any time in the summer :3 although its busy with cons

or anytime from may-september

Well, a hole just opened up in the spring......

We had been discussing the possibility of moving since closing ceremonies in August so it IS ironic that opened up. However we would never relocate to that time without the overwhelming majority of iFC attendees backing that change, and making sure said move would not be disrespectful to the memory of FCN (it was my first furry convention i'm still kindof in mourning about it...)

I wouldn't think of it as disrespectful at all. FCN was a favorite of mine as well. But they are gone, and there is a local spring void to fill. Think of it as a tribute.

Quetico's right about the idea not being disrespectful. You really can't move much earlier unless you move way earlier like that. No point in conflicting with Anthrocon and other early summer events. Mind, I have no objection to your existing time frames. Weather is usually hospitable then, no cold or rain, and not usually overly hot.

After this year's conflict with the hotel restricting fursuits, though, I'd say take a long look at another venue. If that means changing dates, you have a good reason.

I feel as though the spring is pretty thin for cons, especially in the midwest upon the departure of FCN. I say back it up a bit.

We had been discussing the possibility of moving since closing ceremonies in August so it IS ironic that opened up. However we would never relocate to that time without the overwhelming majority of iFC attendees backing that change, and making sure said move would not be disrespectful to the memory of FCN (it was my first furry convention i'm still kindof in mourning about it...)

Oh, I didn't mean that to sound like "TAKE FCN OVER! YOU CAN REPLACE IT!", just noting a wider span of time that is rather empty in this region, and has simply recently become more open/empty.

With the closure of FCN, that could be an ideal timeslot

We had been discussing the possibility of moving since closing ceremonies in August so it IS ironic that opened up. However we would never relocate to that time without the overwhelming majority of iFC attendees backing that change, and making sure said move would not be disrespectful to the memory of FCN (it was my first furry convention i'm still kindof in mourning about it...)

I would say I would prefer it be in summer, particularly if you guys worked on combining into GenCon. If you did spring, I would still attend (seeing as I live incredibly close!) although I would prefer it to be held in a different hotel!

Holding on the weekend of Gencon has been suggested, but most people we've talked to about that did not like they'd have to split their time between the two on the same weekend.
We are still discussing our potential options regarding renewal with the Sheraton or moving dates. That's a big reason why we're looking for replies to this question :D

Yeah, I could see some competition there. If you did move it to spring, I guess the infrastructure would be there at gencon to do something smaller in the summer during gencon since it is a much friendlier suiting space than most isolated hotels would be, and you wouldn't have to deal with too much as far as artist's alley and all since it is all established and cosplay rules and boundaries are already set (Although that would possibly be more work than a team would be willing to commit to!)

As I said in the email I just sent, Should take the place of FCN.

1) more people will be looking for a con to replace FCN
2) tax checks, more money to be spent to help the con grow
3) more attendance

4) Only downside, is that school isn't out yet, but with it being over a weekend that shouldn't be too much of an issue

Sometime in September or October might be better for me as I am unsure how winter driving in Michigan and Indiana will be.

^THIS

could get kinda expensive though

Have 2 cons! IFCN in march and IFC in august! Just please no 9-6 rules :I

*see above comment*

FCI and IFC though

Furry Connection Indianapolis

Furry Connection Indianapolis?
.....

thats too soon, isn't it D:

I think honestly it is fine for me. I don't travel far for AC or IFC. Kinda not a good judge on that. Winter cons suck because well ice and snow... but cool weather is awesome for suiting.

The big topic here is whether or not move IFC to spring to replace FCN.

I believe IFC should stay in August, personally. Primarily, the new Gateway FurMeet will be very close to FCN's old calendar spot and less than 4 hours away from Indy. Plus, I think there's a large benefit to IFC being right before college students go back.

That being said, if IFC was moved to mid-to-late April, I would actually be just as likely to attend in 2014.

As a college bound fur I'm sure myself and many others will agree that the time as it stands is fine. Typically soon after this date many people go away to school, so this is what a lot of people consider to be their last hurrah before having to go back to school. This allows us as students to not have the convention interfere with schooling say for summer classes, which typically end right before the convention date. The biggest consideration for me for going to a convention comes down to "will this interfere directly with my studies?" And this con's date fits the bill of avoiding that issue.

^ This. iFC is literally the only convention I can make it to, half because of the timing. Keeping it as a summer con is incredibly convenient, and the nice summer weather makes it easier to go and travel around Indianapolis for shopping/exploring, should the need arise. Of course, to a non-college fur, I can see why they wouldn't care. But for the group of us who are college furs (And the one of us who is a Minnesota college fur. =._.=), the summer times are a good niche.

