New Event idea - input requested
Hello everyone,
There is an idea for a new event, but before trying to arrange such a thing, I would like to get the input from our attendees.
One of the most common comments about Anthrocon is, "OMG, it's so big. When I first got there, I didn't know where to start." For first time attendees, especially those travelling alone, this can be a daunting experience. So an idea has arisen. A sort of "Mentor" program. On Friday of the convention, we can try to arrange a place where people who have never been to AC before can be grouped with some previous Anthrocon attendees. This would be a way to help you make a contact right from the start of the convention. You would have an initial "group" that could go out to lunch, go to some events together, and so forth. This could be arranged for say, 2 hours or so. After that time, you can go your seperate ways, or if you are having fun as a group, you can choose to exchange contact information and continue developing friendships and hanging out. Either way, the program would give first time attendees someone to talk to who has been to AC before and help you figure things out.
This is also an opportunity for previous AC attendees who really go more to socialize. This will let you build new friendships and get to know new people.
So I'd like to know what folks think? Is this something that people would be interested in? It's just an idea at this point and nothing concrete. But if the interest is there, it's definitely something we can pursue.
KP
It does sound like a neat idea. I might suggest that this be done on Thursday in addition to or in place of Friday. Things tend to get exponentially busier after Opening Ceremonies.
Sounds like a great idea.
At other non-furry gathers i've attended, i've often seen this work well, where folks who want to do so can get together once a day in a smallish group (maybe 10 or 15 or so) to hang out, do a round of hypes-and-gripes, maybe play a game...
I would suggest that if you divide folks into those small groups, though, that you try to encourage folks to commit to come each day, even if each time you meet is only very briefly. It's much easier to form good friendships if you see the same faces more than once.
If no one's going to facilitate the group(s), also, it mightn't hurt to put together a quick flier of stuff that those groups can consider doing together, if they're looking for things. Otherwise i could see a lot of folks sitting around, wondering if there's something that they ought to be doing, especially since something like this is probably going to appeal most to our shyer furs who may not be as good at getting the group rolling well.
Let me know if there's anything i can do to be helpful with this idea. It sounds like one that the furry community might really appreciate.
I think this sounds like a great idea. I had a bit of trouble last year with figuring out what to do, even with friends(we were all new) so I think this would be really helpful to the newere attendees.
I think its a great idea. I would totally volunteer to be a part of it.
As we have said many times, Anthrocon is truly fortunate to have the staff of so many other conventions helping us in a myriad of ways. I think it really says what a wonderful group of people we have in the furry fandom.
Thanks Gir, as soon as I can get things a bit mroe settled, I'd definitely love to have you as part of this. 
KP
That is an excellent idea!
(Also, I bumped this post to the front page and sent it out on our Twitter Feed)
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My LiveJournal - My Website - See what I'm doing on Twitter
Overall sounds look a good idea. I agree that adding a small one Thursday night also sounds good. There's a hell of a lot of people there Thursday.
As to whether I could do it, don't know. Friday can be hellaciously busy for people hanging stuff in the art show. I also had panels to run last year and ended up running around like a madwoman all day friday. I would have been totally unable to take someone with me unless they wanted to be my art slave and carry stuff. (and I HAD an assistant and still ended up running around like crazy. this year: Bring less art)
Side thought. While a formal "meet a mentor" thing is great, there's still a lot of folks that would miss it due to scheduling conflicts. Both people that need someone to show them around and folks willing to show people around.
What about offering "adopt me" ribbons to stick to badge? Charge an extra $1 or so at registration (or on online registration) to snag one. Have a sign up at registration that says the Adopt Me ribbons are intended for new attendees looking for someone to guide them. Please help them out if they look lost. Anything leftover above the actual cost of having ribbons printed goes to the charity.
You could do same for people willing to act as mentors. Offer mentor ribbons. Again, the tiny bit of extra cost covers the ribbon printing cost and the extra goes to the charity.
Or go with the OMG alien themes and instead of "adopt me" it says "Abduct me!"
That sounds pretty fun actually.
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The big blue husky, Blooski!
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That does sound kind of fun, but the only issue I see there is that an idea like that would be limitting who can take part.
Majority of AC attendees are working off of a budget for the convention, and the new attendees who would benefit most from this may not have that extra dollar to get an "abduct me" ribbon. Same goes with the mentors, not only are they being generous with allowing someone to tag along with them for a few hour on the first day of the con, but asking them to pay more money for something that may already be a bit of an inconvienece isn't that great of an idea.
