FM2025; Here we come!

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Hey everyone! Its your friendly local neighborhood raccoon here. Specifically, Rico! Going into FM2025, I am taking the position of our previous conchair, Kellic, to lead the convention into new territories, innovation and keeping the experience rolling!

For those who don’t know me, My name is Rico and I live here south of the Twin Cities. I’ve been heavily involved with Minnesota Furs Board of Directors and staff duties for the past 8 years, and have been staff for Furry Migration for the previous 7. As Kellics tenure as convention chair started coming to a close, several of our staff members nominated me for consideration for convention chair. For those that do know me, I didn’t run for re-election on the Board of directors with the primary goal of “taking a break”. Well… I figured why not one more large leadership position for the convention before I formally actually take my break. Plus how can I not? After the excitement of FM2024 being on the first floor, being tasked with continuing the awesome venue space of first and second floor… How could I say no to something like that!?

What does a con-chair do?

I get asked this question actually quite a bit, and ideally if a conchair is doing everything right, it should be seamless and not being super aware of them means (in most cases) they’re doing things right!

When you attend Furry Migration, you see the magic of the convention: attendees mingling in fursuit, panels buzzing with energy, and the Dealers Den brimming with unique offerings. But behind the scenes, there’s a person who helps orchestrate it all—the Conchair. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into running a convention of this scale, here’s a peek into the role of the conchair and why it’s crucial for Furry Migration’s success.

At its core, the Conchair is the leader of the convention. They work to define the vision, theme, and goals for the year while keeping everything running smoothly. This involves setting priorities, maintaining the convention’s unique culture, and ensuring every attendee has an enjoyable experience. For example, Furry Migration’s signature themes of community and creativity didn’t just happen—they were carefully planned and cultivated by past Conchairs who made decisions with these values in mind.

A furry convention has a lot of moving parts, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a last-minute vendor cancellation, technical difficulties in the video game room, or unexpected changes to hotel policies, the Conchair steps in to address challenges swiftly and effectively. Their role is not just about solving problems but also about anticipating them. Months before the convention even starts (and sometimes, even years), the Conchair works on contingency plans for potential issues to minimize disruptions.

Being a Conchair is no small feat. It’s a year-round commitment that demands leadership, adaptability, and an unyielding passion for the furry community. It’s not just about logistics—it’s about creating a space where furries from all walks of life can connect, express themselves, and build lasting memories.

Objectives for 2025

With that being said, I have some objectives for 2025 and onward:

• Helping all our departments formulate a 3-year plan. Yeah yeah I know. This sounds really corporate, but as Furry Migration grows, so does our need to handle it more effectively. Its important for the convention (and thus departments) to innovate and try new things to grow with the convention. Ideally, I want all our departments to have a 3 year plan so they can strive and follow a path for growth.
• Stronger attention to Theming. Developing immersive and cohesive convention themes that resonate throughout all areas, from panels to decor. Encourage creative attendee involvement through themed contests, art challenges, and interactive activities.
• More redundancy and testing! Several departments are critical for the success of the convention. With these departments, I’ll be assisting with furthering redundancy in our systems and processes.
• Focus on Inclusivity and Accessibility. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. For 2025, we’re enhancing our efforts to ensure all attendees feel valued and supported. This includes expanding accessibility features such as clearer signage, improved navigation tools, and additional quiet spaces for those who need a break from the bustling convention atmosphere. We’re also working on dietary accommodations to cater to a broader range of needs and fostering a community where furries from diverse backgrounds, including international attendees, can connect and thrive. Through these initiatives, we aim to make Furry Migration a space where everyone feels they belong.
• Dealers & Artist Experience. The Dealers Den and Artist Alley are at the heart of the Furry Migration experience, and we’re dedicated to making these spaces even better in 2025. A revamped layout will ensure smoother traffic flow and better visibility, giving every vendor and artist the spotlight they deserve.

“Why cant I register yet!?”

Another question I see lingering around is the lack of a “early bird” registration option this year after FM2024 concluded. This was intentional. We needed some time to revisit our registration system to re-tool it for our growth and attendee throughput during the convention weekend. We weren’t sure if we were going to stick with our current solution, or switch to a new solution. The best way to move between systems is with minimal data migration, so with that being said, we figured it was best to not have any attendees in our registration software to make the process easier. We’ll communicate soon on reg reopening, but we’re shooting for the first or second month of 2025.

The website will be rebranded around that time as well.

As we look ahead to Furry Migration 2025, I am incredibly excited and honored to step into the role of Conchair. This convention has always been a place where creativity, community, and connection thrive, and I’m eager to continue that tradition while exploring new ways to make Furry Migration even more special for everyone. With a focus on stronger theming, inclusivity, and elevating the attendee experience, I’m confident that next year’s convention will be our most vibrant and memorable yet. Together with our amazing team of staff and volunteers, we’re already hard at work planning for what’s to come.

I can’t wait to share this journey with all of you and see you at Furry Migration 2025!