Wow, what to say about this con.

I was really, really worried about it for a number of reasons. First we had a bunch of issues with room arrangements beforehand, then I was worried that since it was a first year con no one would come and I wouldn't be able to break even, and finally I thought the mountains of snow would scare people out of showing up.

Fortunately I was wrong on all accounts! Attendance was above expectations and actually right around the same as FAU (a con now in its 7th year) did last year. I made more money in this dealer's den than I have at any other convention, and apparently more than a lot of other people in the den. I really liked how they organized the cashier, with little barcode stickers on each receipt, so they'd just have to scan one barcode to see how much we made instead of bringing up the whole wad of receipts. Also artists could check out every day instead of all at once on Sunday night so that was really nice.

The whole con was really, really well-organized, and staff was helpful and SO friendly. Like I found myself wanting to just hang out with them, they were so nice lol. Really my only complaints were that the zoo was a little too small and hard to find. I don't think a lot of people realized where it was until later Saturday night, and it definitely wasn't big enough to fit everyone in (especially when the hotel staff tried to get us to clear out of lobby).

Speaking of, I'm not sure I like this hotel. The staff was pretty nice and attentive one-on-one, and a few employees even took a walk around the dealer's den so that was cool. But they kind of screwed people over by making the parking garage for hotel guests only when a lot of the attendees were local or one-dayers. They also kinda screwed the con staff over by apparently revoking their internet access every morning even though they'd paid for the weekend, and making them pay for each day over again? That's what I heard anyway. And then yeah, it seemed like they expected everyone at the con to just go to their rooms or the tiny event rooms once the den closed. I don't think they really understood how furry conventions work. So hopefully they wither wisen up next year or the staff chooses another hotel. But obviously none of that was the con staff's fault and they handled all of it quickly and professionally and I applaud them for that.

Finally we raised $10,000 for the charity Vest-a-Dog, which is more than a lot of other conventions, especially first years.

So yes, this convention was absolutely fantastic and I cannot sing its praises enough. If you weren't able to make it this year I urge you to give it a try next year. You won't regret it.