Hello members of the Las Vegas Fur Con community!
We’ve been hard at work preparing our third year, and as with year two, we are hoping to improve the Attendee experience with it.
If you were with us Year One, you may remember our venue rules require we have ID checks to access the Dealers Dens and any space with a bar. While our con is 21+, badges are not adequate proof of age. Regardless, many attendees disliked the ID checkpoints, so we made it a top priority to remedy them Year Two.
Come Year Two, we experimented with Tyvek wristbands that could be used to minimize ID checks. Overall, the wristbands were a success in this regard, but there was still room for improvement: we did not adequately staff the security desk (this is on us and not our security partners), leading to congested lines; the desk had to be relocated three times throughout the weekend due to crowding; and we did not communicate that security expected attendees to wear wristbands at any time the wristband desk was open.
For Year Three, we are on track for solid growth and we needed to find a solution to improve the attende experience. The solution we came to is to rollout wristbands that serve as proof of attendance and age; working with our security partners, we can have all attendees have a single wristband for the weekend that minimizes need for ID checks, reduces registration pickup times, and ensures only community members enter our spaces. These wristbands will replace the convention-issued badges.
We understand wristbands raise several concerns, particularly since we will be using cloth wristbands without RFID/NFC technology.
Concern 1. Wristbands without chips fall hardest on our fursuiters without detachable paws. We are already taking steps to implement NFC/RFID wristbands for Year Four. For LVFC 2025, fursuiters without detachable paws can take off their heads and opt for an ID check at ID checkpoints.
Concern 2. Wristbands can pose an accessibility issue for some attendees. We are working with our Accessibility team and security to devise solutions to accommodate attendees who cannot wear wristbands so they can do an ID check instead.
Concern 3. Wristbands lack the customization of printed badges. We will offer printed Attendee badges at our Con Store, with proceeds going to our charity partners at Las Vegas Gender Diverse Trans Pride Center. Staff, Vendors, and Sponsor+ attendees will be able to pick up badges without charge; full details on pickup will be provided later. As a reminder, these badges which are purchased are decorative and not valid for entry.
Concern 4. Wristbands can tighten. We are aiming to use wristbands that do not tighten, and have an agreement with security that wristbands can be replaced so long as the original is cut and confiscated.
This is not an exhaustive list of issues that can arise from widespread wristband use. However, we value Attendee feedback and will work to improve upon issues each following year.
We appreciate everyone who has supported LVFC, and we hope to see you all in April!
Viva Paws Vegas,
Tani
Chair