Rex Riteski @Home 🔜 CFz, WAM, FM
@kingerriteski.bsky.social
Purple fursuiter from Minneapolis, MN!
He has a lot of memories with me, but he could start a brand new journey with someone else too!
Let me know if you are interested!
I was about 6 foot tall at the time I wore him and 170 to 190 lbs.
Let me know if you are interested!
I was about 6 foot tall at the time I wore him and 170 to 190 lbs.
October 8, 2025 at 10:35 PM
He has a lot of memories with me, but he could start a brand new journey with someone else too!
Let me know if you are interested!
I was about 6 foot tall at the time I wore him and 170 to 190 lbs.
Let me know if you are interested!
I was about 6 foot tall at the time I wore him and 170 to 190 lbs.
You let me know if you need help :P
October 5, 2025 at 1:24 PM
You let me know if you need help :P
Characters like Telephone that have changed how the convention happens with their ability to "come alive" are notable features of our community and in many ways some feel like they can do more in suit than they ever could outside of it.
Embracing and rewarding these risks is also important imo 💜
Embracing and rewarding these risks is also important imo 💜
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Characters like Telephone that have changed how the convention happens with their ability to "come alive" are notable features of our community and in many ways some feel like they can do more in suit than they ever could outside of it.
Embracing and rewarding these risks is also important imo 💜
Embracing and rewarding these risks is also important imo 💜
By this I mean... where is the "iron fursuit" or perhaps the "best aligned to theme fursuit" or "best acting in fursuit or character".
I need not discount that such is difficult, but as a strong fursuiting performance advocate, I feel that we are left out of the conversation too.
I need not discount that such is difficult, but as a strong fursuiting performance advocate, I feel that we are left out of the conversation too.
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
By this I mean... where is the "iron fursuit" or perhaps the "best aligned to theme fursuit" or "best acting in fursuit or character".
I need not discount that such is difficult, but as a strong fursuiting performance advocate, I feel that we are left out of the conversation too.
I need not discount that such is difficult, but as a strong fursuiting performance advocate, I feel that we are left out of the conversation too.
As a con chair I appreciate your efforts to balance the needs of attendees of all backgrounds and support to ensure we all feel included in the con experience.
THANK YOU
Though to advance us, perhaps a chat about offering recognition for the performing arts like we do for drawing and writing?
THANK YOU
Though to advance us, perhaps a chat about offering recognition for the performing arts like we do for drawing and writing?
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
As a con chair I appreciate your efforts to balance the needs of attendees of all backgrounds and support to ensure we all feel included in the con experience.
THANK YOU
Though to advance us, perhaps a chat about offering recognition for the performing arts like we do for drawing and writing?
THANK YOU
Though to advance us, perhaps a chat about offering recognition for the performing arts like we do for drawing and writing?
However, I also believe that there is still a great audience of suiters who have been performing in suit for 10+ years that fail to benefit from recurring and limited panels like fursuiting 101. As such there are frequently opportunities for those seeking drawing 201, 301, or writing 201, 301, etc.
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
However, I also believe that there is still a great audience of suiters who have been performing in suit for 10+ years that fail to benefit from recurring and limited panels like fursuiting 101. As such there are frequently opportunities for those seeking drawing 201, 301, or writing 201, 301, etc.
I believe we have long lasting differing opinions on fursuitings' role within the community. I concur there are undeniable facts that fursuits can be perceived as a financial barrier to some... and in a world where inclusivity is important, we should strive to not let such preventive measures exist.
September 11, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I believe we have long lasting differing opinions on fursuitings' role within the community. I concur there are undeniable facts that fursuits can be perceived as a financial barrier to some... and in a world where inclusivity is important, we should strive to not let such preventive measures exist.
You needed purple, what can I say?
September 9, 2025 at 1:32 AM
You needed purple, what can I say?
Afterall, to be disgruntled or upset with how your community is one thing... voicing how it could be improved is another and can bring positive modifications and ease the issues others may experience so that the eventual product or service have less holes than the last time it was pushed out.
