MiDFur MFXII - Overview

Convention Overview

Ladies and gentlemen, in the month of December 2009, two hundred and forty-seven furries gathered to celebrate anthropomorphism, community and awesome fun times. We partied for four days, we made the fourth page of Australia’s most revered newspaper, we raised over $5000 for charity and, most importantly, we drank, we danced, we met new friends, saw old ones and remembered just why we’re a part of this fandom called furry in the first place.

So, let’s do it all again this year. At last, we are happy to say that the registrations for MiDFur 12: Heroes And Villains are now open!

MiDFur is Australia’s premiere furry convention held every year in Melbourne, Victoria. In 2010, MiDFur will run all day for four days, with the convention space taking up two whole levels. Each night ends with massive party events, special surprises, and a few old favourites from MiDFurs of past. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to meet over 250 furries from all around Australia and overseas.

MIDFUR, HEROES AND VILLANS. RYDGES ON SWANSTON. MELBOUNRE, AUSTRALIA. 2010.

The Key Details are...

WHAT: MiDFur 12: Heroes And Villains (A furry convention!)
WHEN: December 2nd to 5th, 2010
WHERE: Rydges On Swanston (701 Swanston Street, Carlton)
WEBSITE: www.midfur.com.au (going LIVE, Monday March15, at 9pm)

MiDFur is on the verge of opening up registrations, complete with a new website and trailer. But rather than make you wait, we want to release the details of this year’s convention right now.

Guests of Honour

MiDFur 2010 is proud to announce the following Guests of Honour.

Stan Sakai

Stan Sakai is the artist and writer of Usagi Yojimbo, an anthromorphic comic series that has been running for over two decades and won three Eisner awards and six Ursa Major awards. The lead character, a wandering rabbit ronin called Miyamoto Usagi has also made several appearances with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in both the comics and animated TV series.

Website: http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/

Big Blue Fox

Big Blue Fox is a German furry who has been in charge of video productions at Eurofurence since 2004 and has also produced short videos with the Funday Pawpet Show. He’s an artist, fursuiter and talented DJ who has played at Anthrocon, Further Confusion and Confuzzled.

Website: http://www.bigbluefox.de/

Registration

Registration is now open!

$145 – EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is just like Standard Registration. You get access to the convention for all four days and gives access to almost all of the events, panels and parties. But because you’ve been awesome and registered early – you get a discount. This offer closes on the 1st of July, 2010.

$160 - STANDARD REGISTRATION gives you access to the convention for all four days and gives access to almost all of the events, panels and parties.

$200 – HERO REGISTRATION gives you access to everything standard registration gives you, plus a little more:
- Limited edition T-shirt
- Priority seating at the front rows for events
- Private meet and greet with the guests of honour

$275- SUPER HERO REGISTRATION also gives you access to all of the above, plus even more:

- Limited edition T-shirt
- Your choice of a Hero shield dog tag or Villain shield dog tag.

- Priority seating at the front rows for events
- Private meet and greet with the guests of honour
- Gourmet BBQ dinner on Saturday night

It goes without saying that MiDFur relies on the support of the furry community to run. We have to admit finances got awfully tight with a large number payments not coming in until the last few weeks before the event. In order to have things run smoother this year we’re putting in place the following guidelines:

- A $50 deposit is required within 24 hours of registering

- Full payment must be made within 60 days of registering. If after 60 days you have not paid, the deposit is forfeited.
- You’ll be given a payment number for use as a reference when paying. After you’ve paid for your registration then you’ll receive your MiDFur registration number.

Registration Deals:

In 2010, we have focussed on providing a quality convention and great opportunities for you to make the most of it. As such, we have two brand new offers available to you right now! Firstly, the Bring A Mate deal and secondly, the release of two limited edition T-shirts available to those who register and pay before July 1st.

