I’ve finished off all the data analysis for my annual Midwest FurFest Registration report and I have an outline for the report, but somehow the idea of actually starting to write the darn thing isn’t appealing right now. It’s notable that the report will be much shorter than last year’s, which was so big I had to split it into two reports. This year’s will be shorter because, well, so much went right, for a change. That made the whole experience much more pleasant, and I wasn’t nearly the basket case that I have been in the past.
I have gleaned some useful information from talking to folks during and after the convention: many people talk about how MFF has a different “feel” from other conventions. While this makes me glad (it’s always good to have something that sets your convention apart), at the same time it worries me, because if you can’t quantify something, you may accidentally screw it up and not find out until it’s too late. From my discussions, I find that a lot of things contribute to the atmosphere of MFF, from the hotel (the lobby, so well-suited for socializing), to the location (near so much shopping and restaurants), to the scheduling (an insane amount of programming through the weekend).
The biggest factor I found, though, was the staff. People found MFF’s staff pleasant and easy to work with, and that really enhanced their convention experience. So, to MFF staff and volunteers: every time you smiled and greeted someone, every time you went out of your way to be helpful, every time you worked hard behind the scenes for little or no recognition, you made Midwest FurFest the success that it is today.
Yay! We rock! :c)
Yes, yes, and yes. Though I don’t have any other cons to compare the experience to, I can definitely say that both the MFF staff and the hotel staff were extremely courteous and helpful. (And it must be a strain for the hotel staff to put up with some of what goes on, yet they keep smiling.) The location is great for runs to nearby restaurants, etc.
Most of all, the programming is excellent. It’s painful to have to choose between simultaneous sessions, each of which will run only once. But better that than long periods of emptiness for those of us who aren’t interested in gaming. I’ve looked at the program schedules for some other cons and I’d say MFF is right up there or even ahead of the really big guys.
“Different” is probably good, since attendance keeps growing and things are running smoothly. You don’t have to be AC or FC, because those organizations already exist and are doing their thing. MFF has its own identity, and I’d say it’s a very fine one.
A staff is only as good as its leaders. Thank you for making MFF such a positive place in the fandom. I truly enjoyed it. So much so that I don’t want that refund you owe me for the 23 minutes of fun I missed during the fire drill.
Since we did so well, does that mean all the staff members get to take 2006 off??? 🙂
Well, MFF is my favourite con! I think another factor to it having a different
feel is that its during the colder part of the year. which is GREAT FOR FURSUITERS!!!!!
^_^
MFM and AC are during the Summer which makes suiting difficult for me especially. FC, well, its on the west coast which doesn’t get as cold as the Midwest.
The only complaint I have is that MFF is starting to get big… this year I started
to have similar problems that I had at AC.
I find it interesting that almost as many people come from California as Ohio, considering the change in distance.