September 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Afterall, to be disgruntled or upset with how your community is one thing... voicing how it could be improved is another and can bring positive modifications and ease the issues others may experience so that the eventual product or service have less holes than the last time it was pushed out.
However, I also feel that having been a long-attending member offers me a degree of credibility and responsibility in asking for the change that I desire, not that it is guaranteed to happen, but to ensure that the delivery is in a constructive way that benefits all involved.
September 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
However, I also feel that having been a long-attending member offers me a degree of credibility and responsibility in asking for the change that I desire, not that it is guaranteed to happen, but to ensure that the delivery is in a constructive way that benefits all involved.
While I may seem to be upset with FM and where it is going, I understand that change starts with people speaking up and providing their opinions and insights. Throughout my posts I aimed to not only add criticism, but also proposed solutions as I want both the org and con to grow.
September 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
While I may seem to be upset with FM and where it is going, I understand that change starts with people speaking up and providing their opinions and insights. Throughout my posts I aimed to not only add criticism, but also proposed solutions as I want both the org and con to grow.
Over time, I think it is invaluable to reflect on where things are at in your own community. Ask questions that are difficult to answer and grow together.
There are countless life lessons both the org and con have taught me throughout my adult years, many more to still learn too.
There are countless life lessons both the org and con have taught me throughout my adult years, many more to still learn too.
September 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Over time, I think it is invaluable to reflect on where things are at in your own community. Ask questions that are difficult to answer and grow together.
There are countless life lessons both the org and con have taught me throughout my adult years, many more to still learn too.
There are countless life lessons both the org and con have taught me throughout my adult years, many more to still learn too.
I believe there are benefits to both "keep things smaller and more controlled for a chilled experience" versus the "grow grow grow" mindset. Of which the "grow" is often shared during closing ceremonies at FM.
Perfecting the "small con experience with big con perks" should be a discussion.
Perfecting the "small con experience with big con perks" should be a discussion.
September 8, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I believe there are benefits to both "keep things smaller and more controlled for a chilled experience" versus the "grow grow grow" mindset. Of which the "grow" is often shared during closing ceremonies at FM.
Perfecting the "small con experience with big con perks" should be a discussion.
Perfecting the "small con experience with big con perks" should be a discussion.
However, I think that leadership of the con consistently push the desire to grow, working against these benefits of having lower attendance numbers.
To recenter the purpose of this post, I hope to encourage a larger discussion on finding what FM wants to be longer term.
To recenter the purpose of this post, I hope to encourage a larger discussion on finding what FM wants to be longer term.
September 8, 2025 at 11:40 PM
However, I think that leadership of the con consistently push the desire to grow, working against these benefits of having lower attendance numbers.
To recenter the purpose of this post, I hope to encourage a larger discussion on finding what FM wants to be longer term.
To recenter the purpose of this post, I hope to encourage a larger discussion on finding what FM wants to be longer term.
I appreciate that perspective and concur that I like smaller cons myself where I don't feel like a consumer...
I actively don't want it flooded with excess amounts of people and the fact that there is barely any wait with elevators is a blessing in disguise every year.
I actively don't want it flooded with excess amounts of people and the fact that there is barely any wait with elevators is a blessing in disguise every year.
September 8, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I appreciate that perspective and concur that I like smaller cons myself where I don't feel like a consumer...
I actively don't want it flooded with excess amounts of people and the fact that there is barely any wait with elevators is a blessing in disguise every year.
I actively don't want it flooded with excess amounts of people and the fact that there is barely any wait with elevators is a blessing in disguise every year.
Gemini - Analyzing Furry Convention Growth Trends
Created with Gemini
g.co
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Action Items
Evaluate the strategic direction of the convention for the following:
Is the leadership team adequate?
Is the initial premise of the convention being maintained?
Is the magic attracting new visitors to the convention?
Are we listening to the right set of feedback in post-surveys?