BRING A MATE means that if you invite who has never been to a MiDFur convention before, you’ll receive $5 off your registration cost. All you need to is make sure to tell them list you as having invited them when they register for MiDFur. Notice we said “never been to a MiDFur convention,” so you can invite someone who has been to MiDFur in the furmeet days from 2007 and earlier.

AN EXCLUSIVE T-shirt IS ON SALE only for those who pay their registration in full before July 1st, 2010. You’ll notice when you register you get given the option to be a Villain or a Hero. And before you ask... No, you can't be a hero AND a villain. This deal is available as a once off deal. Depending on which one you pick will determine which shirt design you get. So if you’ve payed your registration in time, a purchase offer will be emailed to you after July 1st, 2010.

Venue & Accomodation

This year’s MiDFur is being held at Rydges On Swanston (701 Swanston Street, Carlton), which is a short walk or an even shorter tram ride from Melbourne Central Station.

The massive convention area spans two levels with nine conference rooms which means a bigger dealers den, bigger panel rooms and a massive lounge area. Not to mention the pool and deck area on the roof. It’s four and a half star accommodation and it looks amazing.

Our relationship with the hotel has gotten off to a great start with the hotel General Manager indicating a desire to try on a fursuit and attend MiDFur. Also, there are no restrictions on wearing collars, fursuits and tails pretty much anywhere around the venue. (Other than common sense restrictions such as making sure you’re wearing pants.)

As always we’ve arranged a special rate for MiDFur attendees which, depending on the room you get and with how many people, you can be paying as little as $40 per person per night. (That’s for four people in a Twin Share room or five people in a Triple Share room.)

(1x Queen bed)
for 1 person - $160 | for 2 - $160 people | for 3 people - $200

(2 x Queen bed)
for 2 people - $170 | for 3 people - $210 | for 4 people - $250

(1x King bed)
for 1 person - $180 | for 2 people - $220

(1x Queen bed)
for 1 person - $220 | for 2 people - $220

We have a dedicated Rydges website where you can make your hotel booking here: http://www.rydges.com/cwp/midfur10

PLEASE NOTE that if you do intend to stay at Rydges On Swanston that the hotel can only hold rooms for us for a limited time due to high demand, so book sooner rather than later. If we get onto this now we can book out the hotel! With 110 rooms in the hotel, the possibility of booking out an entire hotel in only our 3rd year is in your hands!

Catering at Rydges

Rydges On Swanston are providing the option for catering on the Saturday and Sunday night. For $35 per person, you get hot and cold dishes, drinks, desert and there’s vegetarian options included. For full details, please see the Catering page under MiDFur Hotel on the menu at the left hand side of the website.

(Please note that this is completely separate from the Saturday night gourmet BBQ available for Super Hero attendees.)

To order, please email function_carlton(at)rydges.com and include in your message your name and which option(s) you’d like and Rydges staff will sort out the rest.

Events

As a four day convention held from Thursday to Sunday that runs until midnight each day, MiDFur is set to be packed full of things to do. In addition to the dealers den, panel rooms and opportunities for mingling and meeting hundreds of fellow furries, MiDFur finishes each night with a huge party event complete with a bar and DJs. Let’s not forget the special events such as FRIDAY NIGHT WILD!, hosted by Australia’s own internet personalities, ACTFur On Air and the madness of the charity auction, which last year raised $5705 for the Lort Smith Animal Hospital.

Charity

We are proud to say that The Lost Dogs Home is this year's MiDFur charity who will be receiving the entirety of the funds raised at the annual charity auction. Originally founded in 1910, today The Lost Dogs Home cares for over 20,000 every year and is Australia’s largest animal shelter. By providing shelter, veterinary services, adoption and re-homing services they care for cats and dogs who are lost, abandoned, suffered human or environmental injury or otherwise just needed help. They also take a proactive stance on the treatment of animals, from providing knowledge through school talks, responsible pet ownership and animal training courses and lobbying for fair laws that support animal welfare.

Website: http://www.dogshome.com/

Midfur, Heroes and Villains