ConFurence

2026-09-05T01:17:53Z

98.38.38.68: /* Mascot(s) */ Added ConFurence mascot name

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{{Infobox convention
| name = ConFurence
| othernames = ConFurence: The International Anthropomorphic Convention/Exposition
| logo = [[File:ConfurenceLogo.png]]
| caption =
| subject = [[Furry]]
| location = {{flagdiv|usa|[[W:Orange County, California|Orange County, California]], USA}}
| url = http://www.confurence.org
| status = Defunct
| first = January 21-22, 1989
| final = April 25-27, 2003
| organizer = [[The ConFurence Group]], [[Mark Merlino]] (1989-1999), [[Rod O'Riley]] (1989-1999), [[Darrel Exline]] (1999-2003)
| charity = N/A
| resources = {{con resources}}
}}
{{ConFurence}}
'''ConFurence''' was an annual American [[furry convention]].

== Overview ==

Apart from being the first [[furcon]] in [[furry fandom]]'s [[furry history|recorded history]], it was the longest running annual [[furry event]] in until [[Eurofurence 16]] was held in September 2010.

Initially headed up by two [[SoCal]] [[furries]], [[fandom organizer]]s [[Mark Merlino]] ([[convention chairman]]) and [[Rod O'Riley]] ([[programming]]), control was transferred to [[Darrel Exline]] after [[ConFurence 10]].

Starting in 1989 as a test-run called "[[ConFurence 0]]", it was usually held at the end of January in various venues around southern California, particularly in Orange County, where it was cheaper to book hotel space at that time of year.

ConFurence ran for a further fourteen years, reaching its zenith in 1998 ([[ConFurence 9]]) with over 1200 attendees. Attendance dropped sharply after this, due in varying parts to a schedule change, a change of venue (100 miles from the main Southern California population centers), competition from [[Further Confusion]] and other Furry cons, and the [[Wikipedia:Dot-com_bubble#The_bubble_bursts|dot-com bust]]. It ended with [[ConFurence 2003]] and was succeeded by [[Califur]] in 2004.

== History ==

The convention started as an offshoot of the traditional [[Sci-Fi]] / [[Fantasy]] / [[Anime]] model which would include a hotel at reduced group rates, a furry-specific programming track located in the general event areas of the hotel, and followed with social gatherings and [[room parties]] in the evening.

With the rise of ever-more-popular [[furry parties]] occurring at various other conventions both in the Bay Area and SoCal, at one point, Rod had the idea of "Let's put on a show." Plans for the fandom's very first convention then began.

[[Dr Pepper]], a non-furry, but a supportive fan, coined the name. True, it wasn't a big deal, just a simple sentence: "Hey Mark, about that new convention you're thinking of, how about calling it 'Confurence'?"{{fact}} But hey, someone had to.

With the success of the first test con, plans were put into effect for an actual, organized furry gathering the following year. ConFurence was born.

=== Change of ownership ===

During the final staff meeting, Mark Merlino announced that after [[CF10]], he would be stepping down as [[convention chairman]]. Nominations and a staff-wide vote was cast. [[Darrel Exline]] was voted in as the new head of the convention starting post-CF10. The rights to the ConFurence name were [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/browse_frm/thread/d2b120ab5c3ebc5e/6a09db8c3d9868a2#6a09db8c3d9868a2 transferred] from Mark to Darrel for US$1. The rights and merchandise for cons 1-10 remained Mark's property, while the name "ConFurence" and all future events after 4 April 1999 became the sole property of Darrel.

Darrel changed the administrative make-up of the convention, creating an umbrella company called [[ConFurence Group]] which would be the overall entity in control of several subgroups and events: ConFurence, [[CritterConDiego]], and [[ZonieCon]].

A change of venue to the Burbank Hilton was announced. All three subsequent ConFurences were held there. The numbering of the conventions was altered to follow the trend set by other entities to a yearly indicator. ConFurence 13 became [[ConFurence 2002]], and similarly for the one following in 2003.

=== Decline ===
[[File:BlackSheets10-ConFurenceMailboxBooks.jpg|right|thumb|210px|Mention of ConFurence in alternative sexuality '[[zine]] ''Black Sheets'' #10, "Bestiality and Glamour" sparked [http://dogpatch.press/2015/08/31/rumor-ad-for-confurence/ claims that CF ran an ad in a fetish magazine].]]
Depending on who you ask, what happened next to the convention is up for debate. Convention attendance continued to decline. Many debate as to the reasons why this occurred; among the debated factors were:

* '''Reputation''' - Two types of people regularly complained about ConFurence. Half complained it was too wild; the other half complained it wasn't wild enough. When Darrel Exline accepted the duties of con chair in 1999, he admitted he considered himself a Burned Fur <ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/1b0a6277b9371d98?hl=en& Darrel Exline on AFF, 03/29/99] - Darrel Exline states he is a Burned Fur</ref>, and Burned Fur member Hangdog began spreading the rumor that Burned Fur was "running" Confurence<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/946b48c02707a034 Hangdog on AFF, 09/08/99] - Hangdog claims Burned Fur is running Confurence</ref>. When furry lifestylers started expressing reservations about attending Confurence and deciding not to attend, Burned Fur member Mitch Marmel remarked that Confurence was "surviving and thriving without them."<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/2926412ab094c1ec?hl=en& M. Mitchell Marmel on AFF, 05/20/02] - MMM claims CF is "surviving and thriving"—he had made similar remarks on a mailing list in 2001.</ref> ConFurence eventually gained a stigma as "Burnedfurence" and never recovered. Darrel Exline did not declare he wasn't a Burned Fur until 2001<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.lifestyle.furry/msg/47dbe313470d2c0b Darrel Exline on ALF, 04/09/01] - In response to "Burnedfurence" label, Darrel Exline finally disassociates himself from Burned Fur</ref>.

:Although the entire staff of Confurence pre-Darrel practically remained the same, except for a few new staff who came in from [[wikipedia:LASFS|LASFS]], the idea that the convention lost members due to Darrel's political and social affiliations remains a possibility.
* '''Date and venue''' - During [[ConFurence 9]], Rod O'Riley announced that the convention would be changing its venue to San Diego, and the date would be changing from late January to mid-April. It was at this point that [[Mitra]], [[Whitefire]], and others immediately began to plan a convention that would be more convenient to the [[Bay Area]], since San Diego was distant for the majority of Californian furs to travel. This became [[Further Confusion]].

:The change of CF's date was also a shock, as many had planned their schedules according to the January pattern. Additional bad timing came from the fact that [[ConFurence 10]] happened on Easter weekend, which many complained would make it impossible for them to travel. Later ConFurences did ''not'' occur on the holiday weekend, but attendance continued to decline. [[Further Confusion|FC]] was a major contributing factor: they scheduled themselves in ConFurence's old January timeslot, giving the northern Californian attendees a local con that fit many people's schedules.

:In the following years, moving ConFurence north to Irvine and Burbank did nothing to improve registration. Many said that with the dropping attendance, the Burbank Hilton began to look like a "Ghost Town". The hotel had a full-fledged convention center adjacent to the main tower, large enough to handle 1000+ attendees; many people complained that the large venue made the convention seem even smaller than it was, and that running into friends and acquaintances was made more difficult in the huge space. While the actual attendance did not drop all that sharply, the venue itself made it seem that way.

* '''Price''' - The price of the convention steadily rose, and those only wanting partial or single-day memberships were met with fewer amenities and still higher prices. The idea of trying to push people into getting a full membership failed as those casual attendees who knew they would not be able to attend all 4 days would be spending much more money for a 2-day (weekend) registration. Some resorted to simply hanging out in the lobby and at room parties in people's personal hotel rooms, rather than pay for the rising price of a shrinking convention and programming track. The collapse of the economic dot-com bubble in California may also have been a factor.
* '''Depreciation''' - Following [[ConFurence 9]], the next two years witnessed a sharp increase in the number of furry fans finding out about the fandom, which led to a rise of regional Furry Conventions nationwide. [[Conifur Northwest]], [[Mephit Furmeet]], [[Furry Spring Break]], [[Feral!]], and [[ZonieCon]] (to name just a few) suddenly sprung up, and the need for furs to travel cross-country diminished.

:Whatever the case, Darrel announced that [[ConFurence 2003]] (14) would be the final ConFurence, and that the name and event, while remaining his sole property, would cease to exist and operate. In the program book, Darrel explained some of his motivations for keeping the convention alive, admitting to mistakes and things he could have done better<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060503034356/http://www.polarden.org/confurence/ ConFurence is no more] by Darrel L. Exline (mirror on Archive.org)</ref>. Debates about his chairmanship continued after the end of the ConFurence, pointing out he had allowed television crews to attend during the final year<ref>[http://www.flayrah.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1472 Rumor control from Darrel Exline]. ''[[Flayrah]]'', May 1, 2003.</ref>.

:The demise of ConFurence led to the almost instantaneous rise of [[Califur]], with a similar staff to ConFurence, to be held the following year.

== Mascot(s) ==

ConFurence's official [[mascot]] was [[Sydney Fisher]].

== Programming ==

Programming at a typical con consisted of several tracks that ran simultaneously in different event rooms within the hotel. There would be a main stage/auditorium which would easily seat a few hundred people, which would be the stage for special guests, [[art auctions]], [[pet auctions]], [[fursuit contests]], and the [[Cabaret Fur Le Dance]] being prime examples of main events. Also, the room would double for nightly social dances, such as the [[Fursuit Dance]], and the ever-popular [[Purple Nurple Live]].

Smaller rooms would hold [[SIG]] panels (Special Interest Groups), usually regarding species-specific discussion, art panels, question-and-answer sessions between attendees and special guests, and other general meet-ups.