So while I do think the ribbons could be a cute and fun idea, I don't agree with you on the charging extra to people who wish to partake in this.
I definitely think it's a good idea, and I'd be willing to volunteer for it
As this will be my first con ever, I think it is a great idea as well, I might have to come alone and I was very intimidated to the fact that I would know nobody except for those I have seen and know the names of on FA and Youtube at pervious cons, all a lot of furs I would love to meet and talk to^^ It would be great to have someone that has been to show the newbies around and introduce them to staff and or their friends etc.
Furry Rent-A-Friend would have helped me on my first few AC's.
"There is no such thing as a self critical jackal."
I like the notion, K.P.; It seems almost like having 'Tour Guides' to Anthrocon, it somewhat seems like, showing people around, pointing out where this and that are, what one does in each place, etc.
Perhaps we ought to generate a sample tour itinerary for them: stops at some of the major rooms/areas (Hall B, Ballroom, The Zoo, programming rooms). Maybe a bit of a spiel about the history of Anthrocon. Obviously we don't want to overdo or overformalize it, but something perhaps along those lines?
--CHi
If my plate weren't already too full, I'd love to be a part of this. One possibility, though, depending on scheduling: a tour of "Anthrocon Behind the Scenes", showing parts of the convention people might not normally see, including an explanation of some of what goes into A/V and video production, a walk through Hall B before/after hours, or something like that.
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
A/V and Video production, good idea.
A after-hours walkthrough of Hall B where the Dealer's Room and Art Show are: Bad Idea. A few minutes of thought will make my reasoning self-evident. How many people in the walkthrough? How much security would be required?
Skippy, D.I and Sgt. Steve, weigh in on this if you will. The opinions of the D.I. will be more influential than my input...
Keep in mind I'm one of the people in charge of stuff in Hall B before and after hours, and have been for several years As long as the groups are kept small and are escorted by a responsible party, there's no major concerns. Certainly I wasn't intending for anyone to go wandering amidst the dealers' merchandise! I was thinking more seeing how Artists Alley/Con Store and Art Show are put together.
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
I understood that, Duncan. It's just that the groups would have to be very small and escorted by the already-overworked D.I. Even if security could be pretty well guaranteed (it can never be absolute), what happens if someone claims the next morning that something's missing from their table? I just think the possible problems outweigh any prospective benefit.
A thought: what about a stop-motion camera overview of Hall B during setup? One frame every 30-60 seconds. If it's done right, that might serve the same purpose and, if the entire hall is shown, it might not interfere with PeterCat's (understandable) no cameras rule...
I'm a worrywart, I admit. I've seen too many 'good ideas' blow up in the faces of those who suggest them. In general, anything that compromises security is not a good thing and anything that adds to the burden of the security team is a bad idea as well. Murphy's Law applies everywhere, but sometimes it's easiest not to give Murphy a chance...
You know, I rather like the idea of a "Behind the Scenes" tour...maybe not so much in the dealer room off hours...but a "quick" tour showing Con ops, dealer room, artist alley, programming personel, A/V crew, registration. Someone could explain what was involved in getting things ready for the convention prior to getting on site and then once they were on site.
Let me mull it over. See if it's feasible with our staff workload.
I would say have a little of both
area for new furs + tours= fun for everyone ^^
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If there is light in the soul, There will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, There will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, There will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, There will be peace in the world
We could probably swing a brief tour of A/V if it were to take place during downtime. E-mail me so we can go over the details if we move forward with this
Steve Hopps aka "Simba Lion"
Director of Audio & Video
http://www.anthrocon.org/
E-Mail: smblion@anthrocon.org
Registration I wouldn't mind being a 'tour stop'. Of course, it's the one place at Anthrocon everyone has to visit anyway![*1] 
--Chi
[*1] Except for Guests, Staff, Jaime, the Board, housekeeping, Dorsai, Randy Gilson...
[*1] Except for Guests, Staff, Jaime, the Board, housekeeping, Dorsai, Randy Gilson...
Awww, c'mon...we all know staff don't really count.
Most of the time, we don't have enough fingers handy.
Further Confusion had something like this.
It was for first timers that included a tour of the entire convention.
