ConFurence 7

ConFurence 7 was the 1996 ConFurence furry convention. It was held from January 12-14 at the Atrium Marquis Hotel in Irvine, California, with some events overflowing into the adjacent Radisson Plaza hotel.

The theme for that year was "Furries in Force". The first Golden Sydney Award for promotion of the fandom was given to Jymn Magon. Three-day memberships cost $20 in advance.

Guests of Honor

 * S. Andrew Swann (author of "Forests of the Night")
 * Frank Kelly Freas and Laura Freas (SF/fantasy artists)
 * Eric Schwartz (artist/animator)
 * Michael Higgs (artist)

Events
The ConFurence Filk Contest was won by "Tears Like Rain" by Seanan McGuire.

Staff

 * Directors: Mark Merlino (facilities/logistics), Rod O'Riley (program/dealers), Jazmyn Concolor (membership/records), Sky Rigdon (support), Shayn Raney (staff liaison)
 * Publications: Mark Merlino, Rod O'Riley, Jazmyn Concolor, Sky Rigdon, Dean Hellerud, John Stanley
 * Art Show: Viky Levitin (lead), Sheri Mount (second), Tim Fitelson, Dennis R. Peterson, Jazmyn Concolor (records)
 * Registration: Karl Maurer, and DeWayne Stuart (co-leads); Kay Shapero (den mother); Jonathan Hartman, Jay A. Long, Daniel J. Torres
 * Information: Chaz Baden
 * Security: Tom McDaniel, Zsanene Klinkler and James Patrick Callicott (co-leads); Dawn Britt, Steven Bornstein, Jonathan Hartman, Beth Finck
 * Fur Le Dance Club: Mark Merlino (manager), Debbie Sternberg (dancer coordinator), Mike Iennaco (stage lead), Lisa Iennaco (support lead), Amanda Geyer, John Geyer, Lynn Kurtz, Christine Armstrong
 * Fur Rave: Avi Melman (USDA inspector).  NOTE: David Klinkler was originally intended to be the lead for this event, but he was tragically murdered the week before the convention.
 * Event Video: David Bliss (lead), Jazmyn Concolor
 * Video Programming: John Cawley (lead)
 * Daily Newsletter: Brian Henderson and Lori Henderson (co-leads)
 * Gaming: Kurt Miller (lead)
 * General Support: William Arnold, George F. Chaney III, Derrick Dasenbrock, Stephanie DaSilva, Robert K. Davis, Canuss, Dennis Mott, James P. Mullen, Charles Nezzer Jr, Ken Nielsen, Damon Otoshi, Rob Powell, Gary Renaud

Mascots
Sydney Fisher, Atrium Marquis, Radisson

Super Sponsors
Scott Alexander, Brian Antoine, Ralph Atwood, James Birdsall, Eric-Alexander Bitton, David Bliss, Gary Breuckman, David L. Broadwell, Michael T. Danager, David Ewell, Rick Farnsworth, Steve Gattuso, Amanda Geyer, John Geyer, Roz Gibson, Pete Glaskowski, Chad Glidden, Rich Griffin, William Haas, Lionman,  Jonathan Hartman, Brock Hoagland, Mark Iennaco, Ron Johnson, James P. Kelly, David E. Klinkler, Robert Larson, Charlie G. Lee, Richard Lewis, Kim Liu, Bruce A. Lolley, Sean Malloy, Jeff Mancebo, Jacob Markow, Drew Maxwell, Paul P. McNutt, David Meacham, Dennis Messer, Craig Muckey, Matthew R. Muench, Ron Orr, John Pennington III, Christopher L. Pesi, Dennis R. Peterson, Deon Ramsey, Gary Renaud, Robert J. Repas Jr, Jonah E. Safar, Mark L. Serverson, Charles E. Terrell Jr, Richard F. Thatcher, Phil Thomson, Tom Traubitz, John Van Stry, Lance Videen, Bruce Wilhite

Sponsors
Earl P. Bacon, Stephan Bartels, Steven Bornstein, Thomas G. Brady, Anthony C. Brewer, Richard Brooks, R. Cody Buchmann, David Buttenshaw, Joshua Carpman, Jeff D. Castle, Kevin Dong, Bernard Doove, James Drew, Romano Eberwein, Don Fitch, William A. Green, William Haskell, Gerrit Heitsch, Jeffery Scott Jonas, Robert C. King, Ashley Kitto, Steven Lang, Walter A. Lyzohub Jr, Charles Nezzer, Colleen Polak, Paul Polak, Roy D. Pounds II, Jim Rauscher, Keith Steiger, Brian R. Thomas, Gary Wells, John C. Williams, Paul Williams

The souvenir program book was 56 black-and-white pages, featuring cover art by Roz Gibson. The T-shirt was designed by Eric Schwartz and printed by RaSport of Anaheim, California.