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Califur Report
13 years ago
General
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Am I disappointed? Yes.
Am I sorry I went? No. More on that later as I have a lot of downs before I get to the good.
- first impressions: Immediately upon receiving it, I noticed the conbook was rather shoddy and small. Small is fine - I don't read or collect them and all I really want are the schedule of events (though my husband WAS disappointed there were no stories since he reads them all). But they can be small and cheap and still not LOOK cheap IMO. Spend a little bit on money on the first impressions because they show off what type of con you want to be.
Speaking of which, what did I get back for getting a crappier con book? The registration was just as much as FC charges and there I get a nice big colour conbook and several dances and a huge amount of things to do at all times. At Califur this year the cabaret was still a extra 'pay for' event. There was no variety show AT ALL. Still no costume contest to cover that lack.
The panels were weak and scarce (a total of two fursuit panels? and nothing at all on construction?). The only big event cost extra. There was no swag. No fursuit badges. No silly keycards. reg was fast but still don't accept credit cards. The attendance badges were the nice stiff ones I like but that's really the only upside. To whoever decided on those and the artist that drew the design on the front I say think you. But it wasn't worth $100 to get two of those XD
It was just a lot of minor things that all piled up to, by the end of the con, just feel like a money grab with nothing at all to show for it above the most basic con requirements. Yes yes the money went somewhere I'm sure. But that is how it felt to a person that showed up and paid their fair share to attend. And who may reconsider doing that next year even though I'm usually a proponent on supporting events you attend but if all I do is go to the same hotel as everyone else then.. I want to actually be buying something of value hey. I think that is reasonable.
--
The good (ie Shades of Antheria): Well hey it's a furry con! Put people with shared interests together in the same area and cool things happen ^^ But it had nothing to do with the actual Califur events unfortunately. I attended the Saturday night dance for 10 minutes until I just could not handle the music choices anymore and fled and then did a walk through the Dealer's Den on Sunday because I figured I might as well. I am happy I went and I had a good time but if nothing changes then we will not buy a reg next year (my first time ever considering ghosting at a con) and if we had flown in (not just driven a few hours) then I would be swearing it off completely.
What needs to change: If the cabaret is going to be the ONLY large event (the pet auction really does not count sorry.) then it needs to be free and unlimited in number. It can be a unique draw if you allow it to be.. And if you are going to downsize and spend less on something so obvious as a con book then I want to either see where the extra $ is going, know why the change from before, or get something back in swag. I felt bad for the con book advertisers lol. And would not be surprised if they opt out next year.
--
TL;DR: The hotel and location are one of the most gorgeous for a furry con. Lots of cool things in walking distance. The cabaret is a unique, fun, draw that needs to be expanded and opened up. I will probably attend next year but I will consider very carefully where I spend my money which means that it may not go directly to the con unless I can see for myself that more people are actually interested in making it bigger and better and putting that money to good use. Califur is a growing con with a lot of potential but requiring registrants to make their own fun might not be the best direction to take if the idea is for them to continue to support the con with cheques and art :p
---
I want to thank the friends that showed up to hang with and the folks that I got to know a bit better this year and the folks that I met for the first time this year! All of you were cool peoples! (yay California) and, like I always say, it's truly the people and the camaraderie that make the con ^_^
Also! I do want to thank the folks who bought my shirts - it was a lot of fun just hanging out in suit hawking my swag ^_^ I was happy at the response folks showed them and what is left over will be for sale online next week.
--
Am I sorry I went? No. More on that later as I have a lot of downs before I get to the good.
- first impressions: Immediately upon receiving it, I noticed the conbook was rather shoddy and small. Small is fine - I don't read or collect them and all I really want are the schedule of events (though my husband WAS disappointed there were no stories since he reads them all). But they can be small and cheap and still not LOOK cheap IMO. Spend a little bit on money on the first impressions because they show off what type of con you want to be.
Speaking of which, what did I get back for getting a crappier con book? The registration was just as much as FC charges and there I get a nice big colour conbook and several dances and a huge amount of things to do at all times. At Califur this year the cabaret was still a extra 'pay for' event. There was no variety show AT ALL. Still no costume contest to cover that lack.