There was a ConFurence Filk Contest every year.<ref>[http://www.kayshapero.net/cf_fwin.htm ConFurence Filk Contest] on kayshapero.net. Retrieved May 3, 2008.</ref>

== Guests of Honor ==

* 1 (1990) - ?
* 2 (1991) - ?
* 3 (1992) - ?
* 4 (1993) - ?
* 5 (1994) - ?
* 6 (1995) - ?
* 7 (1996) - ?
* 8 (1997) - ?
* 9 (1998) - ?
* 10 (1999) - ?
* 11 (2000) - ?
* 12 (2001) - ?
* 2002 (13) - ?
* 2003 (14) - ?

== Themes ==

* 1 (1990) - ?
* 2 (1991) - ?
* 3 (1992) - ?
* 4 (1993) - ?
* 5 (1994) - ?
* 6 (1995) - ?
* 7 (1996) - ?
* 8 (1997) - ?
* 9 (1998) - ?
* 10 (1999) - ?
* 11 (2000) - ?
* 12 (2001) - ?
* 2002 (13) - ?
* 2003 (14) - ?

== Attendance ==

The first event was attended by 65 people, and over the years, the attendance gradually grew in attendance until its largest attendance in 1998 at [[ConFurence 9]], in Buena Park, with over 1200 registered for the 4-day event.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Con year
! scope="col" | PreReg
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Attendance
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Sponsors
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Vendors
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Artists
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuiters
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Fursuit parade
! scope="col" | % +/-
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1989
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
| ?
| N/A
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1990
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1991
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1992
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1993
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1994
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1996
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1997
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1998
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 1999
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2000
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2001
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2002
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|-
! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;" | 2003
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
| ?
|
|}

'''?.''' - Data not recorded/not available<br>
'''N/A''' - Data not applicable

== Infographics ==
[[File:ConFurence Attendance.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Visitor Statistics]]

== Controversy ==
{{NPOV}}
As the furry fandom rapidly increased in fans, and with the rise of furry-specific [[MU*]]s, convention attendance rose sharply over the following years. For many, ConFurence would mark their first experience at convention-going.

By [[ConFurence 8]], the general attitude toward ConFurence was that it was a "wild party" and that things got out of control at times. Rumors flew around, depending on who said them and who believed them, of strange and funky occurrences amongst guests{{fact}}. This ranged from two reports of semen found in elevators<ref>[http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/98d6c51938a3b98e?hl=en alt.fan.furry post] by [[Ed Kline]] on Feb. 8, 1997.</ref><ref>[http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/3608cd0e2fbf3ba9?hl=en alt.fan.furry post] by Brad Austin on Dec. 28, 1997.</ref>, guests running about in revealing clothing (one report involved an attendee wearing a Dixie cups in a lewd manner, though [[Gary Burke]] attempted to debunk the report that it was actually a Dixie cup <ref>[http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/1143808507c0919e?hl=en& Friends at CF7] - A post to [[alt.fan.furry]] from [[Gary Burke]]</ref>), wild room parties where increasingly unthinkable acts were occurring{{fact}}, and an increasingly offbeat programming track{{fact}}, including a live "slave" auction, later renamed the [[pet auction]]: a re-creation of a pastime on several [[MUCK]]s such as [[FurryMUCK]] and [[Tapestries]].{{fact}}

Other accusations include the owners' alleged attempts at increasing con attendance by offering "Free memberships to FurryMUCK members". {{fact}} Mark's own words on the subject put a bit of perspective on the issue: "That would be totally stupid! It wouldn't be a practical business move. And yes, ConFurence was a business. I would lose money. Plus, how on earth would I know if it's really them? It's absurd!" {{fact}}

The FurryMUCK rumor was likely started due to a misunderstanding the special badges for online personas that were given out at Confurence 3. As noted in the ConFurence Progress Report #3 in the January 1992 issue of In-Fur-Nation: "FurryMUCK participants (And other virtual/network personalities): Be sure to pick up your 'Hi, I'm Virtually _____' badges at Registration -- If you're daring :>" <ref>[https://confurence.com/1992/01/infurnation-01-1992/#gallery-1/0/InFurNation-1992-01_Page_01.jpg In-Fur-Nation January, 1992]</ref>

== See also ==

* [[W:ConFurence|ConFurence]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[The ConFurence Group]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
* "ConFurence Countdown", an article with thumbnail descriptions of [[CF0]] to [[CF8]], from the [[CF9]] programme book (pp 53-55)
* "The Origins of ConFurence" by [[Rod O'Riley]], an article from the [[CF10]] programme book (pp 41-43)
* [https://confurence.com/2003/04/confurence-2003-conbook/#gallery-1/2/Confurence_2003_Conbook_Page_02.jpg "Fifteen Years is a Good Run"] by [[Darrel Exline]] as printed in the [[ConFurence 2003]] Souvenir Program Book.

== External links ==

* [http://www.polarden.org/confurence/ ConFurence Group Website] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20060219223243/www.polarden.org/confurence/ backup])
* [http://www.confurence.com/ ConFurence Archive]
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20010222074530/http://ranea.org/falf/articles/cf.html Enough Already - Can't we just go to ConFurence and shut up about it?]'' - [[Watts Martin]] on ConFurence at the start of 1998
* {{con resources}}

{{California}}
{{Discontinued Conventions}}
{{Conventions North America}}
[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
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ConFurence