Messages

31

Announcements / Fursuit Conbadge registration open!

« on: April 24, 2013, 09:14:04 »

As you know, everyone who attends the convention will get a conbadge to help identify you to others and lets you proudly show you're a fully paid up attendee!  You can customise your badge by logging into the registration system and uploading your own picture on the main dashboard!

Want a badge for your fursuit too?  Read on!

A fursuit badge can be a great way to help others figure out 'it was you!' when they  meet you out of suit!  It can also be a fun extra badge to keep your fursuits 'identity' on display whenever you feel like it!  You don't have to have one, and you don't need one to wear a fursuit at ConFuzzled, it's just a fun extra!

Every fursuiter can receive one FREE fursuit badge!  To apply, just follow this link: https://reg.confuzzled.org.uk/fursuit-badges/upload.php

You can apply for additional badges at £2 each (Cash-on-collection).  Keep in mind the image you upload for the badge must be of your fursuit, must be PG-13, and must be no larger than 4MB (all images will be resized to fit 300x300).

Also, make sure you double-check the image in the preview after uploading, we will be printing the cards in one session, and if there is a problem we won't be able to contact you to resolve the issue.

To collect your badge, be sure to pick it up when you register at the convention!

Finally. Remember that a fursuit badge is not an alternative to wearing your conbadge - be sure to wear your conbadge when suiting at the convention!

32

Announcements / ID Requirement

« on: April 16, 2013, 11:43:47 »

With the convention around 6 weeks away, we wanted to make sure you’re all ready for the convention!

One of the most important things to remember to bring with you to the convention is photographic ID, clearly stating your date of birth.  This is a requirement to attend ConFuzzled, and no exceptions can be made to this rule.  Acceptable forms of ID include a Passport, Driving Licence, Young Persons Railcard/Coachcard, National ID Card, International Student Identity Card, or any cards bearing the Home Office PASS mark.

If you are unsure whether your form of ID is acceptable or not, then please email registration@confuzzled.org.uk well in advance of the convention, for confirmation as to its acceptance.

If you do not currently have a form of ID that is suitable, then you need to arrange this well in advance. You can find a number of accepted card providers here: http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk/for-young-people/national-card-suppliers/. Please sign up for your card well in advance - remember that if there is a problem with your application, you have to allow time for this to be corrected.

Stay tuned for more tips on getting ready for the convention!

33

Announcements / Party Suite Price Drop!

« on: March 26, 2013, 22:07:21 »

GOOD NEWS!

Due to a new agreement with the hotel, we're able to bring down the pricing of our party suites from £80 per night, to £50 per night!  BOOK NOW!  Even better, all the money we raise from party suite sales is now going to charity!!

Friday and Saturday nights are sold out, but all other convention nights (Wednesday - Monday) have availability!  Private parties can help add a touch of something really different to the convention experience, not just for you, but for everyone who attends.  We build a great event schedule - but by throwing a private party, you can take the atmosphere of the convention to a whole new level, by running whatever event you want, and inviting whoever you like!

If you've already booked a party suite at the previous price - you'll be receiving a refund for the difference (watch your email for notification and details soon)!  That's right, you'll get £30 back, which should help pay for party supplies!

34

Discussion / Re: Pet Passports???

« on: March 26, 2013, 17:20:58 »

Quick update on this topic.

As previously mentioned, we'd like to update people on how many pet passports have been sold.

The Grand Total is: 1

Hope that helps
--
Rallicat
ConFuzzled Communications.

35

Announcements / ConFuzzled Volunteer Signup Drive!

« on: March 14, 2013, 09:36:43 »

Skip straight to volunteer signup forum HERE!
 
Want to help out? Think you’ve got what it takes to help us setup the convention? Prepare for events? Maybe you’d like to help out the convention operations team, or volunteer for security?

ConFuzzled can’t happen without our hugely valued volunteer & security team, and if you’d like to apply, read on!

First, remember that as a volunteer, you’re putting your name forward to devote a bit of your time working at the convention. How much time is up to you, and you can choose which days you’d like to make yourself available, and which timeslots. You can even choose any particular events you don’t want to miss (our draft event timetable can be found here)

You don’t necessarily need any special skills to volunteer – in many cases we just need people to lift and carry and maybe put a few things together. If you do have particular areas of experience though, there’s a space on the form to tell us about that, and we’ll find a way to make the best use of you! Finally, if volunteering for security, understand that you’re taking on a position of responsibility, and there is some extra information you might want to read from our head of security here on our forums.

