First Time Congoers

My very first Con

Gubaguy — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:25:19 -0700

ok so i hope to attend AC 2009 several problems with this first and most problomatic being my mother this is my first con and she thinks its a bad idea for me to go alone and no matter how many times i tell her i wont be alone (im goin with a friend) she still thinks its bad even though i have 313 days till the con to plan for any problems or such things

see she thinks that when she was 15 she was mature enough to take care of herself when she got stranded at an airport for 3 days but as a soon to be 17 year old im incapable of caring for myself even if i plan out everything from my budget to when i leave the house to when i get back why? shes dumb... plain and simple

back to the topic this would be my first con and if anyone can answer my questions it would help me get ready for it:
1. since im only 17 when the con comes around i cant get my own room at the hotel can my parents call and arrange it for me but i still pay for my own room?

How early is too early to make reservations?

spazghost — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:21:14 -0700

Hi all,
Me and a friend of mine are planning on attending AC 09. First time going to a con for both of us. I tend to be extremely over prepared for stuff and decided to book my hotel reservation already. Is it way early for me to have made reservations? I've never had to deal with large hotel booking situations like this before and am concerned that there might be a problem and I lose my reservation.

If anyone can let me know what would be the best course of action here, that'd be great

Edit: If it makes any difference, the room I booked is at the Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown

Never been too a con, somewhat nervouse

Neon — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:24:04 -0700

Through the advice of some fellow furs, and largly influenced by 2 the ranting gryphons work, I've decided I'm going to do my best too make AC 2009 my first ever con, and in fact, my first ever venture outside the UK.

I'm somewhat worried though about traveling to oand from the con, such as the airports, arranging travel in the USA and all that fun stuff.. but also on alot of the aspects of what a con truely is.

I've read through some of the other forum topics, and AC information itself (Such as registration, tipping advice and travel plans) But I am still deathly nervouse about making the trip itself. I've never flown, never traveled long distance, and due too some phobias revolving around people, my social and traveling skills arent what they could be, leaving me somewhat clueless on what I should do in terms of Travel arrangements

Want to go to AC, but what's the cost?

JessKitt-08 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:05:15 -0700

Hello everyone =3
I've already checked on flights out of Marquette, MI to PIT (the airport nearest AC).
For two adults (myself and my mate) it's about $553 (leave mad early on July 2nd, leave later July 5th)...... BUT that's just right now....... that's always subject to change XD We all know how air travel goes.

I estimated myself of a budget for about $800, but that's only if i had room mates and such.

That's what I need... room mates >3

I'm trying my very best to go but wont know for sure until January probably.
Also, if you're interested in rooming with me, please please please let me know. Or, if you have a group and can take two more people that's great too =3

We're both OK with sleeping bags and the floor =3 We've had to do that for many things so it's not a big issue with us ^_^ I can bring a cooler too *nod*

convincing parents

xiath — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:02:09 -0700

(first off, i am horrible at posting in the right boards so if this is in the wrong area please move)

Ok, so I need some help. After absorbing some of the the vast amount of knowledge given by this site, and Youtube video's of AC, I want to go to AC more then anything in the world, but I have a slight problem. How to i convince my parents to let me go? I am planing on trying for 2011 because that is the year that I will be 18 so it may help in convincing my parents to let me go (I know that I am a legal adult at 18 but I don't want to go behind my parents backs and risk losing their trust over a con). They know nothing about the fandom (they know I like to draw 'animal people' though), but that is not the main reason why I fear they may not let me go. It is because I will have to go alone because I don't know any furs IRL.

please help me, BIRTH DAY GIFT FOR GF AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DOO!!!

kitsuneinlove — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:29:48 -0700

Hi me and my love were talking about coming out to your convention next year,i wanted to know,me and her will be 17,i turn 17 jury 6th, would i need i parent form to be able to get in? and if so would i be able to pass off my gf as well since im an adult?,thank you for your time,also on that note,what will we need,?how much would me and her cost to get in? what are the times you start till the time its over,from when it opens in the morning till the time at night,someone please help this is her birthday gift and i want it to be speacil for her

regards- Mark and Marjarie

When to reserve.

videogame30 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:05:15 -0700

I'm not sure if this has been asked or not. If it has, I apologize.

I'm planing on going to AC next year, but I'm worried about getting a room at the Westin. When would be a good time to start making hotel reservations?

Thank you all for AC'08

Mantitaur — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:45:46 -0700

Hello people

I want to thank everyone for the wonderful time I had at Anthrocon 2008, it was even better then I expected. I will try to come many more times in the future.

Though I doubt if I can make it to the 2009 AC, cause I have a few plans that will keep me gone till at least 2010, but then I will have a fursuit with me.

Everyone that saw me this year or that met me regocnized me of the Aestir the Arcanewolf badge I was wearing, I want to say hi to all of them.

