Regarding FurFright's ending.
This is strictly my own opinion, so if anyone does not like what they are reading, please feel free to skip over this entry. Furs, like any other social group, can have a percentage of individuals who are greedy little hogs that are never satisfied no matter how much they are given. It is now common knowledge that due to severe circumstances in their personal lives, Belic and K'gra can no longer continue with FurFright, so they have decided to end the convention altogether. Some are calling this "selfish", "wrong", "childish", etc., and listing various reasons that the reigns should be handed off to someone else. FurFright, like many other conventions, started off as a gathering of friends. When the number of those attending increased, the amount of space needed for it also increased. Over time, FurFright's attendee list increased more and more, so much so that an attendance cap was put in place to protect the convention's original purpose and character. There was never any "guarantee" or "contract", or even any kind of promise that FurFright would continue over time. Belic and K'gra are more than within their rights to close up the convention for good. If anyone wants to start a new convention, then by all means do so, but don't expect someone else to just hand off their creation to you. As K'gra has stated: "It is also very simple for an event to come up with a new name. *grins*
As far as Belic and I are concerned, this was a pact we made from the very beginning when someone tried to steal the con away from us and make it an illegally set-up for-profit event instead. And we have also seen conventions change chairs and then go downhill afterwards. We didn't want to risk this happening with FurFright. (This is NOT a dig at anyone on our staff or our corporate Board of Directors.) I know there are people who will say (and are saying) "omg! how selfish!", and it is to a small extent. But if you had worked really hard on something like this, poured your very soul into it, had to deal with all the stress and anxieties of making sure everything came together, you would be protective of the final product as well.
Also, from a purely practical standpoint, there is no reason another company can't be formed to take FurFright's place. It's not an impossible or even difficult task. I did it myself by just looking up information at the library and online. It's cheap ($90 filing fee with the state at the time) and the forms are simple to do. I've even offered to help those looking to create a new event. So there's no reason for people to be upset that we didn't just turn the reins over to someone else. :)"
Everyone is free to think whatever they like, but my only words to Belic and K'gra regarding FurFright's ending are: "Thank you!" Duncan and I always enjoyed FurFright, it was our favorite furry convention, and while it will be missed, I feel it's far more important to stand by Belic and K'gra. Why? Simple, it is because they are dear friends who I treasure far more than a convention. Those who wish to criticize and attack them, especially while they are going through a rough time can go straight to Hell!
As far as Belic and I are concerned, this was a pact we made from the very beginning when someone tried to steal the con away from us and make it an illegally set-up for-profit event instead. And we have also seen conventions change chairs and then go downhill afterwards. We didn't want to risk this happening with FurFright. (This is NOT a dig at anyone on our staff or our corporate Board of Directors.) I know there are people who will say (and are saying) "omg! how selfish!", and it is to a small extent. But if you had worked really hard on something like this, poured your very soul into it, had to deal with all the stress and anxieties of making sure everything came together, you would be protective of the final product as well.
Also, from a purely practical standpoint, there is no reason another company can't be formed to take FurFright's place. It's not an impossible or even difficult task. I did it myself by just looking up information at the library and online. It's cheap ($90 filing fee with the state at the time) and the forms are simple to do. I've even offered to help those looking to create a new event. So there's no reason for people to be upset that we didn't just turn the reins over to someone else. :)"
Everyone is free to think whatever they like, but my only words to Belic and K'gra regarding FurFright's ending are: "Thank you!" Duncan and I always enjoyed FurFright, it was our favorite furry convention, and while it will be missed, I feel it's far more important to stand by Belic and K'gra. Why? Simple, it is because they are dear friends who I treasure far more than a convention. Those who wish to criticize and attack them, especially while they are going through a rough time can go straight to Hell!