If you’d like to fill out the form to put your name forward, click here!

36

Discussion / Re: Pet Passports???

« on: March 05, 2013, 00:05:16 »

The policy has now been reviewed and we are no longer offering the cat policy.  I can assure you though that our venue liaison is a very diligent and hard working individual.  If he says the hotel allows cats, then you can take his word for it!

As for the specific issues you raise about health and behaviour;

For health, we will investigate whether this is feasible, however as with any check, it is a 'snapshot', and does not give an absolute guarantee that the animal will be healthy 'on the day'.

Animal behaviour is unlikely to be a problem, we have put in place a heavy disclaimer for a reason, not just to cover ourselves, but to also impress upon the owner their responsibilities (although it should be noted that to suggest to the average furry dog owner that they aren't responsible would probably be taken as something of a serious insult!).  We have looked toward other conventions such as Eurofurence where animals have been successfully brought (although it should be noted not in any great number) for many years without incident and do not feel that there is a risk to the public.  Dog owners typically know how their dogs react in crowds, or in stressful or new situations, and know how to handle them.

We will of course constantly review this particular policy, but we're confident -based on the experience of other conventions- that there will be no risk to our attendees.

37

Announcements / Re: Party Suite Registration is now LIVE!!!

« on: March 04, 2013, 17:19:35 »

They do fill up fast!  the 'core' convention days are the most popular - there is a waiting list if you'd still like to try.

38

Announcements / Party Suite Registration is now LIVE!!!

« on: March 01, 2013, 20:07:47 »

Want a party suite?  You can register for one here: http://2013.confuzzled.org.uk/2013/03/party-suite-registration-is-now-available/ GO GO GO!!!

39

Announcements / Shuttle Bus Services

« on: February 21, 2013, 21:48:46 »

ConFuzzled is pleased to announce our courtesy Shuttle Bus services for Air and Rail transfer and for overflow hotel travel!

We've been working hard behind the scenes to make transport easier, and we can now announce our two shuttle services.
Firstly, we've got a shuttle service running for Air and Rail transfer, operating a transfer service from Birmingham International Airport, and heading to the hotel via Nuneaton train station.  A service will operate on both the early arrival day, and the first day of the convention, and  there will be a return transfer for the last day of the convention and the late departure day!  For all the details including terms and conditions see the full details here!

We also have arranged travel between the overflow hotel and the main venue.  You'll be able to use the shuttle service to get to the main venue in the morning, and then back again late in the evening, meaning you can be at the convention for a full day, dances included!  For all the details and terms and conditions, see the information online here!

We hope this information helps you better plan your travel to the convention this year, and that it makes life a little easier for you!  If you have any questions, please hop over to our forums, or drop us a line via Twitter!

40

Announcements / Party Suites; Booking Opens Soon!

« on: February 16, 2013, 14:37:30 »

As you know, in our wonderful venue of the Hinckley Island Hotel, we have a number of party suitesthat you can rent for one night so you can throw your own big room party for you & your friends! It’s a great way to add something unique to your convention experience, and with the convention an extra day long this year, that means there are extra opportunities for booking a night!

Party suite registration will open on 1st March at 8PM (UK Time). All the details of our party suites are available online here, but here are a few things to remember;

• The boking is £80 for a party suite.
• You may book a party suite for one night, limited to one booking per attendee.
• Registration will be via a dedicated form which will go live on 1st March at 8PM UK Time.
• There will be four party suites for each night of the convention, including early arrival and late departure days (so, 24 slots available!)
• It’s open to hotel residents only, and you must have a fully paid up and confirmed registration.
  
• Read carefully the terms and conditionsfor the party suites, which apply in addition to the normal conditions of sale!
  

When you fill out the form, you’ll have an opportunity to express your first and second preference for your booking night, and we’ll offer alternatives if neither of your choices are available. (remember, it’s first come, first served!).

If you have any questions, please contact us via the forums, or on twitter!

41

Announcements / Re: CF Hotel: SOLD OUT, Other Options & Overflow Hotel!!

« on: February 08, 2013, 21:17:01 »

It would.change to a price of £250 per person

42

Announcements / CF Hotel: SOLD OUT, Other Options & Overflow Hotel!!

« on: February 05, 2013, 21:39:25 »

Since our last announcement that room availability was getting low, and we moved into manual clearing, our registration team have been working super hard, and we are now officially sold out of all our standard room spaces.  See below our options for the waiting list, camp-beds and most importantly; OVERFLOW HOTEL!