The panels were weak and scarce (a total of two fursuit panels? and nothing at all on construction?). The only big event cost extra. There was no swag. No fursuit badges. No silly keycards. reg was fast but still don't accept credit cards. The attendance badges were the nice stiff ones I like but that's really the only upside. To whoever decided on those and the artist that drew the design on the front I say think you. But it wasn't worth $100 to get two of those XD
It was just a lot of minor things that all piled up to, by the end of the con, just feel like a money grab with nothing at all to show for it above the most basic con requirements. Yes yes the money went somewhere I'm sure. But that is how it felt to a person that showed up and paid their fair share to attend. And who may reconsider doing that next year even though I'm usually a proponent on supporting events you attend but if all I do is go to the same hotel as everyone else then.. I want to actually be buying something of value hey. I think that is reasonable.
--
The good (ie Shades of Antheria): Well hey it's a furry con! Put people with shared interests together in the same area and cool things happen ^^ But it had nothing to do with the actual Califur events unfortunately. I attended the Saturday night dance for 10 minutes until I just could not handle the music choices anymore and fled and then did a walk through the Dealer's Den on Sunday because I figured I might as well. I am happy I went and I had a good time but if nothing changes then we will not buy a reg next year (my first time ever considering ghosting at a con) and if we had flown in (not just driven a few hours) then I would be swearing it off completely.
What needs to change: If the cabaret is going to be the ONLY large event (the pet auction really does not count sorry.) then it needs to be free and unlimited in number. It can be a unique draw if you allow it to be.. And if you are going to downsize and spend less on something so obvious as a con book then I want to either see where the extra $ is going, know why the change from before, or get something back in swag. I felt bad for the con book advertisers lol. And would not be surprised if they opt out next year.
--
TL;DR: The hotel and location are one of the most gorgeous for a furry con. Lots of cool things in walking distance. The cabaret is a unique, fun, draw that needs to be expanded and opened up. I will probably attend next year but I will consider very carefully where I spend my money which means that it may not go directly to the con unless I can see for myself that more people are actually interested in making it bigger and better and putting that money to good use. Califur is a growing con with a lot of potential but requiring registrants to make their own fun might not be the best direction to take if the idea is for them to continue to support the con with cheques and art :p
---
I want to thank the friends that showed up to hang with and the folks that I got to know a bit better this year and the folks that I met for the first time this year! All of you were cool peoples! (yay California) and, like I always say, it's truly the people and the camaraderie that make the con ^_^
Also! I do want to thank the folks who bought my shirts - it was a lot of fun just hanging out in suit hawking my swag ^_^ I was happy at the response folks showed them and what is left over will be for sale online next week.
--
Conbook had a second major flaw: No map. Needs a map.
Back when I was on staff, I was pushing the idea there should be some general-audience variety show. I was told "Okay, you handle it." I've no damn clue what I'm doing with that regard, even now, much less then.
I was planning originally to do a workshop class (Buy in, but that covers materials and you can opt out and just watch) on basic tailmaking, from cutting fur to finishing seams. I never did get confirmation if I could even charge a materials fee, and then other items came up that made me not follow up on it as I could have. Also when I was back on staff, I was trying to do more and more events. Workshops and Meets are one of the pillars of a convention, along with the dealer's room.
Whomever organized the fursuit parade needed their head fixed, because they only got half the dealers room in there. I didn't even know the parade was going on until I went to go throw something away, and discovered the parade in my way.
Dealers were treated very well - Glen Wooten, who handles the dealer's room for Califur, knows his stuff *very* well, and takes are of the dealers as both customers of the convention and people. Dealers get a full breakfast on Sat morning, and a Continental+ breakfast on Sun morning. Only con to do so.
Had only one problem with CFAC this year; mainly regarding being yelled at by one member for asking a bunch of people to step aside and not block a doorway. I'd be confused and peeved about that even if I had actually done it - I was just standing nearby when another member of CFAC asked them to move.
The hotel is in a good location, and I have no regrets helping get it, but it is a primarily business hotel in a business district, and not much is open during the con, foodwise. Lesigh! Used to be one of the locals would post a "Here there be Munchies" newsletter, but I didn't see any this year.
Reg was lightning fast and hardly had major issues - a friend of mine on staff for that department said that they were mostly bored. Mostly.
I can't really state much about the quality of events; due to my job and being a dealer, I was... unable to attend any events except for the Furoticon Tournament, which was run by a friend of mine.
