Midwest FurFest

Midwest FurFest (a.k.a. MFF) is the world's largest furry convention with an attendance of 11,019 in 2019. It is held annually in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention has been running as a separate entity since 2000.

History
MFF began as the furry track for Duckon, which is a Chicago-based science fiction convention. It was started at Duckon 3 in 1994 and was headed up by Robert King. It grew larger yearly and it was estimated that by Duckon 8 (1999) between a quarter and a third of the attendees were there due to interest in the furry track.

The track ran into problems because it was running out of room to expand without costing other parts of Duckon programming space and time. It was decided that the best course of action was to move into a new convention. Thus, Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. was created and MFF was born, to take place in November 2000, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. The parting was amicable, and Duckon lent a good bit of expertise and manpower to help make the first year of MFF a success.

Since then, the convention has grown from 473 attendees in 2000 to 10,989 in 2018, making it the largest furry convention in the world surpassing the previous title holder, AC, in registered attendance in 2017. It has helped raise over $285,276 for various charities.

MFF is a production of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., which holds Midwest Furfest and furfest as service marks.

The official Twitter account advises attendees to post on Twitter using the hashtag "#FurFest", as many other conventions are abbreviated MFF, one of which takes place at around the same time. Previously, MFF suggested using the "#MWFF" hashtag, for the same reason.

Current Event
MFF has called the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois home since 2010. Features of the convention include an Artist Alley, Dealers Den, art show, charity auction, dances (including a dead dog dance), the FurFest Lounge and Fursuit Green Room, fursuit games and a parade, opening and closing ceremonies, a photoshoot and a variety show.

Statistics

 * MWFF-Charity-Graph.jpeg

Guests of honor
Yearly, MFF selects talent from within the community, with a focus on people who have not yet been recognized.

Charities
Yearly, MFF selects a local animal-related charity to focus on. The total amount raised is $449,073.81.

Convention Chairs
Yearly, the of Board of Directors for Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. selects a Convention chair to oversee the following year's event.