Maybe you guys can have like 2-3 panelists to take small groups(If the group is big) and just tour the convention area showing all the rooms and answer questions if any
~V~
I'm considering something like that. The trouble is, AC's space is pretty large. We have even more rooms in the DLCC this year (basically we should have almost all of the South Concourse of the convention center, the main ballroom, Exhibit Hall B, and the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Westin. So a physical "tour" will take a bit of time.
What I may do...is offer a "tour" to those who wish prior to opening cermonies. Once the convention actually starts, most staffers will have duties and things to do to keep the convention moving and going.
I think this is a fantastic idea. I have been to many cons, Anthrocon included, where I have met someone who had come to the con alone and could have benefited from either a tour or a buddy system such as you have outlined.
If you end up cementing this idea into the con, I would love to be an ambassador. Please keep us posted.
Hello.
I'm new here to this site,..and I may seriously consider attending the con in 09 this year. I'm hosting a new podcast that deals with primarily funny animal comics,comic books, animated cartoons, illustrations and children's books. Superheroes NEED NOT APPLY! I'm so excited that Anthrocon exists and I really would love to attend.
Personally,...I wouldn't mind a "greeter" there to kind of show me the ropes so to speak,..but honestly,...I would probably not want to be committed to hanging with them nor have them feel like they must hang with me for anymore than just a few minutes. Being independent,..I kind of like my space and want to soak it all in for myself. That being said,....having someone there at the entrance to kind of "go over" how everything works would be GREATLY appreciated.
Others may want the guided tour,..but I think having that optional would be awesome.
My 9 year old would probably attend with me as well if I do choose to go this year. Like me,...he too is a fan of the funny animal cartoons of the 60's and 70's as well as the comic books from that era too. I've trained him right!
Can someone tell me if the con is primarily aimed for science fiction type animal characters only? If so,...that might not interest me. I can't quite get a handle on what is covered and what the main attraction is at these cons. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I would also love to purchase some ad space here for my Podcast if there is any space even available for rent on this site.
BOING! The Podcast about Funny Animal comics, animation and illustration. Beginning in March!
welcome ^^ we could always use more furs
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If there is light in the soul, There will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, There will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, There will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, There will be peace in the wor
I think you're a bit confused, due to this year's theme of "OMG Aliens!". Past themes have included "Making history", "Here There Be Dragons", "Furries in Flight", and such. Anthrocon is about anthropomorphic fandom of all sorts, from "Funny Animal" comic books, to fursuiting/mascotting, all sorts of artwork, books, culture and costuming. I'm rather certain Anthrocon will be to your liking! To read more about Anthrocon, Check out the 'What is "Furry"' and 'New to Anthrocon?' linsk to the left of this page.
You'll have to speak with our webmaster about advertisements on our website; we do happen to sell advertisements in the conbooks, or as insert flyers: http://www.anthrocon.org/advertising has the information about that.
Of course, any tour of this sort would be entirely optional. Every attendee gets their very own pocket schedule / convention guide set of documents, which will let you find your away around the convention and to events. You'll get those at Registration, where you can ask further questions of our helpful staff.
--Chi
Welcome! The panel on "So This Is Your First Con" would probably be useful for you and your son, even if you've previously been to other types of cons. It provides a general introduction to what happens at a con, and also gives an overview of Anthrocon's main events. It's usually scheduled for Friday, shortly after opening ceremonies (around noon).
I'm looking forward to your podcast, it sounds cool! I've sampled some of the other "furry" podcasts, but the ones I've heard are too boring, raunchy or gossipy about obscure people I've never heard of, or wander far off topic.
Once it's launched and has the bugs worked out, make sure to let Mark Evanier know -- it's the sort of thing he might find interesting and plug on his blog, News from ME. (Especially if you interview him! That's how I found out about Shokus Internet Radio.)
I like the idea its great so your not all alone and confused!!!
A mentor program? A very good idea, especially since it has been shown to better help those not used to a situation as well as increase a persons personality and willingness to engage in things.
I might be going to that even though 2 of my friends might be comming. They've been to Furfright and Furcon in the Rockies, but that was a long time ago. Oh, well, we'll see what happens!
I'd be up for it.
That sounds just fantastic! I think people would really be interested in it..I sure am ^^
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If there is light in the soul, There will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, There will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, There will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, There will be peace in the world
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