I was at MewCon a cross genre during the New Years day Weekend. I had a great time; like many conventions, I spent the time meeting new people and going to panels and just sucking in the energy at fan conventions. What made it sweet was there were a few furry panels.

Still I was disappointed while Portland has 100 or more furs but only I and three local furs showed up at MewCon . I guess there are many reason. Perhaps the reason is bad treatment of the furry fandom by others. Other reason is furries, in my opinion’ live in a bubble in that even if a cross genre convention with a furry panel, if it not furry, they are not going. Finally, there simply no interested in what other conventions have to offer.

Still I want to encourage you all to put aside past bad experiences and look into attending you local Science fiction, Anime, or Cross Genre (mixture SF, Anime and what not) cons as a fur for three reasons.

Local conventions are a great way to have the fan convention experience on the cheap especially when one cannot afford go or the nearest fur con is far away. Going to fur con is quite expensive when I have to add the cost of travel, hotel, and food. Because of my unemployed situation until recently, there was no way I could attend Rainfurrest, yet I was doing odd computer jobs and was able to set aside money to attend Kumoricon the local Anime con, Orycon (SF) and Mewcon. I was able to keep expenses very low by staying at home and brown bagging lunch. All I need was $30.00 for fuel, dinner money for Friday and Saturday and registration fee. The best I still can be furry and do arts.

Second reason is to expand one’s fan horizons. I had a passive interest in Anime or science fiction fan. Both local Anime and Science fiction convention helped me have a greater appreciation of the respective genre weather finding new anime to watch of at a panel of a famous Author I like to read.

Finally to be a ambassador to the furry fandom. I like being a fur at any convention and contributing where I can to clear up misconceptions or just having fun like this go happy go lucky dog.. Another way was running a panel; I noted similar issues as a Greamuzzle, being an older fan in a young person fandom. The result was I ran an Otaku over 30 panel where was ably to draw from my furry experience and translate it into the Anime fandom. I expected 12 but I had 35 attendees to the panel is well received. This yea as wll as doing the Otaku over 3o panel I am looking into do an furry panel at Kumoricon and even Mewcon.
So there no excuse in moping there no convention to go, shake a tail and support your local Anime or SF convention and be furry .
Ps. I hope to see more furs at Kumoricon, Orycon and Mewcon this year