Furry fans flock to Further Confusion 2007
{{byline|date=February 6, 2007|location=[[w:San Jose, California|San Jose]], [[California]]}}
Cell phones, cigarette lighters and [[w:lightstick|glowsticks]] are raised in tribute as ''[[w:Circle of Life|Circle of Life]]'' begins playing. Soon cheers drown out the song as the multicoloured performers appear on stage. A somewhat unusual introduction; but this is no ordinary show, and these are no ordinary attendees. This is [[w:Further Confusion|Further Confusion]], the second largest [[w:furry convention|furry convention]] in the world.
[[File:Further Confusion 2007 spy fursuiters in elevator.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Two fursuiters get with the convention's theme]]
The volunteer organizers have something to cheer about, too; [[Wikipedia:furry fandom|Furry fans]] have gathered from far and wide at the DoubleTree Hotel to indulge their love of [[w:Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphics]], and Further Confusion's 9th year is its largest, with a paid attendance of 2061. Their gains mirror those of [[WikiFur:Midwest FurFest|Midwest FurFest]], a similar convention held in [[w:Schaumburg, Illinois|Schaumburg, Illinois]] which grew 35% last November.

Both events feature art shows and auctions, live puppetry performance, masquerades, variety shows, games and parades, as well as panels that range from science and technology to society, sex and spirituality. Filling out the schedule, the hotel walls are lined with announcements of public and private room parties for separate groups. At night, the disco floor fills with dancing cats, dogs, and dragons.

For some, dressing up plays a large part of the convention - almost 300 brought a full costume. There are few professional mascots here, though, and only one or two of the costumes would be recognized by even the most avid cartoon-watcher. Instead, each act is planned and performed by other attendees, wearing "[[w:Fursuit|fursuits]]" of their own design. Many play off the year's secret-agent theme — "Fur Your Eyes Only".

[[File:Further Confusion 2007 child fursuiter.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Some attendees are very young]]
Other fans seem content to restrict themselves to small accessories — perhaps some combination of paws, ears, or tail. Each fur bears a 3"x2" badge detailing their personal character, or "[[Wikifur:Fursona|fursona]]". Often these characters are better-known than the people who play them.
[[File:GR FC2007 furry cats costumers.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Not all costumes are furry, as shown by these ''[[w:Cats (musical)|Cats]]'' fans]]
It may seem lighthearted, even frivolous, but these conventions are becoming big business. Furry fans spent over $180,000 for lodging during the five days (Jan 18-22) of Further Confusion, and another $50,000 at the art auction.<!--1688 room nights in the main hotel plus 160 in the overflow multiplied by a convention room rate of $89, inc. tax == $98.90]--> Attendees also purchase all manner of merchandise from attending dealers and artists, from on-the-spot art commissions and comic books of all ratings to prints, sculptures, and plush toys - even their very own fluffy tail.

Of course, any business has risk, and conventions can drain wallets when the sums just don't add up. The first furry con, [[w:ConFurence|ConFurence]] in Southern California, ran successfully for over a decade, but cost its new organizer an estimated $60,000 in its last four years due to falling attendance before folding in 2003.

[[w:Anthropomorphic Arts and Education|Anthropomorphic Arts and Education]] board member [[WikiFur:WhiteFire|Peter Torkelson]] says that won't happen to Further Confusion. Indeed, the convention ran a healthy surplus of almost $30,000 on $125,000 revenue last year, allowing it to pay off the last of its old debts and save for the future. As Torkelson explains: "The idea is if for some reason, say an earthquake happens, and it cripples the revenue stream, the convention will be able to survive into the next year. It does help our staff to know that we have [a reserve]."
[[File:DealersDenAnthrocon2006GreenReaper.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Furry fandom attracts businesses to [[w:Anthrocon|Anthrocon]], held in [[Pennsylvania]] since 1999]]
The reserve also gives AAE the financial flexibility to fund charities throughout the year, a big part of its [[w:501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] mandate. Over the nine years of the convention, attendees have raised over $60,000<!--$62940, not counting 2007--> for a variety of [[w:animal sanctuary|animal sanctuaries]], [[w:wildlife refuge|wildlife refuges]], and the [[w:Comic Book Legal Defense Fund|Comic Book Legal Defense Fund]].

Further Confusion's hopes for the future are high. Chairwoman Laura Cherry noted that, unlike previous years, the board has "gone all out" for next year's tenth anniversary, booking as many rooms as the hotel could offer. The host for 2009 has yet to be decided, but for many fans the question was not whether the current hotel will reach a limit, but when - and where - the convention will find a new home.

