convention convention con fur con formal gathering members people interested concept fictional non human characters human characteristics conventions provide place fans meet exchange ideas business engage entertainment recreation centered concept originating california usa mid-1980s annual conventions worldwide north_america europe largest convention held year pittsburgh pennsylvania conventions offer range volunteer led programming usually focusing anthropomorphic art crafts music literature raise money charity attendees dress wear artistic identification majority bring spend money work amateur professional artists directly auction origin growth conventions started parties popular science fiction conventions time parties split conventions starting attendance conventions growing number conventions total attendance conventions maximum size single convention doubling period conventions start groups local fans meet regular location scheduled basis local community grows groups events attract dealer attention significant fan activity recognized fully fledged conventions conventions spring wake discontinued events example founded following final order convention founded hosted event activities convention programming includes presentations panels workshops anthropomorphic culture literature fiction art science technology spirituality convention provide space stand comedy routines like music kinds gaming sessions numerous performing arts events theme common larger events conventions feature kind art artists work displayed direct purchase auction convention dealers den art comic book distributors merchants sell fee artists alley individual artists given space fee token fee usually condition sell work artists trade art erotic art typically allowed kept separate pieces shown adult attendees conventions rated strictly individual transactions relatively small usually sketches auction pieces total approach largest events excluding professional dealers major conventions tend rave evening friendly dance prior main event raised lighting slower music offset reduced vision mobility use illuminated popular lights convention opportunity private parties common conventions significant numbers offer event known games races focus feats suited multiple players teams dragging filled toys marked track racing forth conventions established charity usually raise thousand dollars convention yearly charity typically wildlife refuge nature reserve animal shelter sanctuary rescue group organizers donate convention funds total conventions raised charity confusion raising history attendees attendees include artists dealers offering products services sale fans wish buy come programming meet friends fans general attend reasons later publish con report detailing experiences attendees major conventions receive bag convention book illustrated volume featuring themed artwork fiction articles submitted members guests honor description event programming staff rules guests charity supported convention local restaurant information combination pocket schedule map included sponsors receive additional items shirts faster registration badge pick site meals conventions provide con suite basic members displayed prominently convention publications fans wear partial costume express identity entertain typically attendees bring costume wear time wear accessories ears tail particularly outside main convention area nearly wear custom convention featuring depiction anthropomorphic persona attached providing indicator social status notice affiliation sponsorship convention sales accessories form commerce conventions attendees age majority commonly allowed attend parental permission slip accompanied adult exception admitting attendees usually given distinctive badge allow staff dealers restrict access mature content government issued photo usually required organization conventions run staffed volunteers venues require certain activities contracted event funding typically relies convention larger conventions incorporated non profit organizations usually achieve tax exempt status safeguard organizers personal assets charities registered recreational clubs largest events require volunteers including volunteers thanked participation closing ceremonies usually attended receive shirts benefits timing duration conventions place weekend events scheduled friday evening sunday afternoon saturday typically busiest day fans return home sunday day passes sold reduced price reasons include fans vacation work study attend event held work week transportation costs lower weekend travelers hotels business travelers weekend making easier reserve block rooms secure space programming reduced price fans students little income hotel convention fees important factors given convention expands growth years increased demand programming results events scheduled late night convention activities extended thursday early friday early arrivals unofficial activities frequently coordinated groups people sunday evening monday morning usually open wishes join include bowling bar visits arcades shopping theme parks dinner morning media public perception small avoiding media coverage conventions increasingly topic attention news mass media commercial appeal covered september years later piece october episode csi featured fictional convention held las_vegas reactions varied episode spent time covering november wrote short article took look corner news auburn alabama covered rocket city newspapers invited attend including printed preview extensive review local television station showed chairman gave short television interview outside convention hotel similar coverage montreal gazette covered received extensive coverage regional newspapers undercover reporter attended published findings suspected gas attack december resulted nineteen midwest attendees sent hospital morning joe host walk set laughter public popularized csi episode fur conventions places people dress animals perform sexual acts article vanity_fair described hotel guests stunned calling convention blatant terms personnel present convention described attendees little unusual people problems considered event nice bring kids
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