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[Schorse]

Dealer's den - The layout was a bit odd, and it was hard to find my favorite artists - no map, no big signs with table number and artist on them.

Art show - Also needed to have signs with artist name on them and a map. Also, they closed the bid sticker registration over an hour before closing (for no good reason that I could see), which caused the artists and the convention's charity to receive less money because I could not bid on anything. So I hope the person who made that choice so he could do less work at the end of the day, is very proud of himself.

Panel room finding - Signs could have been better. For panel rooms on wing 3 floor 2 or 3, refer to them by the actual room number (e.g. 30241), don't call them Panel Room 4, etc.

When you did register, they handed you that paper thing, called Con book.
It contains a map and list of the artists in the dealers den and the panels and artists at the art show.
And the hotel map shows the panel rooms with their name AND room number (except the first 3 which only have names).

The issue with the stairs and overbooking of the rooms were discussed so many times now.
It's like it is because of fire regulations!
Everyone is shocked when there's a new fire catastrophe in the news. Usually in a third or second world country. It usually happend because fire regulations didn't exist or have been ignored. And everyone says: "Luckily this won't happen here in my country." Why won't it happen here?
Because here, they ENFORCE these regulations!
And now everyone is complaining about it.

[Blacktail]

Art show - Also needed to have signs with artist name on them and a map. Also, they closed the bid sticker registration over an hour before closing (for no good reason that I could see), which caused the artists and the convention's charity to receive less money because I could not bid on anything. So I hope the person who made that choice so he could do less work at the end of the day, is very proud of himself.

Well the reasons for closing one hour before are simple Security reasons most people who register in that time are only bystanders and they can and make the room before the panels which are being closed crowded and people who wants to bid can´t get to the panels to bid (that´s our experience from earlier EFs)
also with the less work yes we only worked until 1am not like the previous EFs until 3am

[Suran]

I'd rather opt for artist name signs in the Dealers Den.
Not knowing the face I couldn't find a specific artist even after looking at all the badges and stuff as far as visible.

[Carbine]

A lot has been said already so I will just add new things:

Would it be possible to have a list available of the news/press teams that are authorized to film and interview at the convention? It would be good to know what channels to check for items about the convention and it would make it easier to identify any "pirates" roaming around. I saw a video online that was filmed by Ruptly (Russia Today) on the web with a quite unflattering title. Considering the sentiments of RT I find it hard to imagine they had permission to film on the con floor. I do have to say that the media was generally very positive.

Another idea that popped up on my way home:
Maybe create an area or room were artists can display selected art to show the broader spectrum of the fandom to the press? I think it would be good to give the press a wider idea of what the fandom is about. Most of the news items generally focus on the suiters because the camera crews are banned from the dealers den and art show (for good reasons). Ofcourse the fursuiters are the most eyecatching and will get the general media attention but I think it is good to promote the art side of the fandom and also the artists themselves.

This was my first EF and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The Pawpet Show was impressive and the atmosphere in the hotel was great. Being this is such a large convention it was especially surprising that everybody was so open and accessable. I understand that some things didn't go as planned but that's always the case when moving to a new venue and considering the exploded attendee number you did great. I'm sure a lot of these issues will be ironed out next year. My hats off to the staff for taking the time to organize it all, I hope to be there again next year.

[o'wolf]

Would it be possible to have a list available of the news/press teams that are authorized to film and interview at the convention

Authorized media wears a Eurofurence press badge and usually has someone of the press team or security in tow escorting them.

RT Ruptly appeared on site two hours after I told them on the phone that they cannot film at EF. They went straight into the lobby and started recording, until stopped by security. I told them to leave the premises, but that they can film on the street under the condition that they are telling those they film who they are and asking them whether it is okay. As far as the photo shoot in the beer garden is concerned, they reportedly did NOT ask anyone there. Afterwards, they tried to sneak into the lobby again, but left when they were discovered by security. They pulled the same stunt at Anthrocon this year, by the way. With an even worse headline. So, next time you watch RT you know how they are working and what to think of it.

Regarding general press handling, thank you for your input. I already have some ideas what needs to improve and how and will see if I can include some of your suggestions. I'll get back to that in a few months, I don't have the energy right now.

[Carbine]

RT Ruptly appeared on site two hours after I told them on the phone that they cannot film at EF. They went straight into the lobby and started recording, until stopped by security. I told them to leave the premises, but that they can film on the street under the condition that they are telling those they film who they are and asking them whether it is okay. As far as the photo shoot in the beer garden is concerned, they reportedly did NOT ask anyone there. Afterwards, they tried to sneak into the lobby again, but left when they were discovered by security. They pulled the same stunt at Anthrocon this year, by the way. With an even worse headline. So, next time you watch RT you know how they are working and what to think of it.

Thanks for the answer! I already thought these bastards had worked their way in illegally. I know that Ruptly has their headquarters in Berlin so this must have been like cake around the corner for them. Will keep an eye out for them next time.

Regarding general press handling, thank you for your input. I already have some ideas what needs to improve and how and will see if I can include some of your suggestions. I'll get back to that in a few months, I don't have the energy right now.

Good luck recharging your battery. I can imagine that as a staff member you must be exhausted. Thank you for taking the suggestion into consideration and for all the hard work you do for the convention!

[Fineas]

Would it be possible to have a list available of the news/press teams that are authorized to film and interview at the convention

Authorized media wears a Eurofurence press badge and usually has someone of the press team or security in tow escorting them.

