The Eurofurence Forum
Eurofurence Information => Feedback => Topic started by: krakendwaggin on 26.08.2013, 21:34:40
-
Guys, what can I say?
The city turning out for us like they did was simply astounding, I'm never going to forget this Eurofurence for many years.
In summary it was an amazing convention and I have little to no negatives to bring up, reason being is that anything I could mention I know was beyond anyone's control because it was just so intense and so crazy this year, in example the water station on the fursuit parade, as soon as it got pointed out, it got swamped, I kinda went 'sod it' and kept going but as I said, I know this was beyond peoples control.
But I can say in positive, the dealers den's were great, the snack bar was a wonderful addition, the fursuit lounge was as always a pleasure to be able to use, so to you all, thank you so much, I look forward to next year!
-
Yeah, it was awesome, there are like no reasons to complain :D
The Pawpet show was great and the soundtrack awesome. I loved the underwater scene background *_*
The dance contest had a lot of talented people, hard to decide who was the best. My bad slow camera made a photo when someone was jumping. Funny conicidence xD
And the Fureoke night was damn AWESOME! There is nothing better than the old 70s-90s music and a lot of people singing it! Too bad I missed the beginning because the Fursuit Games were at the same time. I wanted to go back to my hotel when the games were over and just have a short peek what was going up at the fureoke. Yeah.. I stayed till the end xD
Pleas next year at the same time again!
Wow, so many people were at the Parade O_O
Sometimes there was not enough space for th suiter, but it was still funny. But please don't make it longer than 2km. My feet were killing me x_X
The Fursuit Friendly dance was nice. I just missed a mix of some known songs like in the first hour last year. But I'm glad that some songs were remixed or a few played completly without being remixed. Maybe a bit shorter remixes and more differnt songs and it's perfect. At least I stayed..
The Big Blue dance was ok. I didn't stay long, because at 2am there was hey-look-i-have-bass like music. Don't like if it just goes wobwobwob.
It was nice to see some people who love plush like I do at the plush panel :)
Too bad we didn't have more time to talk. >.<
And remember that big fan in the Fursuit Lounge? Make a room full of them and call it storm-room. It would be heaven xD
And now something regarding my conticket.
Wtf happened to my nickname? Why is "Suicune" missing? Was Starfighter Suicune too long? And who shortened it without giving me an info about it? I didn't see a message about length limitation..
Well, I could have complained about it, but I don't have the nerve to fight with problems when I just want to have fun. And since saturday I think it's kinda funny having a bugged ticket
(http://pichoster.adbt2.ath.cx/viewpic/y/DSCN1160JPGZnpNmoa.jpg) (http://pichoster.adbt2.ath.cx/viewpic/DSCN1160JPGZnpNmoa.jpg)
-
A big thank you to everyone who helped organizing EF. It was great.
I was promised there'd be an endless queue at the registration - at tuesday evening, I only had to wait a few minutes. That was a nice surprise.
I hope the roomkey-function of the badges will work better next year, having to carry an extra card that couldn't be attached to the badge was slightly annoying. Especially when fursuiting and not having pockets for extra cards.
I especially liked the parade at the Zoo. That was a great idea, I hope we can do that at Berlin too.
The conbooks are very nice, and the pocket planner was good. The only thing I'd criticise here was the flashmob/mall party thing on wednesday, which wasn't described enough. I asked at the ConOps office, but they didn't know either, so I missed that event.
With all other problems and questions, the ConOps office was very helpful. I once lost my badges, and they were found within few minutes. (Thanks to whoebver found them and handed them in.)
Another nice detail: Conshirts ins size XS. Many cons only offer the standard sizes S-XXL, so thanks for thinking of small people too ^^.
The fursuit parade was lots of fun. I got stuck in the crowd when leaving the hotel, but I think that cannot be avoided unless you'd put up fences, which would look stupid and block us from having photos with people.
I probably forgot half of the things now, so I'll just say: Thanks again to everyone, I had a great time!
-
And now something regarding my conticket.
Wtf happened to my nickname? Why is "Suicune" missing? Was Starfighter Suicune too long? And who shortened it without giving me an info about it? I didn't see a message about length limitation..
Just tell next time and we do a reprint. QC is a pain in the ass for 1400 Badges.
-
What can I say, it was absolutely fantastic! The fursuit parade was exceptional and i'm glad I brought my camelbak with me, makes public suiting way more easier.
The walk and the people of Magdeburg will be in my memory for years to come and I'll miss the Maritim. I got the walk from both my worn Go Pro and a friend with my camera & tripod.
See you all next year ^^
-
From the top of my head:
1) Security at the elevators to help fursuiters. I only saw it once or twice but wow, thank you for taking time to do that. I was a bit annoyed to realise even with Security telling people "fursuiters first" people would still stare and attempt to enter the elevator though (hugs to the seccie who kept his cool despite this and went like "uh, no")...I totally appreciate Security doing this but guys: fursuits. go. first. You can wait or take the stairs if you're on the first, second or third floor. It is -really- rude to shove a fursuiter aside and it's earned some of you an elbow in the ribs from me. I hope this issue will be less in the new hotel, but I again want to emphasise I really appreciate security trying to help with this. It comes down to common sense and good behaviour though...
2) Another yay for Security: thank you for calming me down when I finally lost it at yet another creep bothering me in the fursuit lounge of all places. Great handling there -- I apologise to the seccie guy that got to hear the worst of my annoyance, good on you for staying professional with this raging woman haha. Special thanks go out to the kind Security lady who took time to talk to me afterwards, it was nice and reassuring to talk to someone who really knows what it's like to hear excuse upon excuse, as I was just so fed up about the behaviour of some of the attendees this year. Maybe she should be called whenever a lady is furious ;-)
Heck Security in general: thank you. I know it's a big convention with tons of people and I'm pleased with how complaints were handled. Swiftly and fairly. You guys put a lot of work into this and it showed.
3) The huge fan at the fursuit lounge. I know the rental company had issues delivering, but it was solved nicely with that big fan.
4) The Dead Dog party. Ace, please be the DJ at the fursuit friendly dance next year?