I can't really think of much else to say/do, to be honest. As usual, I kinda missed most of the convention due to sleep or sales *laugh*
And the art show.. I'm not sure if I missed the signage but even being familiar with the general layout of a furry con I was really confused what it was exactly.. if I was even *allowed* to go in there or if it was some sort of official area for dealers or volunteers or what XD
But yeah, more events. I'm willing to even sponsor some of them, if I can secure a job and funding for my Furry Fuel energy drink xD
but once you pay for the main reg everything is free, some of the "Party" *cough*drinking*cough* rooms may pass the hat on a round or two but generally it is free the dances are free all panels are free, and it is Fur tolerant, while they do not have a furry section, I know I have worn wolf ears I bought from you and the only issue I had was that a guy was so drunk he thought that they were either part of my hair, or real ears.
I agree about con books, I mean if you want to cheap out, go b/w but make it decent paper, and get a decent binding. and that is a bum that they charge a add-on for an event, I can understand at a LARGE con, like when Hatsune Miku had a concert at A/X that was a seperate building but for the "main event being an add-on I say piff on them.
hopefully next year will be better.
but i still had a lot of fun! :D woo! ^^
If you went to the Cabaret Fur la Dance, they kept having 'technical difficulties" and such, and the show was dragged on for 3 hours...
This is because the new management of the hotel wants nothing to do with what we do. He kept attempting to 'pull the plug' on the show, and this is why we (The people who managed to buy tickets for the show) didn't get any sort of real nudity in this years showing.
It was honestly...kinda sad? Since Cabaret has been going on for as long as the con itself.
But my information has come from staff members telling me when I was curious why everything was so different, I knew something was up,
Also, I noticed the crowds were thinner, this was probably because Anthrocon was also happening at the same time (I heard it as an accidental date placement) but who knows. :C
All the other years were better than this, the times I went. The conbook was bigger, had a lot of art in it, the dealers were everywhere, but anyways...
Sucks. But I got to meet a lot of people, and I go to cons to talk anyways, other than buy stuff. (Even though I WAS looking forward to buying paws...but as you said, no fursuit dealers)
Meh. Their's always a next year.
Their is a new manager (as in...very new) that is not really thoroughly informed with what we do (that's what I heard) and that is what happened. He kept attempting to pull the plug. When the lights went off on the tiger lady, that was him, and he almost pulled the plug on even Cheza and Lance (The dirty dancers/Lap Dancers)
Suuucks.
the lack of a map really bugged me...especially since some of the rooms were mislabeled.
(though the lack of dealers makes me tempted to actually get a booth next year. That right there is an untapped crowd. People go to cons and want to buy cool stuff)
But I can be one hell of a creative individual...
Who can I talk to for me to help with concept ideas for the con?
I would like to help out on making the place better than what it normally is
But I remember past Califurs had a few neat panels.
I live a few hours away so its a good way to hang with my friends.
I would like to contribute my time to help them in the future, I just do not currently have the time.
There some nice stuff around Irvine and that area but you have to know the area to find it.
Hopefully they will expand the panels and activities, straighten out management and organisation issues.
Untill I have time to contribute, I'll just cross my fingers.
However, I don't feel I got my money's worth on my reg, considering I only did a quick pass through the Dealer's Den and didn't even hit up the dance. Which i'm not bummed about in the slightest cause I hear from most people exactly what you said. That and I passed out for, like, 2 hours Saturday night so me missing the dance wasn't really by choice.
Saturday felt more substantial only because I went out with my brother for most of the day. So I can't really comment on any day/afternoon activities. Nor did I go to the cabaret. Would I have if it was not an extra charge? Most likely.
I'll go back next year, and am even considering driving out Friday morning instead of Friday night. But only because I can easily split gas and room charges with several locals. So overall it's a very inexpensive convention.
If Califur wasn't just a 6 hour drive(making it super cheap and convenient to get to), I probably would not have gone.
Hello Beetlecat!
I was directed to this journal by some friends and wanted to reply as a staff member to some concerns you have.
The "conbook" which you are referring to is not a conbook. We decided to nix our conbook last year so we might help to fund some actives and equipment for events since we are big on shows. We took this idea from FWA as they have also killed off their conbook to help fund other things. The money for the old conbook went into theatrical so we could have a better sound system and main event space for dances, cabaret, pet auction and help to fund new things like projectors, game room equipment and more of the convention space.
