Furry Cons & Coronavirus
- Thread starter Simo
- Start date
Ra'ara Su'nai
The golden-voiced fox
It's not surprising to see that the people of Pittsburgh are hopeful for anthrocon to happen. The mayor said in the opening ceremony last year that he had people calling for months leading up to the convention asking "When are the furries coming back?"
FlooferWoofer
Blep.
I don't expect many conventions will happen, as all the hugs and close contact is a petri dish of cross-contamination. And then, due to all the traffic coming in from every state, the probability of interstate infection is very high. I think we are going to do the safe thing and not have them... and this is from someone who is getting their suit this year and wanted to go to AC... Maybe we should show people our community is responsible and forgo this for just one year. Again, I say this as someone excited to show off a new suit!
TyraWadman
The Brutally Honest Man-Child
Language!!!
MrSpookyBoots
Well-Known Member
I don't expect any fur conventions to take place for the remainder of the year. I can see it leaking into next year as well until a vaccine is developed, which will take some time.
Ziggy Schlacht
Hasn't figured out this "straight" business
Boy, is this thread interesting to read from March to now.
There's a secondary level to the cancellations beyond safety. Even if we can magically make the con hyper safe (PAX East was religious on sanitation which was wonderful, honestly, not even a sniffle from it, though I had very dry hands) attendance this year will be down. Cons that can't guarantee enough attendees to cover operating costs can't risk running.
As bit of an idea, a not-furry event I run every year that averages 120+ attendees is cancelling because we need a minimum of 40 paying attendees just to rent the venue. This ignores paying for anything that would people *want* to attend.
There's a secondary level to the cancellations beyond safety. Even if we can magically make the con hyper safe (PAX East was religious on sanitation which was wonderful, honestly, not even a sniffle from it, though I had very dry hands) attendance this year will be down. Cons that can't guarantee enough attendees to cover operating costs can't risk running.
As bit of an idea, a not-furry event I run every year that averages 120+ attendees is cancelling because we need a minimum of 40 paying attendees just to rent the venue. This ignores paying for anything that would people *want* to attend.
Simo
Professional Watermelon Farmer
That's my take on things, as well: I think it's going to be a while. Hoping to go to a con next March/April, but even that seems iffy. (Motor City Fur Con or Fur the 'More)
It is curious to look back, having started this thread, back in March, sheesh.
I'd agree that cons are going to take a while to bounce back, and for a number of reasons:
1. The virus is far from under control. There could be additional spikes in cases, and outright restrictions on travel and gatherings. Even without such restrictions, many people simply won't want to take the risk.
2. Going to a con with tons of rules about distancing will be much less fun, even if it might be technically possible. But a con without hugs, wild room parties, and the kind of reveries that I associate with past furry cons would make me delay going to one, until I was able to...better enjoy myself.
3. The economy is in the worst recession since the great depression. Many people are out of work, under-employed, and don't have the money.
4. This level of uncertainty and lack of knowing what to expect if a con were to be held will make it hard for cons to guarantee enough attendees to cover basic operating costs.
...my guess is that cons will start to come back next spring/summer; would love to go to one sooner but I find it best to wait till I know I'll be able to let loose, and enjoy things without worry.
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FlooferWoofer
Blep.
I've been telling myself "Ehh, maybe I'll go to Anthrocon next year" for almost a decade. Now that it's years later, and no longer an option it really highlights how much I took these things for granted sometimes. I want to support our cons and help them bounce back from a year of missed revenue and attendance growth by actually attending one next year. Let's just hope for the best that this Corona bunk doesn't stretch into 2021 somehow.
Gushousekai195
Fanatic Artist
Virtual cons just don't cut it as replacements for real ones. They're not the same. You can't physically feel the soft fur of a fursuiter at a virtual con. You can't physically hug your friends at a virtual con. You can't have a fursuit parade at a virtual con. If you watch a fursuiter dance, the dancer will be behind a screen instead of mere feet away. You can't have dance cyphers at a virtual con.
I simply cannot live without ever going to a con again for the rest of my life. ToT
I simply cannot live without ever going to a con again for the rest of my life. ToT
Z
ZeroVoidTime
Guest
You could get a huge teddy bear plushie to hug in place of fur suits.
Gushousekai195
Fanatic Artist
That won’t be the same. Teddy bears don’t hug back.
Simo
Professional Watermelon Farmer
Well, about 8 months since I made this thread. Is odd, looking back.
Looks like cons are still cancelled/not happening, at least though next spring; MFF has been nixed, and I see no plans for a con in The Motor City, or DC/Baltimore, typically held March/April.
I'm also wondering if some cons might just fold, as a result? Not sure how planning/budgeting works, but seems like there will be at least some casualties.
For my part, I really, really wanna go to a con again, but will wait until they are back to 'normal', as I wanna huggy, sensually immersive con experience, and think a socially distanced one would just not be much fun. And so...I will wait.
Looks like cons are still cancelled/not happening, at least though next spring; MFF has been nixed, and I see no plans for a con in The Motor City, or DC/Baltimore, typically held March/April.
I'm also wondering if some cons might just fold, as a result? Not sure how planning/budgeting works, but seems like there will be at least some casualties.
