Why Don't We Have a Full-Sized Convention In Vancouver?

[The Superfoxy Genius]

I was looking through Wikifur's list of Conventions a while ago, and it seems that for some reason, there isn't a major convention in Vancouver. Why is this? Not enough furs in western Canada? I have a hard time believing that's the case. I would love to see that brand new convention centre downtown full of furries. Why can't we do this?

[Pixel]

They do. It's called howloween.

[The Superfoxy Genius]

Maybe I'll go. How big is it? And are there vendors and other stuff there, or is it just a party?

[The Superfoxy Genius]

They do. It's called howloween.

Doesn't look to be going on this year. 

[Brasou]

They do. It's called howloween.

howloween is not a full sized convention, its pretty much just a huge fur-meet. Last year even the speaker guy admitted it wasn't a convention. Not that it wasn't fun as hell, but there isn't any vendors, or major plans like most cons have. it was just smaller group games, some improve, drawing competitions, lots of fursuits and fursuit games. there was also a seperate room setup for artists and stuff like that.

[Pixel]

my bad. clearly need to lurk moar.

[Pilot]

It's alright Pixel, I still heart you.

I would love to see a Con in Vancouver,
Even though, it takes a lot of planning and what not.

[Drewdle]

I would be open to volunteering the time to be an organizer. Why not host it on Vancouver Island? Victoria and Nanaimo are much smaller and cheaper and easier to deal with than Vancouver. There's also a lot more nature close by.

[RappyRaptor]

Define "full size"

[The Superfoxy Genius]

Define "full size"

Something that takes up a big portion of the new Vancouver Convention Centre.

[RappyRaptor]

In order for that to happen, I'm sure in a contract there has to be an agreement that atleast x-amount of people are guaranteed to attend before a convention center would allow such a thing.

[Drewdle]

That place is huge, dude. As cool as that would be, is there a big enough concentration of furs around here to pull that off?

I think you can do it on a smaller scale and still manage to have it be a "full size" meet. To me, "full size" entails that we have a trade center, an art gallery, a stage set up with performers and guests, and a play/nap area. No, not for that kind of play, I just mean for horsing around, role plays, and those of us who like our afternoon catnaps.

To get it off the ground, I think it needs to be reasonably inexpensive. So, in other words, cost per table etc isn't too high, and the fee to get in is reasonable (offer a two-three day pass as well as single day options). This also entails that the convention center or hotel that is our host is not going to tear our limbs off for costs, which I'm pretty sure they'd be willing to do at the VCC. It needs more research, however. If the VCC is reasonable, then hey, that's cool.

There is a certain amount of financial outlay that also needs to be addressed for the first meet, if these operations want our cash in advance. If we can pay them off after everyone registers and/or pays at the door, then we've got it made in the shade, but there is going to be SOME expense involved I would imagine. So the question becomes, who's got the cash to invest without the guarantee they'll make it back? If I had it, I'd do it, but I don't presently (ah, monies).

Also, how serious are we about this? Because I'm almost in love with this idea. BC, and Canada in general, needs more fur-cons! You might get people willing to travel great distances to be at this one too, if we can pull it off. I mean, there's people who go to Feral! from BC, so I'd say this is fair game.

[Orcus]

If you guys want to plan a proper con, my suggestion is have grand ideas but keep it reasonable. Search for a place that has flexible meeting rooms so that the space(s) can be set up how ever you like. To have one big room, or a couple of smaller ones. Theses spaces can also be changed over night if needed and requested.

2) fins some where that has package deals, it is the norm for convention spaces to sell table but not include any type of covering with out an additional cost, smaller venues seeking new customers may be willing to include that.

3) Convention spaces will try to up sell. They are selling the space for use, again look for a smaller all in one venue. Smaller hotel that advertise a convention space are worth a look.

4) give it a year or in planning, chances are the space and dates you would want are already booked that far in advance anyways.

5) bring on staff and get advice from those that have but on these events before.

[Shnell]

dude... that would be amazing to have a big convention in Vancouver

[The Superfoxy Genius]

That place is huge, dude. As cool as that would be, is there a big enough concentration of furs around here to pull that off?

I think you can do it on a smaller scale and still manage to have it be a "full size" meet. To me, "full size" entails that we have a trade center, an art gallery, a stage set up with performers and guests, and a play/nap area. No, not for that kind of play, I just mean for horsing around, role plays, and those of us who like our afternoon catnaps.