One big thing I've heard every year from locals is/has been how close it is to GenCon, and now with 2 other Fur comes (3-4?) in the midwest with cons in August and September it is getting a bit tight..

I don't care when it gets moved to, though winter isn't ideal because the one issue MFF runs into is the holiday season. Furs don't spend as much money because it's black friday/Christmas time.. Spring or Summer is really the only sensible time slots and honestly.. summer/early fall is getting pretty crowded..

For us August is crazy for conventions, there is Condition the first week, Ifc the next, Camp Feral after and Mfm labor day weekend

I like it as is.

Personally, I'm thinking April/Spring would be a smart move. Glossing over reasons I gave to a couple of board members; tax refund checks = con money. Easy slot open. I mean no offense to the 2-3 cons that are starting up this year, but ifc is established. A potential change of scenery (if the Sheraton can't take ifc in April, is it really a bad thing?) might benefit (omg gonna miss Tanya).

I know that the poo-pooers stating that cons that change dates die off fast, but those cons typically have to move because they have no other choice. This is a conscious decision and from the rumblings I'm hearing, more folks are thinking that April is a good thing, because it gives more breathing space between AC & MFF for those of us south of the tree line, and it opens up a better chance for Condition up in Canadia to flourish in August.

PS The weather. I know it's not one end of the country vs the other, but let's face it. You're less likely to have a blizzard in April in Central Indiana than you are in Detroit. Temps will be warmer in general, so better potential for outdoor activities (photoshoots etc) and the smokers.

*shrug* just some observations.

well as long if its not during army drill or army training in Virginia, we can have it anytime in the spring or summer. That way I have time for other cons for rest of the year

If hubby and I ever want to go, NOT having it the same time as a car race going on would be great. Aug. for us would seem ideal since we both go to FWA which is in March.

Moving it earlier in the year would help this Illinois fur. The expenses for my daughter's schooling hits right at con time in August so earlier would help me actually plan and make it this next time. Plans fell apart this year, sadly, so I still have yet to make it to IFC.

Every year since iFC's inception, it has always coincided with the Pokémon World Championship. So, if iFC stays in Aug, could the date be possibly not on the same date? I know that is a bit of a long shot, but it never hurts to ask.

Funny how I was thinking that if IFC moved to the Spring time, they might have a chance on growing into a bigger con. I woiuldn't think jumping right away is the best idea. Maybe stay with the current date in 2014, then take on the new date in 2015? (Of course, this could cause some strain on staff because they'd have to hurry up and plan the 2015 con quickly.) This way the original date can be kept vacant to honor our missing convention and then the time comes to take on the task of filling that date the year after.

*late spring* nodnod.

Yeahhh... with the recent turn of events, I don't expect this to happen now.

erf?

FCN has a replacement con (MCFC) and there is another sort of midwest con going on around that time as well over in St. Louis. I highly doubt there will be any time slot move at this point.

The main reason I do not come to IFC is because of how close it is to MFM. NOW if it was moved to April. and my B-day weekend..... HMMMMMMM it would come back into consideration

I don't mind either way. As long as it isn't in July or March I'm fine.

Email sent and as said in there i wouldnt be to apposed to spring as well though i do like when it is now but change can be good.

Not sure, I did not find anything majorly wrong with the current date. Though some of the hotels rules like no fursuits in the lobby until a certain time while other people could just walk thru our con a bit annoying.

Though I do see some pluses of moving it to spring around when FCN used to be.

I like it being in August. I work retail, so my con season is kind of opposite of my heavy work season. I start with Morphicon in May, then Anthrocon, IFC, and Furlaxation in September ends it, and that's about when Layaway season picks up and I can't get a weekend off to save my life! I vote it stays In August.

Moving can be expensive for contracts alone much less the shift for all the staff to get a con going from your usual timeslot to the April time share. Granted you don't actually have to *move* anything unless you also have to swap hotels, as it tends to be more expensive at the start of the tourist season then late end when they are more willing to haggle to fill dead seats.

Lots of change to move from advertising to logistical goodies but if it is doable, and your fans support it, sounds like its worth at least doing the hotel and other contract groundwork to see what costs are involved. You never know it could be even better for you pricewise so I would say poke around and see what deals might be on the table. Hotel is always your big issue and if they are booked with other events though then you get to do the *new hotel* pain and dance.

Gaia bless and good luck!
Pakesh_De
ChairCritter for Furnal Equinox