5) This point I ask you to please correct me on if I'm wrong: the fursuit friendly dance seemed too fast-paced and there were zero familiar songs in the first hour. I know it's hard to please everyone, but for a fursuit friendly dance I'd expect music that is dancable...look at the difference between amount of suiters dancing at Ace's set vs the fursuit friendly dance. IMHO, it's best to start out with slower paced music and then go to the fast beat-y stuff.
However, I heard it might be because it's not allowed to use copyrighted music due to German law? In that case, ignore this one point, because then I totally understand the music choice.
6) The fursuit photoshoot before the dance....maybe next year we can have some people directing the fursuiters? People were standing for quite a long time before finally getting instructions....only to stand in a completely different way. There were two fans which we tried to get turned on while in suit because people were overheating, but there was no way to plug them in. Last year it went a lot more smooth so I'm not sure what happened. Best would be to have people heard the shee-- I mean fursuiters and give a clear signal when the photographer is ready so people do not stand around overheating. Plus, turn on the two fans if possible or open the doors since no music is played during the photoshoot anyway.
7) The fursuit lounge extension during Dead Dog: thank. you. so. much. I know it was a lot of extra work/time for the team, so THANK YOU :)
-
5) This point I ask you to please correct me on if I'm wrong: the fursuit friendly dance seemed too fast-paced and there were zero familiar songs in the first hour. I know it's hard to please everyone, but for a fursuit friendly dance I'd expect music that is dancable...look at the difference between amount of suiters dancing at Ace's set vs the fursuit friendly dance. IMHO, it's best to start out with slower paced music and then go to the fast beat-y stuff.
However, I heard it might be because it's not allowed to use copyrighted music due to German law? In that case, ignore this one point, because then I totally understand the music choice.
Music choice is difficult to discuss. It'll never please all attendees.
I actually liked the music at the first two hours of the fursuit friendly dance. For me, it had a good pace.
Another point I forgot to mention about the Fursuit Friendly Dance: Sometimes the fog was a bit too much. I was in the middle of the dancefloor and wanted to go outside, and needed someone to point out in which direction the door was. Not sure if I was the only one with that problem.
-
I would like to remind all the Peter Jackson adepts that the dance floor main purpose is for *dancing*, it's not a movie studio, you are the extra load there, not the dancers, so watch your steps
-
5) This point I ask you to please correct me on if I'm wrong: the fursuit friendly dance seemed too fast-paced and there were zero familiar songs in the first hour. I know it's hard to please everyone, but for a fursuit friendly dance I'd expect music that is dancable...look at the difference between amount of suiters dancing at Ace's set vs the fursuit friendly dance. IMHO, it's best to start out with slower paced music and then go to the fast beat-y stuff.
However, I heard it might be because it's not allowed to use copyrighted music due to German law? In that case, ignore this one point, because then I totally understand the music choice.
Music choice is difficult to discuss. It'll never please all attendees.
I actually liked the music at the first two hours of the fursuit friendly dance. For me, it had a good pace.
It's not so much about pleasing as it is about variety IMHO, like I said, look at the difference between fursuiters dancing at Ace's set vs fursuit friendly dance. Fursuit friendly to me suggests it should be dancable and not just high-paced all the time. Emphasis on 'all the time'.
edited to add: I'm also not looking to turn this into a music discussion btw, just wanted to point it out -- that's all.
-
6) The fursuit photoshoot before the dance....maybe next year we can have some people directing the fursuiters? People were standing for quite a long time before finally getting instructions....only to stand in a completely different way. There were two fans which we tried to get turned on while in suit because people were overheating, but there was no way to plug them in. Last year it went a lot more smooth so I'm not sure what happened. Best would be to have people heard the shee-- I mean fursuiters and give a clear signal when the photographer is ready so people do not stand around overheating. Plus, turn on the two fans if possible or open the doors since no music is played during the photoshoot anyway.
Since I was there: that "long time standing" issue happened because the arial platform that Thalian wanted to use for the shoot just decided to bite the dust and refused to work, so 5 people (including the photographer) were busy and 100% focussed on getting it back to work ASAP rather than delaying it further with stopping to give lengthy explanations. :)
-
Thank you, we weren't able to see that in suit ;D I figured something was wrong since it went so smooth last year (at least, it went smooth in my opinion, I saw some other opinions there.) Maybe shout at everyone next time so we know and can go back to the lounge if need be.
-
4) The Dead Dog party. Ace, please be the DJ at the fursuit friendly dance next year?
The fact is at the moment both dance's offer almost the same kind of music, the same atmoshphere ect... just the BBF one goes harder with time :)
Ace music selection at the dead dog party was just really wide in genres, it could be good for a fursuit dance, but then it's a new concept !
-
The fursuit friendly dance set was really nice this year and I appreciate that was not again all the cheesy music we all know and we have every year.
The GoH were awesome and the panels maybe the best ones I have ever attended in any con (furry or not). The event at the Zoo was great too. Great week !
Thanks also for the security guys, when a cyclist punched my paw very violently you were in sight and I felt instantly more secure. My hand was not broken but it hurted a lot.
The only sad thing is no one (attendee or security) talked to me right after this, I was feeling very very bad, I was about to collapse from the distress so I had to leave the place quickly, trying to stay in character.
-
4) The Dead Dog party. Ace, please be the DJ at the fursuit friendly dance next year?
DDP Fursuit Dance was The Hit (tm), i danced so much very my ass (and feed;) off until shut down, i am ashame sad to miss some hours at the beginning.
Please please again next year ::)
Fursuit Friendly Dance at Thursday sounded also very good.
Sadly i missed it because of an long event while his beginning and toooo tired later because of the long PPS rehearsal nght before.
But i checked the musik on EF Prime time by time, and got amazed by the speed and sort of music (and is was not the often plamed 80th stuff!).
I hardly cant prevend to get my sore body/brain to get in suit ;)
Who did DJ the Fursuit Friendly Dance ?
Get him todo it again at EF20 8)
-
About the Fursuit Friendly Dance: Generally we think that Caida did a great job at the Fursuit Dance, it was already much better attended than it was last year - the music selection was fresh, very "big room" selection with lots of driving, melodic crowd pleasers. However of course we all saw how the place exploded during the dead dog - so we're already discussing ideas. Maybe we will have more than just one DJ next year, for the added variety and try out how that works. We will keep you guys posted about that.