To get it off the ground, I think it needs to be reasonably inexpensive. So, in other words, cost per table etc isn't too high, and the fee to get in is reasonable (offer a two-three day pass as well as single day options). This also entails that the convention center or hotel that is our host is not going to tear our limbs off for costs, which I'm pretty sure they'd be willing to do at the VCC. It needs more research, however. If the VCC is reasonable, then hey, that's cool.

There is a certain amount of financial outlay that also needs to be addressed for the first meet, if these operations want our cash in advance. If we can pay them off after everyone registers and/or pays at the door, then we've got it made in the shade, but there is going to be SOME expense involved I would imagine. So the question becomes, who's got the cash to invest without the guarantee they'll make it back? If I had it, I'd do it, but I don't presently (ah, monies).

Also, how serious are we about this? Because I'm almost in love with this idea. BC, and Canada in general, needs more fur-cons! You might get people willing to travel great distances to be at this one too, if we can pull it off. I mean, there's people who go to Feral! from BC, so I'd say this is fair game.

Yeah, numbers are an issue. Even Anthrocon is kinda small, as as far as I can tell, compared to other types of conventions. But correct me if I'm wrong. Adn yeah, That space probably would be off the table, at least for the first few years. As for organizing, well, I'm not really qualified. I'm new to furrydom, and I'm not an artist, so I wouldn't be a choice for leadership on a project like this. But if anyone else wants to spearhead the initiative, I'd be glad to help.

Also for the first year if you get enough advertising and put ads out on like FA or something you might be able to aim for like 150-250 people to show up for the first year. If there was enough research done and planning made you could possibly get something together and have it going in the second half of next year. But to get a full sized con for something like MFF and FC you first gotta start off small for the first 2-3 years then upscale accordingly.

If you are serious about planning something like this I would recommend you start doing research and making up a plan and get a small group together to arrange it. If not then this is just another dream people aren't willing enough to work together for.

Yeah. It might start off kinda small. And like I said, I'd be glad to help. So it looks like it would have to be a small hotel or something.

If you guys want to plan a proper con, my suggestion is have grand ideas but keep it reasonable. Search for a place that has flexible meeting rooms so that the space(s) can be set up how ever you like. To have one big room, or a couple of smaller ones. Theses spaces can also be changed over night if needed and requested.

2) fins some where that has package deals, it is the norm for convention spaces to sell table but not include any type of covering with out an additional cost, smaller venues seeking new customers may be willing to include that.

3) Convention spaces will try to up sell. They are selling the space for use, again look for a smaller all in one venue. Smaller hotel that advertise a convention space are worth a look.

4) give it a year or in planning, chances are the space and dates you would want are already booked that far in advance anyways.

5) bring on staff and get advice from those that have but on these events before.

Very good points, Orcus. Thanks.

dude... that would be amazing to have a big convention in Vancouver

Yeah, that's why I started the thread. By the way, Shnell, your Avatar is sooooooo cute! *falls down and dies from the cuteness* Did you make it yourself?

[Shnell]

hahaha thanks! (: I didn't make it though, Hibbary did. She's awesome!

[Kittara]

What about the outer limits?? Like in Aldergrove or Chilliwack *lol* Chilliwack is small and near alot of forested areas and no, I'm not just saying this because I live here, it's just that it would be a much cheaper option than Vancouver itself and it's only about an hour or 2 out of Vancouver. Maybe even Hope? It's further, but it'd be the cheapest option in my opinion... it's mostly a tourist town, so why could use the fact that it'll bring more money into the town... that and they have the blue moose cafe which has awesome coffee and a BLUE MOOSE!!!!

[PaulShep]

That would be cool.

But Winnipeg on the other hand is a pretty good convention city. I heard Ai-Kon, the Anime convention that was held in the WPG Convention Centre was a success. We have two major hotels just around the corner from it, and it's all downtown. Would fit perfectly to host a convention. But that's just my opinion. I think pretty much any major city can host a good convention, as long as it isn't half-assed.

[Shnell]

I think basically any major city in Canada would have pretty good potential for becoming a full-sized successful con over a period of time, the most difficult thing is getting it started though... because for the first few years you're not going to get large numbers until the con builds up a good rep and people see it as a good thing to travel internationally for, etc...
But yeah, like I said earlier, it would be fantastic to see this actually happen in the future. It would be really handy having a local full-sized convention going on.

[frostscar]

http://www.vancoufur.ca/

Looking like your about to get your wish. Would be cool to see a large Canadian run con on the West Coast. Make the Californian's have to come up to Canada instead of the other way round for a change