were checking out of their rooms, or just getting ready to leave the con. My attendance peeked at perhaps 4, not a single person needed an instrument that I supplied either.

Couple things of note to the IFC staff: Dont forget to thank your GOH & His bride during the closing ceremonies! Yeah, you gave him the check for items sold during the art auction, but you forgot to formally thank him for all the art work done in the Program book and everything else. So next time, don't forget to give your nods to the people in the background that actually made the con what it was and not just the few standing on the stage as part of the official staff. Also, make sure you have panel Hosts for things on the program. I attended one panel with no host and subsequently no audiance after 15 minutes. If you can't find one, recruit for it. I know of at least one person that was 'on-call' with the programming staff head for just such an occasion.

Overall, it was a good con. I like smaller ones as its so much more laid back and I dont have to struggle through crowds. Its a young con so I expect some mistakes and faux pas to be made so all my critques get a pass. I look forward to next year and the following years to come.