-
Thank you, we weren't able to see that in suit ;D I figured something was wrong since it went so smooth last year (at least, it went smooth in my opinion, I saw some other opinions there.) Maybe shout at everyone next time so we know and can go back to the lounge if need be.
Not trying to beat a dead horse, but we all know what it means to tell a room with more than 500 fursuiters that they can take a break due to technical issues, and tell them to come back 5 minutes later. :)
Seriously, sometimes it's better to just shut up and fix the problem. There are times when you will not find the perfect solution for your problem. :)
-
I would like to remind all the Peter Jackson adepts that the dance floor main purpose is for *dancing*, it's not a movie studio, you are the extra load there, not the dancers, so watch your steps
Amen. I think there's a couple too many cameras around actually, but what can you do. Blanket photography bans would hurt the virality of the phenomenon that is Eurofurence, and seems anachronistic to boot.
-
I would like to remind all the Peter Jackson adepts that the dance floor main purpose is for *dancing*, it's not a movie studio, you are the extra load there, not the dancers, so watch your steps
Amen. I think there's a couple too many cameras around actually, but what can you do. Blanket photography bans would hurt the virality of the phenomenon that is Eurofurence, and seems anachronistic to boot.
As a matter of fact, we've discussed this matter before. We can't do anything about it but remind people to be careful and use common courtesy. Banning cameras from any event whatsoever requires a pretty damn good reason, or the spirit of the con would be killed immediately.
-
Breaking the combo:
Earlier on I was discussing taking 'won' artwork from the Art Show back to your room with someone. Seeing as the lobby is a public space with random people and even kids walking around, I imagine it's not always appreciated when people are openly carrying some of the more... risque pieces from the back of the Art Show. Some art now has the packaging material available to go with the art itself, but not all. My suggestion: is it possible to hand out some of that cheap brown packaging paper they sometimes have in stores? I have no clue how big of an issue this is, or how expensive a roll or two of that stuff would be. It's just an idea, up to you to decide what (if anything) to do with it.
-
Oh my, I really don't know where to begin ...
It was my second furry con and therefore second Eurofurence and all I can say is, that it almost doubled in awesomeness from last year.
I greatly enjoyed myself and sincerly want to thank every fur, be it staff, director, volunteers or attendees/suiters itself involved in making this event happen again and again every year.
You - guys - are - all - so - damn - AWESOME <3
Like Sithy already wrote, major props to the entire security team for handling the situations in a professional manner like you did last year and also for the damn good work at the parade.
It was my first parade attending in fullsuit and damn, I didn't expect SO MANY PEOPLE - I was overjoyed seeing all those suiters, citizens of Magdeburg wanting to take pictures from and with us
and really made us feel loved and wanted there, so heartwarming. And all the people who wanted to high-five me or take a pic with me, all smiling and being happy, this makes me proud to be a
furry and fursuiter, because we're doing it right :3
Sadly though the parade got more or less ripped in "two halves" with me being stuck in the last half who had to wait quite a bit of time on the same spot,
really getting warmed up in the direct sunlight and nowhere to go - but that can't be blamed on anyone because the streets were literally filled with fluff and people.
On another note, next year I gotta poke the security guy with my otterclaws (in a playfull way) who rushed a cart into my backside/tail, making me nearly fall, I'mma get you, whoever you are xD
Another thing I want to really compliment you guys and Pinky on are the charity support you pull through every year.
Seeing the organization-woman of the Wildtierhilfe almost break down crying and shaking after hearing how much money we collected in just so very few days almost made me started to cry myself,
I feared she would drop the albino accidentally at some point ^^;
I'm really proud to be a furry and belonging to such an awesome community that cares and helps such organizations,
so major thanks to all the charity team and all the people who donated and organized events to gather more <3 <3
How much did we end up collecting anyway? I know that the 15.000€ wasn't the final number, since so many fursuiters and events after the PawPetShow still gathered more :3
I also wrote it in another thread here, but I also want to express my thanks to the fursuit lounge team and their helpers, always keeping things running,
filled up and even extending the opening hours of the lounge because of the (damn awesome) DeadDogParty! It was a blast of a party!
All in all another excellent and awesome Eurofurence - so again - thanks to all the people behind the scenes to make it happen!
Will definately try to come next year again and all the following years, Eurofurence has branded itself in my yearly vacation schedule as an event I don't want to miss,
able to meet old longtime friends from other places and countries, meeting new people and just having a good time while making the people around me happy as well, cannot it get any better? :3
Even though I'm not really fond of the new location in Berlin I'll try to be there next year, to join at yet another awesome experience!
-
As a matter of fact, we've discussed this matter before. We can't do anything about it but remind people to be careful and use common courtesy. Banning cameras from any event whatsoever requires a pretty damn good reason, or the spirit of the con would be killed immediately.
Yep, it's just our Zeitgeist, and We have to tolerate, if not embrace it. Also, some of the footage is really unique and a valuable tool in fighting PCD and, as I said, adding momentum to the furry "movement". Furry media has come such a long way in the past 10 years alone.
And I think politely telling the camera folks to step aside when they really get in the way isn't too hard.
-
I would not expect a ban or anything like that, many furries live by and for the photographies and movies they do.
I dont mind people with camera, as long as they dont bump or run into you because they are so focused on their fursuite prey they ignore the rest of the world.
theoretically that should be covered by the "General Behavior" content in the ConBook, but then im not sure people really read that page.
maybe remind people about it verbally at next year Opening Ceremony?
that should get to the most people in just one sentence I think.
As a matter of fact, we've discussed this matter before. We can't do anything about it but remind people to be careful and use common courtesy. Banning cameras from any event whatsoever requires a pretty damn good reason, or the spirit of the con would be killed immediately.
-
Breaking the combo:
Earlier on I was discussing taking 'won' artwork from the Art Show back to your room with someone. Seeing as the lobby is a public space with random people and even kids walking around, I imagine it's not always appreciated when people are openly carrying some of the more... risque pieces from the back of the Art Show. Some art now has the packaging material available to go with the art itself, but not all. My suggestion: is it possible to hand out some of that cheap brown packaging paper they sometimes have in stores? I have no clue how big of an issue this is, or how expensive a roll or two of that stuff would be. It's just an idea, up to you to decide what (if anything) to do with it.