Greetings Mantitaur2 Rainbow aka Aestir the Arcanewolf

finding an artist

Shardwolf — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:15:19 -0700

i commissioned and paid for a badge on sunday. i was never able to find the artist but she was number 95 on sunday. anyway for me to find out her contact info. her names escapes me as well

Thank you to everyone from AC

Kaarlo the roadie — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:20:15 -0700

I'd like to throw a thank you at everyone who i met apart from AFR staff and actually recognized me *throws*

Now yes, Coming from Finland to AC was HORRIBLE, i hate flying, a lot of airport time, when i got back, storm delayed me 9 hours from the original time i would touch back down to finnish soil...

BUT! The actual con was amazing, it was just the way i thought it would be, special cheers for the fact that Giza, SGT. Steve and Kage (sorta) recognized me by the name *grins*

2's rant (which i hope will be availeble somewhere for me to get) was awesome, and a cheer for Jibba, a great warmup too.
And the greatest part of the actual con... the improv, i almost died laughing, my throat was terribly sore after the rant and improv, a big hand for that.
Only a great amount of alcohol cured my throat by the way.

Bottom line is, thank you. And i hope i can get there next year

i have a younger friend who wanted to go but...

Raiko_Tea_Wolfen — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:57:17 -0700

i couldnt understand if he needed his parents there.he is 16(if he has the signed paper and everything) would he be able to come with me?w/o his parents.thanks for any info

Pre-Registration Badge pickup... on Friday?

Kittiara — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:26:54 -0700

Hey there. :3

Well, I'm heading to my first AC (not my first furcon, but a couple hours at Furfright back in '04 didn't really cover it and let's not even get into "Otakon"), but since I won't be arriving until Friday early afternoon, where should I pick up my badge?

Examining the schedule, there are blocks for badge pickup on Thursday, but is there a permanent location I can go to on Friday to retrieve my badge?

Thanks!

Registration

Gravitycrasher — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:21:54 -0700

I've been to the con before, but it was different to register than before. My problem is I have no photo I.D. I believe I have my birth certificate but I don't know exactly how I'm going to get in. I'm a minor. I'm wondering if I could use my school I.D. in addition to my birth certificate. Although I can take my permit test, there's no guarentee that I'll get my permit by con time. Help!?

New Congoer!~

Juicebox — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:45:00 -0700

Hello. This is my first time going to anthrocon, and I'm super excited. I wish I could dress up, but i didn't have a chance to buy a fursuit. What do people sell there? C:

Another poten'shly weird Artist Alley question...

slashersivi — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:47:29 -0700

Sooooo after putting together my itinerary I have determined I won't be able to spend much time in Artists Alley after all, due to the abundance of other things I want to do :[ The time I have set aside for it may not happen either, if I am unlucky with the lottery.

So I was wondering, if say someone had picked up one of my business cards but I was no longer at the alley when they decided they wanted a commission, could I accept it and like... meet them at the table where the transactions are happening, or does the AC staff only process transactions if the artist has a table in the alley?

Sorry for being such a pain in the butt!

-Tory

Art Room Questions

Featheredragon — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:21:49 -0700

Q1: Are we allowed to bring a small portfolio/folder into any artrooms to store our purchased art in?

Q2: What about backpacks?

Q3: So, no cameras in those rooms, right?
(Obviously, taking photos of individual artwork is a no no but what about photos at large (eg. a shot of the room, etc.)?

Thanks,

~FD~

Explain: Buying from artists--"via agent"???

Featheredragon — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:45:13 -0700

Hello hello,

Question 1:
(a) So, if an artist is being represented 'via agent' does that mean that they are either not present at the convention and/or we cannot speak with them directly there?

(b) I mean, what if you want to commission an artist but first want to explain to them exactly what you want? Does that mean you'd have to write everything down and submit a note to the 'agent' who would then forward your request?

Question 2:
Should we expect any 'via agent' artists to deliver any commissioned artwork via mail? (Assuming of course that my suppositions above are correct.)

Endnote:
I guess I'm looking for someone to elaborate on what I should except at the convention when an artist is listed as 'via agent'

Thanks a bunch!

Probably a dumb question

Makki — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:36:35 -0700

...BUT... I was wondering ^_^;;; We doddled too much and never pre-registered. SO, we're going to have to register at the door. Is there any set time we're allowed to register? Is there a place we need to go to get in or is the pick up literally at the door?
Also to register- cash only? or will a card work? I'm already planning on bringing cash to purchase things in the dealers den etc, but should I go ahead and take the cash to get in at the door?

Sorry, first con and all and I guess I'm getting jittery and anxious! lol

A Doll Invited To Anthrocon

RubberBekki — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:52:49 -0700

Hello all! I'm sure it will seem strange for a rubbery humanoid creature to be here. but anyways...

I've been invited to Anthrocon by a couple friends who will be attending (specifically Jovina and Lucky Dog). Since I'm into various types of masking and costuming (primarily spandex and latex) I'm sure this will be an eye opener in more ways than one.

While I don't have a fursuit at this time I do have a nice spandex bodysuit to start with. I may just find a themed mask to better fit in. However, primarily, I'm an invited guest. I won't be wearing anything revealing or explicit. Just wondering as to best coexist amongst the furry population.

--Bekki

Fursuit shy.

Lady — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:06:55 -0700

Hi, all.