RT Ruptly appeared on site two hours after I told them on the phone that they cannot film at EF. They went straight into the lobby and started recording, until stopped by security. I told them to leave the premises, but that they can film on the street under the condition that they are telling those they film who they are and asking them whether it is okay. As far as the photo shoot in the beer garden is concerned, they reportedly did NOT ask anyone there. Afterwards, they tried to sneak into the lobby again, but left when they were discovered by security. They pulled the same stunt at Anthrocon this year, by the way. With an even worse headline. So, next time you watch RT you know how they are working and what to think of it

I guess telling of reporters is always going to be a problem as they have an immunity to do their job.
Press have that special status, so telling them off kind of opens the door for them saying things like 'haaa, I knew they where up to something, lets rat them out'.

Would it help to have like... a counter press team? Just people with cameras and a microphone that go and ask pointed questions to them:
- Hi their, it seams you have been thrown out and here we find you sneaking in again. Have you a problem abiding simple requests?
- And here we have the Squable Papers that always look for the most drama. So whose lives are you attempting to defile today?
- So here they are, so many people having fun, and then these guys showed up. Hi their party crashers, what are you guys up to?

And just post the results on Youtube.
It's a risk, but when played right, maybe we can give them a negative name instead, making them think twice about trying to blacken our fandom.

[Schorse]

Maybe a fursuiter should grease up his nose and give the camera an intense noose beep.

[RyanWuff]

Well, EF 20 was AMAZING. The hotel, the lot of possibilities to eat, the travel was not really complicated too to reach the hotel, and afterall to meet again with  old faces.
This year's EF gived (for me, but I think for  alot of other furs too) such memories, what makes me still cry from the laugh. And getting new friends, having fun... Its amazing.
The EF staff was really great, and as the hotel staff too. The pawpet show... together with the music, it was beautiful. The EF Prime: well, I was watching allways when I was in my room, but those tv-s and the remote controll -_- but the twitter message line was great
I loved the art-show and the dealers den too. Next year in fursuit I think I will collect even more memories
In my case, I dont really can say anything -negative- about the con. I really enjoyed it, Thank you guys

And only one thing, what I got in my head as idea: on the badge, instead of the name of the country (or next to it) where the fur came from, maybe it would be better a little flag? Like on the security guys. Maybe it would be easier to find out where the other guy came from, instead of the little letters. :3

Maybe a fursuiter should grease up his nose and give the camera an intense noose beep.

If the cleaning process for the suit would be easier... but maybe a massive nose beep attack with 30+ suiters... x3

[Schorse]

Fursuit stampede!!

[RyanWuff]

Fursuit stampede!!

Next year. We do it. Totally. XD

[Suicune]

The EF staff was really great, and as the hotel staff too. The pawpet show... together with the music, it was beautiful. The EF Prime: well, I was watching allways when I was in my room, but those tv-s and the remote controll -_- but the twitter message line was great

Oh, yours too? We were fighting with that thing. It didn't react or changed 3 channels at once. Argh!
And even turning that thing on and off... Ohwell, next time I will try to get a better working replacement.

[RyanWuff]

Oh, yours too? We were fighting with that thing. It didn't react or changed 3 channels at once. Argh!
And even turning that thing on and off... Ohwell, next time I will try to get a better working replacement.

Changing the channel on those things was a nightmare, thats true XD But the volume adjusting too, even it was too quiet, you press the button for a short second and from lvl 12 goes to lvl 20, and then naturally loud as the complete wing can hear it x3

[Wawik]

Oh, yours too? We were fighting with that thing. It didn't react or changed 3 channels at once. Argh!
And even turning that thing on and off... Ohwell, next time I will try to get a better working replacement.

The TV actually worked fine once I unplugged and plugged the power cord back in, after which the unit reset itself when I tried to use it the next time. I guess their in-house entertainment system was just a bit overloaded, which made the TVs act up when they tried to get a network connection.

[Kamuniak]

Nearly week after EF, what is in my mind now... Few suggestions also for the next year.

Hotel was actually better and cozier than I expected from hotels of that size. I liked that there was restaurants too. Even though maybe too expensive to be used every day, it was nice to have possibility to have real food quickly, without leaving the con site. And those ice creams! *noms* Breakfast was excellent! I ate so much every morning. I was a bit surprised though that there wasn't any safes in hotel rooms. And checking out was probably slowest check-out I've ever experienced in any hotel. And you saw that from the queues too.

Elevators in wing 2 were sometime nightmarish. At least it was possible to use stairs when going down, so you weren't stuck in your room. But few times when trying to get back to my room, I simply gave up getting elevator and tried my luck later. 10-15 minutes waiting wasn't rare, especially after some big event just finished. Suggestion, that may not be possible to arrange though: Since problem was apparently limited to wing 2, next year put everyone who have fursuits to wings 1, 3 and 4. Possibly reducing the stress from wing 2 elevators a bit, and on the other hand, giving faster elevators to those who most need them.

Queues to main stage event got quite long sometimes. Queues now continued outside and during late evenings it was getting quite chilly out there. Could the queues instead take turn to direction of rotunda? There was plenty of empty room and everyone in queue could be at least inside.

Maps in conbook were good as always. Same maps could have been copied to other places too. Small map of panel room locations in pocket schedule? Big print of dealers' locations in dealer's den entrance. Art show panel map on other side of bidding helper sheet would have been very useful too.

Generally EF was great event once again, just too short This felt busiest con where I've ever been. Far, far too many things to do and see during just 3 days. I wouldn't mind at all having one more day, without adding any new program. Giving one extra day for art show, putting PPS and BBD to separated days, less overlapping events and no need to start panels at 10. I know it may not be possible, but one can dream

Oh, and loved the music and "traditional lightning" in Furs back to 80s Also International snack exchange just feels to get better every year.

Last but definitely not least, my thanks to charity team, people from Stiftung FLEDERMAUS and Balduin for the bat feeding events! It was great to see real bat so close, touch it and get bat group photo with my plushie bats