Noted and thanks for the idea I think it would be a good addition to the show and we from the Artshow will discuss it further
-
I've safely arrived home yesterday, returning from the first Eurofurence I've attended, and the first con during which I've been wearing a fursuit. The short summary: It was a blast!
I had almost no waiting time at the registration, and all formalities were hassle-free and quick with no surprises, because everything was either explained on site, or already mentioned on the homepage / during the emails. Staff has been friendly and helpful at all times and I've had no issues with any of them.
My personal highlight: The fursuit programs and lounge.
The "Fursuit" program (and lounge) were incredible, and simply awesome! The walk at the Zoo, the flashmob at the mall and the suit walk were wonderfully organized. There was enough information to answer any "how" and "where" questions, there's always been water supplies and security/helpers to guide the path and minimize problems. The lounge itself... well; it's the first time I've seen one - and it's amazing what you guys offer as a service in there! Having cooling pipes and racks to put the suit parts on, drinks and some salty snacks, dozens and dozens of fans, antibacterial spray (I brought and used lot of my own because I didn't expect any of that) and even a repair kit available just blew me away. Literally. ;) Even though all that certainly maxed out on its capacity (so many suits!) it made the experience a blast for me, and allowed me to wear my suit much more often, because it was just incredibly easy and convenient to store it in the lounge and have it dry in no time. Not to mention the Fursuit Photoshooting - it was so much fun, and the team there was actually interested in making good photos, and not just work down the batch of those who signed up. I was glad for all the help and advice I got on where to stand, which poses to try to make it look good. Thank you for all of that to everyone involved!
The only part where I really wish it'd have been solved differently was the waiting time for the big events. I know how complex stage setup can be for those, and it seems nobody really expects the doors to open on time - regardless of whether it's for the opening ceremonies, the story hour, the fursuit game show or the pawpet show; but the lack of communication can be really frustrating, and waiting for almost 2 hours is no fun at all, which made me leave the queue and skip the event. If the anticipated delays are small and predictable (at the time when it's supposed to launch), please be more communicative. Giving the first announcement 45 minutes after the planned opening time is too late to help people accomodate, and if the preparation time is really unpredictable, maybe it'd be worth finding a different method for the seating, like putting up "pull a number" ticket rolls, and calling out some ranges (1-50, 51-99, whatever) just like during aircraft boarding. :) But once again, please accept this as constructive feedback. The convention was a blast, but when you're together with many awesome people and your time is limited to the duration of the con, spending it "doing nothing" (aka: waiting for... information... or the doors to open) is frustrating.
I really look forward to the next convention - and I'm sure it'll be just as wonderful. And maybe there'll be a spot somewhere where I can lend a paw and contribute my part, too.
~Luchs
-
First it was a wonderfull Con ;) I really would love more than one DJ idea for FFD. DJ's always tend to know what is good for you but just serve more or less a majority ignoring many minority wishes. I prefer the confuzzled way with many DJs each evening. Then I have the freedom of choice at which hour to dance. It would especially accommodate the broad majority of furs not dancing all night long.
Then there was the story with the lifts and I admit it still upsets me:
Would people stand in the sponsor's line when they are none? No - because it is against the rules and each attempt incidence would have serious consequences.
Would people stay in the lift when one of the front lifts was temporarily broken down and 4 suiters waitet minutes to get up? Hell yes! - because it is has no consequences at all!
I addressed a person going from ground level to conference level (I knew as he had pressed 'C') to go by foot to get a fourth worn out fursuiter in and he watched me obviously understanding me and obviously knowing I could do nothing more than asking. And why is that? Because he knew it would have no consequences if I had reported him and rather kicked me out off the con when I had kicked him out of the lift. And why is that? Because you give recommendations rather than rules.
How about a simple rule like that: Each full-fursuiter has the authority to ask any non-fursuiter (which has no good reason to stay) to leave the lift if there is no space for both. I saw a lot of people waiting a long time in front of the lift just to press '1' or '2'. Imagine you need level '6' as a worn-out fursuiter. And take into account it got about half a degree warmer which each level. I resolved the case squeezing the rest of the people together ignoring complains of none-suiters in the back until there was space left for the last fursuiter (and wouldn't really be surprised at all if someone now is so bold to critize me for that).
Another issue: A person gave me in front of the hotel in fursuit a beer shower by having an open bottle permanently in his paw squeezing it tight with a thumb and then scritching me in fursuit turning the bootle accidently upside down and as it was carbonated spraying my fursuit with it. Probably it was no intention and the fur luckily didn't end sticky. I dunno what can be done here just want to point out: Drunken people with open bottles mingeling with crowds - especially with fursuiters - are a problem.
-
Thank you all for your praises and the feedback!
The security team will work on a solution for the elevator-problem. :3
-
Something else I forgot to mention:
One evening there was a team of ladies in red dresses in the lobby handing out energy drinks for promotion. (Sadly, I cannot remember what day it was.)
Some of my friends and me found it quite annoying to be bothered with sales promotions during the con. I wouldn't mind about things related to con theme - like some animal charity, or plushies, or furry-themed movies and the like. But a team trying to sell stuff that has nothing to do with the con kind of ruined the atmosphere.
-
Something else I forgot to mention:
One evening there was a team of ladies in red dresses in the lobby handing out energy drinks for promotion. (Sadly, I cannot remember what day it was.)
Some of my friends and me found it quite annoying to be bothered with sales promotions during the con. I wouldn't mind about things related to con theme - like some animal charity, or plushies, or furry-themed movies and the like. But a team trying to sell stuff that has nothing to do with the con kind of ruined the atmosphere.
This! I found it absolutely tasteless (that they were there, I didn't taste the energy drink).
-
Also what was up with the kid and those random non-furry people running around in dealers den? I heard the kids looked to even be of age enough to know what they see. I was not there myself at that point, cause if i was i would have asked them kindly to leave the room.
But beside that, the con was awesome! I loved it, and it was so much fun! Cant wait for next year =D
I have a feeling next year will be even better, even tho it will be hard to beat all the fun it was this year ^^
Im really exited to fursuit in Berlin, and it will be soooo much easier to get to the convention location <3 see ya there.