For my part, I really, really wanna go to a con again, but will wait until they are back to 'normal', as I wanna huggy, sensually immersive con experience, and think a socially distanced one would just not be much fun. And so...I will wait.
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Gushousekai195
Fanatic Artist
Toby_Morpheus
Hello, Proto
Went to Furality, a con held in VR Chat.
Closest approximation we will have for a while, I presume.
It was alright, I suppose. Technical difficulties here n there.
Raised a bunch of money for Saveafox, my favorite animal sanctuary.
Bought a hoodie, too.
Closest approximation we will have for a while, I presume.
It was alright, I suppose. Technical difficulties here n there.
Raised a bunch of money for Saveafox, my favorite animal sanctuary.
Bought a hoodie, too.
DireDrag0n
Not actually a dragon. Am catfish.
I've wanted to go to a VR con for a while now. Physical cons are obviously not safe with COVID around. We've even had a recent spike in cases. Are the physical cons going virtual, I wonder?
Toby_Morpheus
Hello, Proto
Majority of ones I've seen are just doing panels on Twitch or whatever.
At least VR cons still let you meet people.
Kumali
Lupine-American
Blue Ridge FurFare in Asheville NC is already planning on being a virtual event in 2021: https://www.blueridgefurfare.com
We're living in a time of plague, y'all. First things first.
We're living in a time of plague, y'all. First things first.
Kumali
Lupine-American
More updates:
From Anthrocon: "We hope that all our furry friends are doing well and staying safe during these trying times.
As we look towards 2021, due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID and our concerns for the safety of our attendees in a large gathering, we find it necessary to delay our typical October opening of online registration.
Hotel reservation dates will also be moved to a date later than usual. We will be evaluating our options through November and into December and will continue to post updates here to let everyone know when registration will open.
We apologize for the inconvenience of this delay; attendee safety is our priority."
www.anthrocon.org
Anthro New England in Boston is flat-out cancelled: https://furrycons.com/event/16176/anthro-new-england-2021
No word as yet from Fur The More one way or the other.
All the 2021 cons on this list https://furrycons.com/calendar/calendar.php?year=2021&loc=na other than Anthro New England appear to still be planning on going ahead, but at least for the ones in the first half of the year I'd say that's extremely optimistic...
From Anthrocon: "We hope that all our furry friends are doing well and staying safe during these trying times.
As we look towards 2021, due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID and our concerns for the safety of our attendees in a large gathering, we find it necessary to delay our typical October opening of online registration.
Hotel reservation dates will also be moved to a date later than usual. We will be evaluating our options through November and into December and will continue to post updates here to let everyone know when registration will open.
We apologize for the inconvenience of this delay; attendee safety is our priority."
An update regarding 2021 registration — Anthrocon 2023 - Anthropolis: Our Furry City - June 29-July 2, 2023
As we look towards 2021, due to the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID and our concerns for the safety of our attendees in a large gathering, we find it necessary to delay our typical October opening of online registration.
www.anthrocon.org
Anthro New England in Boston is flat-out cancelled: https://furrycons.com/event/16176/anthro-new-england-2021
No word as yet from Fur The More one way or the other.
All the 2021 cons on this list https://furrycons.com/calendar/calendar.php?year=2021&loc=na other than Anthro New England appear to still be planning on going ahead, but at least for the ones in the first half of the year I'd say that's extremely optimistic...
I can only speak on behalf of when I bought tickets for Megacon Orlando 2020. That was back in 2019 when I bought the VIP pass. At first, they postponed the convention, then celebrities canceled the appearances. They managed to get other celebrities to come in for the postponed dates. When things didn't get better, they postponed it again until October calling it a limited Halloween event or something like that. They allowed people to request a refund. However, I didn't get the full refund of my VIP pass. I did get the majority, but fees were taken out for the "VIP privileges" only available to VIP pass holders, which I think was a separate email to their staff & concierge.
They didn't outright cancel Megacon 2020 until they exhausted every possible date this year. They need money and probably already spent money to vendors of the convention center, any fees to bring top celebrity guests, and any expenses that were non-refundable to them. Now Megacon Orlando is happening in March 2021 for now. I don't know if they'll even be able to host one in-person for March 2021.
As others who were saying on here, a social distancing convention under CDC guidelines wouldn't really be fun, at least in my opinion. I go to conventions for celebrity appearances or exclusive merch. Even if they got celebrities, if I have to be at least six feet away to take a picture with a celebrity, I'm not paying money for that.
They didn't outright cancel Megacon 2020 until they exhausted every possible date this year. They need money and probably already spent money to vendors of the convention center, any fees to bring top celebrity guests, and any expenses that were non-refundable to them. Now Megacon Orlando is happening in March 2021 for now. I don't know if they'll even be able to host one in-person for March 2021.
As others who were saying on here, a social distancing convention under CDC guidelines wouldn't really be fun, at least in my opinion. I go to conventions for celebrity appearances or exclusive merch. Even if they got celebrities, if I have to be at least six feet away to take a picture with a celebrity, I'm not paying money for that.
Simo
Professional Watermelon Farmer
Maybe once physical cons start up again and a vaccine arrives,, they'll require furs to wear an official, cute 'lil tag, as proof of vaccination, kind of like when you take dogs or cats on a plane
One can hope!