You mean "I" can run a panel?

Hi everyone!

I wanted to take a moment to dispel some myths about panels being run at Anthrocon. I can't speak for any other conventions. (Ok, well, I can speak for 2 others since I staff those as well.) However, here are some things you may or may not know about panelists and events at Anthrocon.

Myth #1: People who host panels at Anthrocon have been hosting panels for many years.

Totally false. Some people who host panels may have done so for years, but others may be doing panels for the very first time. Just because you have never hosted a panel before, doesn't mean you can't or are not qualified to do so. If you feel that you have something of interest to the furry community that others will find educational, interesting, or even just plain fun, then you are qualified.

Myth #2: Anthrocon creates all the panels that you see on the schedule.

Also false. The sum of Anthrocon's programming is the result of the donated time and talent of our attendees. At closing ceremonies each year, if someone says, "Hey, I'd like to see a panel about "X topic", we usually ask if you'd like to host it. We're not joking. While some staff members do host some panels and events, we are completely reliant on our membership to create and provide the wonderful panels and events that makes Anthrocon the experience that it is. It really is all of you that make the difference.

Myth #3: I don't know anybody. So nobody would come to my panel...right?

WRONG! When people pick up the programming guide, they are going to look at the long (and it will be long) list of events that are there. They may or may not know every single person that will be hosting an event. However, they may see the topic and go "Man, that sounds WAY cool! I'm going to that!" If you are talking about something that appeals to at least 10-15 people, you have the recipe for a successful panel or event!

Myth #4: Whoa! I know a lot about coin collecting! Maybe I should hold a panel about that!

Ok...hold up for a minute here. Remember that Anthrocon is a convention that deals with Anthropomorphics. That means animals with human like qualities. While this can cover a wide range of topics, there are some things that just don't fit with our genre. Now if you wanted to do a focus panel on "Furry Coin Collecting" and talk about Chinese Panda coins, The Canadian "Loon" Dollar, the US "Buffalo" nickel, and the like...that would be perfectly appropriate. But general coin collecting wouldn't be in our scope. This type of focus created such groups as the "RadioFurs", The "Aquafurs", and many others. Be certain that if you want to host an event, that it somehow relates to the furry community.

Myth #5: I come to Anthrocon more to socialize than anything, so panels won't mean very much to me.

Oh how wrong you can be! Many of the "panels" and "events" at Anthrocon are in fact social mixers. Some of the most successful to date have been the Fursuiter Meet and Greet (which is really more of a big fursuiter party than a sit-down and introduce yourself event), the Northeast Furs Meet and Greet (which was an opportunity for many folks in the Northeast US to get together and others to meet folks from that region), and the Husky Dog Meet/Greet. All of these are highly social events for folks with a common interest. They were loosely structured as just a room for folks to get together, hang out, and maybe play a little music in the background for folks to meet new friends. If you want to host a meet and greet or other type of social mixer for furs with a similar interest, there may be MANY people who go to that event. After all, there were almost 3400 people at AC last year. There are TONS of opportunities for social events.

Myth #6: Programming at cons is the same thing over and over. It never changes.

Wrong again. One thing Anthrocon tries very hard to do is continue listening to our attendees and work with people to provide new events and ideas in the programming. Some popular events return year over year. This includes the Story Hour, The Fursuit Parade, the Masquerade, "Your First Anthrocon", etc. But as Anthrocon has grown, so has its volume of programming. We listened to input from last year, and will be having concurrent fursuit and club type dances. We have opened up more space for concert type programming and comedy type events. The Zoo has expanded again to encompass the largest physical space that we've ever provided. The Puppetorium will have a puppet stage available for lots of people to use throughout the convention. And the fursuiters held their first competitive dance event last year. And this year we have even MORE programming space available than we did last year! Anthrocon's programming changes and grows every year, and this year, we think it will be bigger and better than ever!

Anthrocon is a summertime celebration of everything in the "furry fandom." And YOU can be a part of it. Maybe you'd like to do some storytelling. Share your knowledge of a particular animal or animal group. Perhaps you have a craft or artistic talent you'd like to help others learn. Well, if it's furry related, Anthrocon would love to give you the opportunity to share that with your fellow fans! If you are interested, contact the programming department at so that we can include your panel/discussion in our kaleidoscope of events.

KP
Anthrocon Programming Director