-
2) Another yay for Security: thank you for calming me down when I finally lost it at yet another creep bothering me in the fursuit lounge of all places. Great handling there -- I apologise to the seccie guy that got to hear the worst of my annoyance, good on you for staying professional with this raging woman haha. Special thanks go out to the kind Security lady who took time to talk to me afterwards, it was nice and reassuring to talk to someone who really knows what it's like to hear excuse upon excuse, as I was just so fed up about the behaviour of some of the attendees this year. Maybe she should be called whenever a lady is furious ;-)
You're welcome, no need to apologise. And good to hear it helped you to release your anger ;-)
I hope we will see you next year.
Greetings
Junmap
-
Here's my feedback as well.
I'm really happy about how the con was this year, I liked it more than the last year's one.
The Critters at the Zoo event was a really nice one, just to start with. I was very happy to see how people in Magdeburg loved to see us walking around the zoo and taking pictures with real animals.
The flashmob was a nice Idea as well.
The parade was the best one I've attended, with lots and lots of people coming to look at us.
I liked the idea of the charity photos. There aren't many places where you can take a picture of yourself with a racoon!
Another big point was the fursuit gameshow and its preliminaries. Loved that game even if I couldn't last really long.
The whole show was very well organized, even If me and my temmate had a couple of problems during the first game (which, in my opinion, was pretty dangerous, my teammate got injured).
Anyway, the show was awesome, same for the Furaoke.
And the Pawpetshow was way, way better than the last year's one!
-
...The short summary: It was a blast!
...My personal highlight: The fursuit programs and lounge.
...The "Fursuit" program (and lounge) were incredible, and simply awesome! The walk at the Zoo, the flashmob at the mall and the suit walk were wonderfully organized. There was enough information to answer any "how" and "where" questions, there's always been water supplies and security/helpers to guide the path and minimize problems.
...[everything else you said]
...(waiting times)
You Sir,
are now my this years favorite attendee. First and foremost because you obviously did take the time to read the info posters of all the outdoor fursuit events. Here's to you. :-)
Secondly because you saw and regognized all those little details that we put in the lounge to make it more than "just a changing room".
And last but not least, for you actually posting this here. Your great expperience is what we are putting all the effort in for, and happy faces and the occasional thankyou is the only thing the staff teams get in return. :)
As for the waiting times: All your cooments are true. However, let me tell you from almost twenty years of EF experience: There is nothing we can do about it. There are technical issues, there are sudden accidents behind the stage, there are a thousand things that suddenly go wrong.
Basically, as weird as it may sound, when coming to Eurofurence again, you get used to it. Waiting in line for an event is a social event in its own. Use it the best you can. Get to know the people around you. :)
-
I like to thank the security team for handling the issue with my conbook fast and simple
You rock guys
and all in all I think this years Con was really good and smooth and I think our attendees noticed it too ^^
-
Great con as always! In general, everything went very smoothly, and I only have one or two things that could've been better.
The good:
I had completely forgotten that I hadn't added early arrival and late departure m(, so when I turned up on early arrival day, the hotel of course said that the room wasn't booked until tomorrow, and directed me to the EF registration desk. By this point I could already feel the cold sweat starting, fearing I'd have to book a room at the intercity for those nights. But luckily, just 3 minutes and 110€ later, I had the room for those extra days. Amazing! :D
The not so good:
The schedule was released very late. So late that I had to set the time for a meet-up, before knowing if it would conflict with any panels and events. When the schedule was released, I found that the music production panel that I'd wanted to go to was at exactly the same time.
Next year, please please please try and get the schedule out earlier. Get out the whip and thumbscrews if necessary! :P
-
Something else I forgot to mention:
One evening there was a team of ladies in red dresses in the lobby handing out energy drinks for promotion. (Sadly, I cannot remember what day it was.)
Some of my friends and me found it quite annoying to be bothered with sales promotions during the con. I wouldn't mind about things related to con theme - like some animal charity, or plushies, or furry-themed movies and the like. But a team trying to sell stuff that has nothing to do with the con kind of ruined the atmosphere.
This! I found it absolutely tasteless (that they were there, I didn't taste the energy drink).
I have to agree here, the promotion was completly tasteless idea of the hotel.
-
Something else I forgot to mention:
One evening there was a team of ladies in red dresses in the lobby handing out energy drinks for promotion. (Sadly, I cannot remember what day it was.)
Some of my friends and me found it quite annoying to be bothered with sales promotions during the con. I wouldn't mind about things related to con theme - like some animal charity, or plushies, or furry-themed movies and the like. But a team trying to sell stuff that has nothing to do with the con kind of ruined the atmosphere.
This! I found it absolutely tasteless (that they were there, I didn't taste the energy drink).
I have to agree here, the promotion was completly tasteless idea of the hotel.
Seconded. Especially when one of the "ladies" came to me and handed me a drink with the words (this is a quote!) "Here, drink this and have hard animal-sex" ....
Not sure what those people where told or thought, but that lead to a little talk between me and the promoters leader.
-
I have to agree here, the promotion was completly tasteless idea of the hotel.
Well. It's one of those things that tend to happen, I guess. At the entire con, nobody at any time looked as misplaced as these chicks and their pimp photographer.
I wouldn't call it tasteless but I wonder who paid whom and what were they hoping to achieve. A furry con isn't exactly the most photogenic backdrop for a beanstalk model in fake Gucci gear. ;D
-
I'm glad someone other people mentioned the drinks promotion thing, as I also found myself wondering what an earth all that was about! Didn't seem to fit in with the convention or anything.
-
Seconded. Especially when one of the "ladies" came to me and handed me a drink with the words (this is a quote!) "Here, drink this and have hard animal-sex" ....
Not sure what those people where told or thought, but that lead to a little talk between me and the promoters leader.
Well, you should have taken the drink and then grab that model and drag her to the next dirty roomparty to show her how the stuff works. :P
No, really, that was really out of place. And how I hate their fake smiles.
-
I'm glad someone other people mentioned the drinks promotion thing, as I also found myself wondering what an earth all that was about! Didn't seem to fit in with the convention or anything.