The program book is an extremely condensed version of the conbook, and only has what info you really need for the con. We actually had been considering killing all together, but wanted to still provide hard copy event listings.
The map was missing from this year's book because of a last min change to the event space. This took place days before the start of con. The printed maps had to be discarded because they were incorrect.
We actually had variety three shows: Fabulous Furry Follies, Who's Line and and a game show in the gaming dept. Who's Line had to be cancelled due to running over time on another event.
Reg does take credit card, just not at con. We take paypal as a pre reg.
As for panels in regards to suiters, we are always open for people to host. A lot of times, the reason something is happening is because we had to cut it due to a lack of a host, or not a suggestion.
Cabaret is charged for because it is a limited event, we do not want to roll the price into reg as we feel that is would be unfair to those that do not want to attend... minors and others who can not go to the event. Same goes for ice cream social, and the GOH dinner. The cabaret requires a release form, which must be signed before entering the event this is another reason why we can not have this as a free event.
Everything i have not answered, I will be brining to staff's attention and is something that need to be said. Or, that is something that is a comment comment that we are working on currently. :)
OggyWolf
Variety Shows: Give them bigger billing! When I hear 'whose line' without any hype to it I just see a bunch of people doing bad impressions of celeberties in a small room. Not exactly a huge draw.. I want a call for events and preparation.
Panels: You can't just rely on people volunteering! Ask them! If there is a person that a person knows that does something cool and may be interested then get the word out. I may have hosted something if someone cared to ask me. But I'm not going to volunteer and try to push something through the bureaucracy.. TBH the small number and variety of panels came off as the con just doesn't care at all and simply took what was handed. True or not that's just how it looks from the outside.
I can see charging for the cabaret now. But with it gone you really do need another large epic event available to all ages to fill people's time and get them excited to come :)
Variety Shows: Many of them were plugged hard, but this was their first year running. From what I hear these events went off well and people enjoyed themselves. Especially the Game Show Panel that Essex hosted. Follies was ran by Zach, the host of Cabaret which I hear also was a blast.
Panels: I think it depends what panels you are looking for. I personally hosted two panels this year. My PANT panel was almost completely full, and we had a blast talking to Kamo from bad dragon. The Bronies loved the events and panels we set up for them, and the How to draw Furries panel I personally attended and loved Anuvia's pointers. Maybe I should ask what exactly you are looking for in Panels. We do ask people to host panels, and many times they do. The issue is we don't know all of who WOULD be interested in hosting panels. So at times we ask, and we get no reply or people drop that were going to host something. ( In example I hosted the Memorial panel because no one could host it.)
Cabaret isn't gone, perhaps these is a miss communication that that. I agree there needs to be larger events for all ages. It's a matter of finding people to do them. :)
I still disagree about the conbook size but that's fine maybe it's personal ^_^ As for the appearance i will try to explain... I don't keep them myself anyways but it's not about that to me so much as just how they portray the con as. Like how when you paint a box you need to paint the bottom of it as well. No one will see the bottom when displayed but the person buying it will appreciate the attention to detail. Having a shoddy conbook introduces the fact that I can expect the rest of the con to follow suit. True it's money and time wasted on appearance, but I still think it is a valuable expense. Like I said, downsize the book from what it was in previous years like you did but I firmly believe it is a good idea to try to make it look professional. At least neatly printed and bound if nothing else :)
Personally, I think the hotel they chose for Antheria was alot more prestigious than the Califur hotel. To add, you have the choice of a full-on accomidated gym, better restuarant selection and even the luxury of the beach and pier. Califur and Antheria should swatch con locations from time to time, and try to support one another instead of trying to out due each other. I mean come on, how is it that a group of people in a city or completely different country can organzize a con better than a convention held by people in one of the most popular and most diverse areas in the world (California)? I too see much potention for California furry cons....but not as long as drama and dick measuring gets in the way.
I seriously cannot say if I saw you or not. The only way I would have recognized you is either if you were out of suit, or wearing the suit I saw you wearing last year with your husband.
I didn't see you or Far at the con. I must of been at the wrong place and time. Hope Califur will be better next time around.