Midwest FurFest August 2008 Newsletter

“On you huskies! North to Alaska!”

In This Issue:
* You Want Programming? We’ve Got Programming!
* An Update from the Hotel Liaison (Shuttles to the Overflow Hotel!)
* Can We Talk? Yes You Can, On The Midwest FurFest Forums
* Get Your Membership to Midwest FurFest Now!
* The Dealers Room Is Looking Good
* Great News from the Art Show
* Our Publications Editor Needs Your Help
* Midwest FurFest Loves Its Volunteers


You Want Programming? We’ve Got Programming!

The sled dogs are starting to drag in some excellent programming to the camp for Midwest FurFest 2008. Among many of your favorites such as the Fursuit Games, Pawpet Idol, Whose Lion is it Anyway?, Uncle Kage’s Story Hour and 2 the Ranting Gryphon shows, we’ve got some icy-hot new changes to our traditional lineup. First and foremost, the Furry Variety Show is no longer burning the midnight oil! The FVS will now be on Saturday in the early evening. As a result, we will now be able to provide you with dances on both Friday and Saturday nights, with a Dead Dog Party following as rear dog on Sunday. We’ve also got a brand, spanking new charity poker tournament in the works, along with lots of table and video gaming.

It is still not too late to submit programming ideas for this year’s Alaskan tour. Please send any submissions, questions or concerns to programming-dir.2008@furfest.org

[Whew! All that themed talk is fun but exhausting…]

An Update from the Hotel Liaison

Hello everyone! A few of items of note:

1) The Westin Chicago North Shore is still sold out of rooms. Rooms may come available closer to the convention if folks cancel; the Westin has been kind enough to start a waiting list. Email Rodney at rodney.piszczek@westin.com to be added to the list.

2) Our overflow hotel (Holiday Inn Express Deerfield) has sold out of double rooms! Only king rooms are left (though every king room has a sofa bed) and they are going very quickly. Be sure to reserve soon! You can get more information at: http://www.furfest.org/2008/mff2008-hie.html

Did you know that the Holiday Inn Express is only a few minutes away from the Westin and will have a shuttle running to and from the Westin? The shuttle will run at least every half hour until 2 AM each day of the convention so you don’t need to worry about driving while at the convention!

As always, if you have any questions, please send an email to hotel.2008@furfest.org

Can We Talk? Yes You Can, On The Midwest FurFest Forums

While the Midwest FurFest LiveJournal community is a fun place, it is still unofficial, which means that it may not always be the best way to reach our staff. We have a growing official community at the Midwest FurFest website though, where staff and members of the Midwest FurFest family can chat and make friends. Stop by our website at http://www.furfest.org and click on “Forum” at the top of the page.

Get Your Membership to Midwest FurFest Now!

Now would be an excellent time to register for Midwest FurFest! You can register online at our website using any major credit card, or with PayPal. Pre-registration only costs $30 until September 30, 2008, then it goes up to $40 thereafter and at the door. Plan ahead and save some money!

If you’re interested in doing a little something extra to support Midwest FurFest and getting more out of the convention while you’re at it, you might want to consider registering at the Sponsor level. We show our sponsors love in many ways, including a free convention t-shirt, a delicious sponsors’ brunch on Saturday with the Guests of Honor, a collectible cloisonné pin and special sponsor-only prints with art from our guests of honor, as well as a unique surprise gift! There’s also an express registration line for sponsors during Thursday night registration, and priority seating at select special events. All of this for only $120? Such a deal! And remember, if you always send any questions about Midwest FurFest registration to registration.2008@furfest.org.

The Dealers Room Is Looking Good

Our new, larger Dealers Den is filling up rapidly. A list of dealers will be posted to the website shortly. As always, we have a mix of returning regulars and first-time MFF dealers, all eager to exchange quality merchandise for your hard-earned cash (or checks and credit cards). Questions about the Dealers Room? Send them to dealers.2008@furfest.org.

Great News from the Art Show

Application forms are now available for space in the Midwest FurFest Art Show! Just go to our website and click on Art Show to download and print the forms.

After our record year in 2007, we’ve expanded the number of display panels available to our artists, so we still have plenty of space available. Best of all, panel space this year is free!

We’re also still looking for volunteers to help out, especially during setup (Thursday evening and Friday morning) and teardown Sunday afternoon. If you have any questions, or want to volunteer, please email us at artshow.2008@furfest.org.

Our Publications Editor Needs Your Help

Here’s your chance at fame! The 2008 Midwest FurFest Convention Book staff is looking for arts!

If you have artwork you think would look really, really nice within the glossy pages of our con book, send it in! We’d love to see it as long as it matches our theme, “North to Alaska,” rated G or PG, and is a high-quality TIFF format at 600dpi or higher (preferably black and white).

Of course, we have the final say over whether it gets in the book, but we like art, so send it in! If all you have is the original artwork, email us and we’ll consider it.

While we’re at it, we’d also love to see story contributions! Keep them to the theme and to a reasonably short length, and we’ll consider them too!

Send submissions to publications.2008@furfest.org. Deadline is September 30, so pick up those pens!

Midwest FurFest Loves Its Volunteers

We couldn’t make Midwest FurFest happen without all of the hard work from our volunteers, known affectionately as Gophers! And we’re always glad to show our gratitude with T-shirts, free memberships for Midwest FurFest 2009, and a free dinner on Sunday night! Sounds interesting? Send an e-mail to our Gopher Coordinator at gophers.2008@furfest.org.

About Us

Midwest FurFest is the third-largest furry convention in the world! Now in our ninth year, we are pleased to be moving to our new home at the Westin Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, Illinois. Midwest FurFest takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. This year the convention will take place November 21-23, 2008. For more information see our website at http://www.furfest.org. Got a question not covered above? Let us know at info.2008@furfest.org!

Midwest FurFest is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. All contents of this newsletter are copyright Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., 2008.

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