== Image gallery ==
<div style="clear:left"></div>
<gallery>
File:Further Confusion 2007 coyote blocks variety show.jpg|One entry in the variety show
File:Further Confusion 2007 McCloud under logo.jpg|A [[Wikipedia:Fox McCloud|Fox McCloud]] lookalike under the convention logo
File:Further Confusion 2007 fancy costumers dancing.jpg|Not all costumes are furry
File:Further Confusion 2007 artists drawing.jpg|Artists spend long hours filling commissions
File:Further Confusion 2007 fursuit post-parade photoshoot.jpg|Hundreds of fursuiters gather after the [[WikiFur:fursuit parade|parade]]
File:FurryGamesMidwestFurFest2006GreenReaper.jpg|Furry games at [[WikiFur:Midwest FurFest|Midwest FurFest]]
File:Further Confusion 2007 Iron Artist Lite-Brite challengers.jpg|[[WikiFur:Iron Artist|Iron Artist]] challengers tackle 2007's secret ingredient: [[Wikipedia:Lite-Brite|Lite-Brite]]
File:Further Confusion 2007 notice board.jpg|Many subgroups post flyers on the notice board
</gallery>

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
{{original reporting}}{{interview}}{{FA}}
*{{source|url=http://www.furtherconfusion.org/fc2007/
 |title=Further Confusion 2007 - Latest News
 |author=AAE
 |pub=Anthropomorphic Arts and Education
 |date=February 1, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://duncandahusky.livejournal.com/282536.html
 |title=2006 Midwest FurFest Registration Report
 |author=[[WikiFur:Duncan da Husky|Tom Brady]]
 |pub=LiveJournal
 |date=December 17, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/990.php?ein=770479860&yr=200601&rt=990&t9=A
 |title=2005-6 Form 990 - Return of Organization Exempt from Tax
 |author=AAE
 |pub=Internal Revenue Service
 |date=May 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.anthroarts.org/activities.html
 |title=AAE, Inc. - What we do
 |pub=Anthropomorphic Arts and Education
 |author=AAE
 |date=2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.flayrah.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1472
 |title=Rumor control from Darrel Exline
 |author=[[WikiFur:Darrel Exline|Darrel Exline]]
 |pub=Flayrah.com
 |date=May 1, 2003}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:San Jose, California]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Wackynews]]
[[Category:Mascots]]
[[Category:Santa Clara County, California]]
[[Category:Fan conventions]]
[[Category:Furry conventions]]
Cell phones, cigarette lighters and glowsticks are raised in tribute as Circle of Life begins playing. Soon cheers drown out the song as the multicoloured performers appear on stage. A somewhat unusual introduction; but this is no ordinary show, and these are no ordinary attendees. This is Further Confusion, the second largest furry convention in the world.
Two fursuiters get with the convention's theme
The volunteer organizers have something to cheer about, too; Furry fans have gathered from far and wide at the DoubleTree Hotel to indulge their love of anthropomorphics, and Further Confusion's 9th year is its largest, with a paid attendance of 2061. Their gains mirror those of Midwest FurFest, a similar convention held in Schaumburg, Illinois which grew 35% last November.

Both events feature art shows and auctions, live puppetry performance, masquerades, variety shows, games and parades, as well as panels that range from science and technology to society, sex and spirituality. Filling out the schedule, the hotel walls are lined with announcements of public and private room parties for separate groups. At night, the disco floor fills with dancing cats, dogs, and dragons.

For some, dressing up plays a large part of the convention - almost 300 brought a full costume. There are few professional mascots here, though, and only one or two of the costumes would be recognized by even the most avid cartoon-watcher. Instead, each act is planned and performed by other attendees, wearing "fursuits" of their own design. Many play off the year's secret-agent theme — "Fur Your Eyes Only".

Some attendees are very young
Other fans seem content to restrict themselves to small accessories — perhaps some combination of paws, ears, or tail. Each fur bears a 3"x2" badge detailing their personal character, or "fursona". Often these characters are better-known than the people who play them.
GR FC2007 furry cats costumers.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Not all costumes are furry, as shown by these Cats fans
It may seem lighthearted, even frivolous, but these conventions are becoming big business. Furry fans spent over $180,000 for lodging during the five days (Jan 18-22) of Further Confusion, and another $50,000 at the art auction.<!--1688 room nights in the main hotel plus 160 in the overflow multiplied by a convention room rate of $89, inc. tax
North America United States California San Jose, California Culture and entertainment Wackynews Mascots Santa Clara County, California Fan conventions Furry conventions