This is my first furry con!

Additionally, I made my own fursuit.

I feel really shy about my fursuit, compared to ones made by Joecifur or Mixed Candy.

Has anyone ever seen another fur taunted because someone else doesn't like their suit? I am a little apprehensive-- especially since it is my first. [ It's a partial.. ]

Thanks.

-Lady

Anthrocon costs

Chinchy — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:55:54 -0700

Hey, I'm going to make an effort to go to AC next year, and I'm trying to figure out a ballpark estimate of how much I'll need to save up for it. I know that stuff like how much spending money I'll need varies depending on what I intend to buy, so I'm not going to ask about factors like that. What I'd like to know, though, is how much a room at the Westin costs per night (I know it's not realistic but I'm going to pretend I'm paying for the room by myself for the sake of the equation), and how much parking usually costs.
Thanks for the time!

Got some questions.

Tecopet — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:48:43 -0700

1. I assume you need to be 18 to register, but I'm pretty much 18 just a month away, will that matter and if so my friend is 18 and he'll be with me so is he then able to sign for me?

2. How long does the con go on for, not date wise but time wise? Does it go on for so long or is it all night?

3. Will there be lockers/storage areas?

Excited to attend, happy to meet you!

vilsy — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:13:40 -0700

Hello everyone. This will be my first furry convention and I'm immensely happy to be attending and to have the chance to meet you. From what I see from just the forums, everyone seems very welcoming, fun and friendly. For years I've been going to the Otakon anime convention, but after last year I said to myself... "What am I doing...? I'm a furry!!" I've always loved and drawn anthros so I was really questioning myself as to why I've never been an active part of the community. So here I am, hopefully where I belong. I shall be dragging my boyfriend along who is really open to furries, and has even been inspired to run a furry D&D campaign. *guffaw* I have a lot of furry characters I relate to, but I don't really have a fursona. I know it isn't required in furry fandom, but I can't help feeling I'm missing out on something. Anyway, it's nice to meet you all and I look forward to possibly seeing you during the con!

WHO DREW A MONKEH ON MAH MAIL!!

Zeke Shadowfyre — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:38:40 -0700

LOL

I just recieved the Conformation letter today ans since this is my first time comming to AC, will I need to bring it to get my Con badge?

Non furs

Makki — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:52:29 -0700

Hello everyone! ^_^ I am still definately planning on the AnthroCon trip and am VERY excited! Its coming up SO fast! I'm all set and ready!

However, my sister and niece are planning on attending along with me. No big deal for me, it'll be fun! Plus I'll have people there I already know and feel comfortable with. My sister even talked about a friend of hers wanting to go along as well. They are all non furs, so I want them to get the best out of this experience without being totally weirded out by it all.

So, any suggestions for preparing them? I'm not quite sure what the con-scene is like myself, so this'll be an experience for myself as well. But what about non-furs? Are there any suggested pannels or areas they may enjoy? What about thing such as badges? Should they create a sort of quick fursona for themselves or what?

Im just trying to see what I can do to help them out best I can here. Thanks for all the tips you can give! ^_^

First Time at AC

pandemonium — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:13:42 -0700

Just wanted to post and say hi! As the subject says, this is my first time at AC. Actually, my first time at a furry con in general. I do DragonCon every year, but that's really a mixed-media con. Made a resolution this year to get out and do something in the furry world. So here I am! Finalized my registration the other day, have my plane ticket, and have a friend to crash with. I'm really looking forward to this (even despite the stomach butterflies) and am counting down the days!

See you all there!

Good places to eat/get supplies?

Kytheraen — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:49:39 -0700

I'm coming to AC from the UK for my first ever con, I'm really looking forward to it and I'll be staying at the Westin. I have a couple of questions though:

Can anyone recommend any good restaurants nearby? I'm not fussed about walking far, I have good boots. I like Italian and Oriental primarily, but I've been told I need a place that serves a good cheese steak.

A mall?

A convenience store?

I hope peeps can help me with my queries.

Kyth

Artists Alley Question

JasenTamiia — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:10:51 -0700

Im just wondering if I would need a Pennsylvania Temporary Seller's Permit to sell prints or take commissions when participating in Artists Alley...

and if so, where can I easily apply for one?

I can't seeeemmm...

ih — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:34:38 -0700

to find the answer to my question. Even if I have a gaurdian with me, I still can't go into the mature art show? There's no way for a minor to get in there?

Looking for Artists' Alley advice

slashersivi — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:52:01 -0700

Hullo, hullo...

I'm not a very well-established artist and this is obviously my first con, but I was thinking about trying to spend a day in the Alley. I've read the FAQ about it already but would like to hear from artists who have done it before:

- How do your operations go generally? (a story of your last year or whatever would be cool!)
- What size/type of paper/pads do you bring, and what other materials?
- Do people tend to want commissions more or do your own drawings sell well?
- Edit: well the business card question was answered thoroughly!

I'm also interested in how people do badge commissions AT the con - do you use a size/type of paper that fits in a standard badge holder or do provide the attachments? Or whatever.. x_x

Any advice would be appreciated!

-Tory