Evaluate the strategic direction of the convention for the following:
Is the leadership team adequate?
Is the initial premise of the convention being maintained?
Is the magic attracting new visitors to the convention?
Are we listening to the right set of feedback in post-surveys?
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Action Items
Evaluate the strategic direction of the convention for the following:
Is the leadership team adequate?
Is the initial premise of the convention being maintained?
Is the magic attracting new visitors to the convention?
Are we listening to the right set of feedback in post-surveys?
Evaluate the strategic direction of the convention for the following:
Is the leadership team adequate?
Is the initial premise of the convention being maintained?
Is the magic attracting new visitors to the convention?
Are we listening to the right set of feedback in post-surveys?
Conclusion
A side-by-side comparison of the actual and projected attendance numbers reveals a widening gap over time, by '19, a difference of 132 short, by '24, a difference of 770, and by '25, a difference of 775.
That means we are missing approximately 21.7% of the projected 2025 attendance.
A side-by-side comparison of the actual and projected attendance numbers reveals a widening gap over time, by '19, a difference of 132 short, by '24, a difference of 770, and by '25, a difference of 775.
That means we are missing approximately 21.7% of the projected 2025 attendance.
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Conclusion
A side-by-side comparison of the actual and projected attendance numbers reveals a widening gap over time, by '19, a difference of 132 short, by '24, a difference of 770, and by '25, a difference of 775.
That means we are missing approximately 21.7% of the projected 2025 attendance.
A side-by-side comparison of the actual and projected attendance numbers reveals a widening gap over time, by '19, a difference of 132 short, by '24, a difference of 770, and by '25, a difference of 775.
That means we are missing approximately 21.7% of the projected 2025 attendance.
Analysis Against Other Cons
FM is extremely far behind in terms of it's longevity and fails to keep up the growth that other cons have.
Interactive Graph: g.co/gemini/share...
FM is extremely far behind in terms of it's longevity and fails to keep up the growth that other cons have.
Interactive Graph: g.co/gemini/share...
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Analysis Against Other Cons
FM is extremely far behind in terms of it's longevity and fails to keep up the growth that other cons have.
Interactive Graph: g.co/gemini/share...
FM is extremely far behind in terms of it's longevity and fails to keep up the growth that other cons have.
Interactive Graph: g.co/gemini/share...
Analysis
I provided Gemini all of the attendance data that was posted on wikifur (the first in each January) and it identified FM as being most similar to the average annual growth rate for Furry Fiesta, Biggest Little Fur Con, and Megaplex over a five-year period (2014-2019), approximately 18.7%.
I provided Gemini all of the attendance data that was posted on wikifur (the first in each January) and it identified FM as being most similar to the average annual growth rate for Furry Fiesta, Biggest Little Fur Con, and Megaplex over a five-year period (2014-2019), approximately 18.7%.
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Analysis
I provided Gemini all of the attendance data that was posted on wikifur (the first in each January) and it identified FM as being most similar to the average annual growth rate for Furry Fiesta, Biggest Little Fur Con, and Megaplex over a five-year period (2014-2019), approximately 18.7%.
I provided Gemini all of the attendance data that was posted on wikifur (the first in each January) and it identified FM as being most similar to the average annual growth rate for Furry Fiesta, Biggest Little Fur Con, and Megaplex over a five-year period (2014-2019), approximately 18.7%.
Summary of Findings
FM has experienced consistent attendance growth since its founding, but when compared to the growth of other conventions, FM's growth is noticeably slower to other conventions of a comparable size and age.
FM has experienced consistent attendance growth since its founding, but when compared to the growth of other conventions, FM's growth is noticeably slower to other conventions of a comparable size and age.
September 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Summary of Findings
FM has experienced consistent attendance growth since its founding, but when compared to the growth of other conventions, FM's growth is noticeably slower to other conventions of a comparable size and age.
FM has experienced consistent attendance growth since its founding, but when compared to the growth of other conventions, FM's growth is noticeably slower to other conventions of a comparable size and age.