To clear this up: It was something the hotel did on their own. They had recently added that drink to their menu, and the company asked if they are allowed to do a promotion. We basically told the hotel it's their business, as long as they don't interfere with the con. I guess the company (I even forgot the name) did not know what an unusual group of people we are, and they seemed to get a bit desperate after their trained methods just wouldn't work with us :) We got a few (light) complaints, and we forwarded them to the management, and eventuelly they backed off. Basically it's the hotel's business to promote drinks, so we can hardly tell them not to. So while I take everyone's point that this initiative was not exactly stellar, it has no consequences for next year, as we are moving locations anyway.
-
Seconded. Especially when one of the "ladies" came to me and handed me a drink with the words (this is a quote!) "Here, drink this and have hard animal-sex" ....
Not sure what those people where told or thought, but that lead to a little talk between me and the promoters leader.
You should've taken her to room 366 instead :)
-
Seconded. Especially when one of the "ladies" came to me and handed me a drink with the words (this is a quote!) "Here, drink this and have hard animal-sex" ....
Not sure what those people where told or thought, but that lead to a little talk between me and the promoters leader.
I'd be surprised in a bad way if that happened to me and probably asked her if she is stupid or something. Maybe a good reply might be "Thanks for the offer, but you're not my type" :)
-
This was my second con and I loved it:D have no complaints at all about the con itself or how it was run!
I loved the flashmob in the mall and how it was organised :) I liked the little flyers put out on the table and how it was organised so that everyone could get ready in time after the Opening Ceremony! It was great fun! there were people to show you the way, and guide you to drinks as well as make sure you got to and from the hotel safely!
I also loved the fursuit lounge, Its normally great but this year there seemed to be an extra effort to make it run so much smoother! esp with all the fan problems to begin with! It was great how I didnt have to use my paws to try and get Eurofurence green, that someone was kind enough to keep filling up cups so that suiters could quickly grab a drink and cool off:) thankyou for that! was very thoughtful! the huge fan was great! we should forget to give that one back :D It made drying my suit so much easier! I also appreicated that the fans were kept an eye on, as there were a few instances where people *un* helpfully turned them on their backs to use them all to dry heads on which was quickly solved:) The sewing kit was a thoughtful addition, all that would make it even better was to be able to buy the Eurofurence green to take home with me ! cant get it over here and I love it :D Thankyou you also for keeping it open for hte Dead Dog Party, I know this caused extra strain when everyone was aleady tired but it was really appreciated <3
The lifts were ok this year! people were generally helpful in trying to make sure everyone squished into a lift! I loved the Surf simulator, even if I failed miserably :D despite cheating and sitting on it i still fell off! haha me= no sense of balance
I felt safe with all the security, not that there was or ever has been any reason not to feel safe, everyone is generally good natured, but I did like that when there was an issue security were very quick to find it and deal with it (toothbrush incedent:D ) I felt this set up a good relationship with the hotel and it made me feel happy :)
Dances were good! I liked the mix of music in all the dances, I felt the range in tempo was well balanced, you had a few faster dances and then a few slower ones to regain your energy. I liked the music choice in the DDP it was great to dance to classics and I managed to find a store of energy to dance a bit longer! Helped by the fans (thanks for those)
I loved the Guests of Honour! I felt they put alot of effort and love into their panels and loved their description of furry! I decided they should be our official media spokespeople! :D It was great they got involved and joined the photoshoot in the lobby:) Its made me want to get into puppeteering and hope they enjoyed themselves.
Hotel staff seemed easy going, The bar staff seemed to be the same from previous years so knew what to expect, and leaving a few Euro tips in my room led to being left animal pictures in response :D which I felt was quite sweet :)
So overall, I had a great con! Thankyou to everyone involved! :)
Now...with every up there's a down... and this isn't actually to do with the con itself, more the people that attend it and use of common sense.
I saw three cameras smashed over the con, one by a suiter who just jumped with no warning on the back of a photographer who not only had a drink in his hand but also his camera which went crashing to the floor and broke! suiter then ran off. Second example, someone threw something off the balcony advertising their *yiffy* room party, which ended up bouncing off a suiter and smashing a camera, suiter got blamed and chased round the lobby for a donation towards it. Common sense people!
I cant wait to come to Berlin if I can get it off work!
P.s. if anyone found a pale coloured doughnut with a brown swirl on it, tis mine.
-
This years con was awesome! Props you guys for making this con run so smooth as it did. The fursuit lounge simply worked. We were continuously supplied with drinks and snacks. Even free condoms, I saw ;3 - though I didn't make use of them, thanks for being concerned about our sexual health as well! <3
I too found the fursuit arrangements really awesome. Thanks for booking busses for the suiters to the zoo <3 The trip to (and around) the zoo was awesome! And so was the fursuit parade. I was amazed by the collaboration between the con staff and the authorities. Props to you guys, you did an awesome job! Good thinking with the drinks booth on the way, and the bike with water as well!
From a fursuiters point of view, there are a few things I would like to suggest:
- At elevators, have clear unmistakably signs pointing furs to the staircase, and have elevator-crew to help fursuiters board first. Some furs seemed to have forgotten their manner at home. Sadly.
- For fursuiters without pockets, offer some sort of secure storage (of small items), like phones and wallets.
- Some sort of entertainment in the fursuit lounge could be nice. It could be EF prime showing on 1 or 2 tv's. An updated timetable with upcoming events, and a clock, as sense of time is easily lost while drying. The timetable could be displayed on a pc monitor. To make this even more awesome, have prerecorded callouts 15 minutes before a panel starts. Unsure if this would end up being annoying. It's worth a try...
- Disinfectants and febreeze free to use.
- If possible, a fursuit washing service. I don't expect the con to play for it, but having it as a selfpaid option would be awesome. Or it could be included in the supersponser deal. Ie. 1 wash of all suits at once. Of course it has to be done by someone who knows what they are dealing with.
- With the many smokers outside hotel, I sincerly fear for my heath while suiting, due to poor ventilation in the fursuit head. Hitting a wall of smoke feels very unlpeasent, so I kept my suiting outside to a minimum. And that's a shame.
-
It was a great con, everything well organized, Check-in went smooth, the decoration was awesome, and the fursuit lounge very sophisticated and so useful! Thanks a lot to all the staff!
And the Fureoke night was damn AWESOME! There is nothing better than the old 70s-90s music and a lot of people singing it! Too bad I missed the beginning because the Fursuit Games were at the same time. I wanted to go back to my hotel when the games were over and just have a short peek what was going up at the fureoke. Yeah.. I stayed till the end xD
Pleas next year at the same time again!
The Fursuit Friendly dance was nice. I just missed a mix of some known songs like in the first hour last year. But I'm glad that some songs were remixed or a few played completly without being remixed. Maybe a bit shorter remixes and more differnt songs and it's perfect. At least I stayed..
The Big Blue dance was ok. I didn't stay long, because at 2am there was hey-look-i-have-bass like music. Don't like if it just goes wobwobwob.
4) The Dead Dog party. Ace, please be the DJ at the fursuit friendly dance next year?
5) This point I ask you to please correct me on if I'm wrong: the fursuit friendly dance seemed too fast-paced and there were zero familiar songs in the first hour. I know it's hard to please everyone, but for a fursuit friendly dance I'd expect music that is dancable...look at the difference between amount of suiters dancing at Ace's set vs the fursuit friendly dance. IMHO, it's best to start out with slower paced music and then go to the fast beat-y stuff.
Here I have to agree.
I was looking forward do some action in suit during the dances now that I finally have one, but... felt there was no music somehow. I was expecting that in between a lot of boomboom, there'd be some good, some old, some new, and some silly. But there was only boomboom.
See, I don't even expect people to play any classics from the 80s or something matching exactly my taste. But couldn't there be something that has, I dunno, a rythm at least? Even if it's boomboom with a rythm?
On the opposite, the music at the fureoke, or the Dead dog dance around 1 am (when I had just gotten out of suit after 3 hours and showered :( ), was great and felt so much better to go along with, and from the level the people cheered and enjoyed and growled along and went berzerk bouncing all over the place having an awesome time of their life during that, it was obviously not only my opinion.
And as for promotionists, tourists, filmers, and unsupervised kids running around: I know it is probably impossible to prevent and maybe required for good PR or happy partnership with the hotel and such. But if if we have a say in it, I prefer to stay among the furries around me on a furry convention, not having to watch for too many extra people that give you weird looks, ask annoying or awkward questions, or that might see things one would not want to show or say to a non-furry or for the whole web to know. Just saying. :)
-
Excerpt from my previous post
From a fursuiters point of view, there are a few things I would like to suggest:
An updated timetable with upcoming events, and a clock, as sense of time is easily lost while drying. The timetable could be displayed on a pc monitor. To make this even more awesome, have prerecorded callouts 15 minutes before a panel starts. Unsure if this would end up being annoying. It's worth a try...
- Disinfectants and febreeze free to use.
I obviously went to some comletely different convention: The "Anything but Eurofurence Convention". Before people starts going rawr-rawr, yes these were provided, I simple overlooked it. Blargh. (yes I do feel embarressed by the fact, that I could't see/find two clocks, and a large poster with events on a pinboard).
-
*chuckles*
Blame it on narrow blurry fursuit vision. ;D
-
- At elevators, have clear unmistakably signs pointing furs to the staircase, and have elevator-crew to help fursuiters board first. Some furs seemed to have forgotten their manner at home. Sadly.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but fur-suiters aren't the only people who need to use the lifts. Wearing a sofa, and/or three quarters of a blindfold, and/or dancing till you drop, is a choice. Having a medical condition is not. Consideration is a two way street.
That said, several stairs were marked "No room access!" and it's no small feet to climb up and down seven flights of stairs to your room and down again. I couldn't blame anyone who didn't want to do it more than once or twice a day.
-
Certainly we all want to make life harder for people especially for those with medical conditions, isn't that what we usually do if we can't scare them to death in our fursuits or burry them under plush? The master plan is to occupy all elevators and drive up and down till normal furs clogging in the staircases die after 3 days without water. You may have noticed we drink a lot in the lounge and checked these phase change cooling vests to stay alive ourselves.
-
Wearing a sofa, and/or three quarters of a blindfold, and/or dancing till you drop, is a choice. Having a medical condition is not. Consideration is a two way street.
an once or twice a day.
Certainly we all want to make life harder for people especially for those with medical conditions, isn't that what we usually do if we can't scare them to death in our fursuits or burry them under plush?
Guys, taking opposite extreme positions like that is not constructive. The elevators are public, everyone is free to use them. If we ask you to give priority to fursuiters, that doesn't mean that you should not also give priority to everyone else who obviously needs the elevator, including those with disabilities or medical conditions. All we're asking for is a little courtesy, really.
-
Considering everything was purrfect (special mention as always to the staff and the security, who are always nice and so efficent), the one and only point I will like to see improved next year is the Wi-Fi connection. I was unable to send a Twit or check emails or open a link in the 99% of the time, in all positions of the hotel-lobby. I don't know what happened in the last 2 years (that happened also at EF18) because I remember that Wi-Fi connection at EF17 was very good.
-
Considering everything was purrfect (special mention as always to the staff and the security, who are always nice and so efficent), the one and only point I will like to see improved next year is the Wi-Fi connection. I was unable to send a Twit or check emails or open a link in the 99% of the time, in all positions of the hotel-lobby. I don't know what happened in the last 2 years (that happened also at EF18) because I remember that Wi-Fi connection at EF17 was very good.
Just get a local pay-as-you-go SIM card for ~20€, that's what I've done the last two years and it's worked perfectly.
-
The only thing I can really give Feedbakc on was the Dance, as everything else was just that awesome and well done (PawPetShow absolutely blew me away this year, last year I found it kinda meh)
Fursuit Friendly Dance:
/Personal Opinion/
I hate regular 8bar House Music, predictable, repetetive, boring to listen to, and drops that dont really follow up on anything.
/Personal Opinion end
Taking that out of the frame, the DJing was solid, even though the transitions were a little to long at the preambles making it even more slower paced and repetetive a little. Though I do admit for Fursuiter trying to catch a breath between songs this probably was kind of fitting ^^
Other than that the music just didnt do it for me.
Big Blue Fox Dance:
I heard a lot of complaints about to much Hardcore based, and to much Electro "Bass" based music. it kinda goes into the same repetetiveness as House music, but with a more harder hitting sound, so I liked it way more and could enjoy dancing to it.
I do however missed a bitt of Happy Dance, Hands-Up and uplifting Progressive House music. It was there, kinda, but the songs were not really known, current Chart-Remixes were practicaly non-existant (I just like well done Pop-Remixes I dunnow x3)
Though I do find it very subtle and in favor for Fursuit Dancers that BBF choose songs that have really quiet and slower paced Breakdowns (again Catch a breath, and dance your soul out when the song Drops In again), but other than that I didn't really got a feeling for it, and I heard a lot of complaints of the music choice afterwards.
Just my 2 cents ^^
-
Fursuit Friendly Dance:
[...]
Taking that out of the frame, the DJing was solid, even though the transitions were a little to long at the preambles making it even more slower paced and repetetive a little. Though I do admit for Fursuiter trying to catch a breath between songs this probably was kind of fitting ^^
As a first time fursuiter I was very grateful for that slow approach. It made it possible to enjoy this dance for almost three hours, before I simply couldn't take the heat any more and had to go outside the hotel to cool down. It truly was fursuit friendly.
Big Blue Fox Dance:
I heard a lot of complaints about to much Hardcore based, and to much Electro "Bass" based music.
Really? I heard those complaints the two previous years, and I could see where they were coming from, but this year there seemed to be much more of a slope in the pacing and the selection of the music seemed to focus far more on melody. I found it very enjoyable even though I didn't get to dance much.
-
I've read the feedback so far but it's impossible to not repeat some of the things that have been said already...
For me, it was the best Eurofurence in many years, possibly ever. Every single team really outdid themselves and they deserve all the praise they get (we had a beautiful conbook, the best fursuit events ever, a flawless artshow and dealer's den, a level-headed security, very helpful con-ops, a tireless photoshoot-team, capable stage technicians... the list goes on an on!) Everyone wearing orange or red should really be proud of themselves!
My personal highlights:
- A pawpet show that set new standards...
- a fursuit walk that had half the town on their feet cheering like a big, happy holiday. It was incredibly touching and I'd never thought I'd say it but I'll miss Magdeburg.
All the small complaints that are gathering here should not distract us of the main message: EF19 was the best Eurofurence so far!
-
- a fursuit walk that had half the town on their feet cheering like a big, happy holiday. It was incredibly touching and I'd never thought I'd say it but I'll miss Magdeburg.
Many times this! :)
All the small complaints that are gathering here should not distract us of the main message: EF19 was the best Eurofurence so far!
Somehow it feels like the last EF at a repeated con site (EF12 Nürnberg, EF15 Suhl, EF19 Magdeburg) is always a local maximum of awesomeness :)
-
Considering everything was purrfect (special mention as always to the staff and the security, who are always nice and so efficent), the one and only point I will like to see improved next year is the Wi-Fi connection. I was unable to send a Twit or check emails or open a link in the 99% of the time, in all positions of the hotel-lobby. I don't know what happened in the last 2 years (that happened also at EF18) because I remember that Wi-Fi connection at EF17 was very good.
This is all second-hand info so I can't prove anything, but:
What I believe has happened is simply a huge increase in devices connecting to the network. Everybody has a smartphone / tablet / laptop etc. nowadays, and more visitors are around. I heard it was around 1220 unique devices during the con. Furthermore, if my info is correct, this huge amount of connection requests (all those devices keep auto-connecting to the network whenever it's in range) crashed the hotel's router several times.
In short: EF did the best they could, but the hotel's main connection simply couldn't keep up. Let's hope next year's connection is better =3
-
Considering everything was purrfect (special mention as always to the staff and the security, who are always nice and so efficent), the one and only point I will like to see improved next year is the Wi-Fi connection. I was unable to send a Twit or check emails or open a link in the 99% of the time, in all positions of the hotel-lobby. I don't know what happened in the last 2 years (that happened also at EF18) because I remember that Wi-Fi connection at EF17 was very good.
Just get a local pay-as-you-go SIM card for ~20€, that's what I've done the last two years and it's worked perfectly.
I second this notion. Eg. at Lidl Mobile / Fonic, you get a 150 MB/month allowance for 3.99€, 500 MB/month for 6.95€; and they will just push your speed down when you go over. And you can easily switch back to the 0€ default plan once you're done using your German SIM.
-
Considering everything was purrfect (special mention as always to the staff and the security, who are always nice and so efficent), the one and only point I will like to see improved next year is the Wi-Fi connection. I was unable to send a Twit or check emails or open a link in the 99% of the time, in all positions of the hotel-lobby. I don't know what happened in the last 2 years (that happened also at EF18) because I remember that Wi-Fi connection at EF17 was very good.
This is all second-hand info so I can't prove anything, but:
What I believe has happened is simply a huge increase in devices connecting to the network. Everybody has a smartphone / tablet / laptop etc. nowadays, and more visitors are around. I heard it was around 1220 unique devices during the con. Furthermore, if my info is correct, this huge amount of connection requests (all those devices keep auto-connecting to the network whenever it's in range) crashed the hotel's router several times.
In short: EF did the best they could, but the hotel's main connection simply couldn't keep up. Let's hope next year's connection is better =3
While this suggestion I'm about to make won't help with being able to connect to the WiFi, it should help with avoiding the overloading of the network link to the convention hotel:
Remind people using the WiFi to turn off automatically uploading of photos to places like Apple's Photostream, Dropbox, Google, etc. Many smartphones have the option to automatically do this when you're connected to a WiFi link, and that means that every photo someone takes from their phone gets pushed up that narrow pipe from the hotel as soon as they join EF-Public.
-
Next year, the WiFi will be provided by the convention center - providing WiFi for a space of that size would have been beyond our own capabilities anyways. They are currently switching to a new provider that provides a limited bandwidth for free (enough for every day tasks such as twitter, email, and other services), and higher bandwidth for a fee. That system will most likely be able to handle large amounts of people just fine :)
(And before someone asks: No, I don't know the exact prices or the exact bandwidth.)
-
On that topic:
Thank you Eurofurence and Network team for acutally providing complimentary free wifi for everyone.
It is a very convenient extra service.
(Eventhough people should really be at the con to be at the con, and not to be staring at their screens.)
;D