We know some of you have had to wait a long time, and there are many of you who will have registered, waited, and we're now not able to offer you a space.  We're really sorry for any inconvenience caused, but we do have some solutions for you below.

If you have registered in the last few days, you will typically find yourself on the waiting list, and may only get a space subject to cancellations or other changes that result in a room re-allocation.

So, what are the options now?  Well, you can either wait on the waiting list, choose our camp bed options, or book yourself a room in the overflow hotel.

WAITING LIST

If you have registered recently, and have not been put into a room, you should receive an email to tell you that you are on our waiting list (if you have not received anything, please contact registration 'at' confuzzled.org.uk to ask for an update).

You could choose to stay on our waiting list, and depending on what happens, you might be able to get into a room space, however at this stage we should advise that it is extremely unlikely that all the people on our waiting list will get a room.

If you're on the waiting list, you might want to instead plump for one of the following two alternatives (whatever you decide to do - make sure you tell us by contacting registration 'at' confuzzled.org.uk)

CAMP BED OPTION

There is one final way that you can get a space in the hotel - a camp bed.  Similar to how our 'five person' room is a twin-double plus a camp bed, we are now able to release the remaining camp beds for all our other room types.  So, how does this work?  Follow these simple steps!:  

•Find -and club together with- people already in a confirmed room-share, and agree with them to add the camp bed.
•Go ahead and register as 'attending only' (if you have already registered under a different room type and are on the waiting list; you don't need to change your room selection).
•Contact registration (registration 'at' confuzzled.org.uk) with the details of at least one person already in the room share (please include registration number), asking to be added as a camp bed occupant.  Registration will then tell you the cost of adding the camp-bed to the room.  If reductions are involved in increasing the occupancy of the room, then these will be passed entirely to the new occupant.
•Registration will do the rest, and will contact the other room-share occupants for confirmation. However, if you can get the other occupants to email ahead of time with YOUR registration helpdesk ticket number in the subject line, it will considerably speed up the process.
•When registration have confirmed everything, you will be asked to pay.
•Once payment has been received, your registration will be confirmed, and the new room-share will be complete.  

Note, only one camp bed can be allocated per room (so, five person rooms already have a camp bed and so don't qualify), and it MUST be an official hotel camp bed (you cannot bring your own).

OVERFLOW HOTEL

We are delighted to announce our overflow hotel!

The Hilton Leicester Hotel is located just 10 minutes away by road, and is offering rooms at a discounted rate for ConFuzzled attendees!  The Hotel is located at 21 Junction Approach. Leicester, LE19 1WQ

To book a room, please follow this link to their special booking portal for ConFuzzled (please follow this link to book, as it is the ONLY way you can secure a room at the discounted rate!).

IMPORTANT:  Booking a room at the overflow hotel does NOT constitute a ConFuzzled registration you MUST ALSO register for the convention as 'attending only'

The very attractive room rates are as follows:

• £55 for a guest double per night, based on one person occupancy
• £60 for a guest double per night, based on two people sharing

The booking system automatically defaults to the main dates of the convention, but you can also extend those dates to a day either side if you'd like the equivalent of 'early arrival' or 'late departure' or both! (if you select dates even further outside of this, the discount automatically drops off).

Take note, unlike with our main venue, you are making an accommodation arrangement directly with the Hilton Leicester Hotel, not with ConFuzzled.  The Hilton's standard terms and conditions apply.  Understand that when you make your booking, you are booking the ENTIRE room - others you wish to share with therefore do NOT need to make their own bookings.

The Hilton have been kind enough to reserve a block of rooms just for us - but that reservation has a limited time window, so if you're looking to book, our advice is to book sooner rather than later!  The block of rooms for early arrival / late departure is very limited.

There will be a free transport service operating between the main venue and the overflow hotel - we will be announcing details of this soon!

43

Announcements / Room Availability Alert

« on: January 11, 2013, 20:32:42 »

Over the last few days, we’ve had a tremendous influx of registrations, including 100 registrations over the last five days alone!

As a result of this overwhelming response, we’ve run out of our primary allocation of rooms. However, if you still want space in the hotel, there is hope! Please read the information below to see the best way of securing a space for you (and your sharing partners)

When you try to fill out the registration form, you’ll note that when you choose a room type, you’ll see a message saying ‘none available’.  However, due to the way our registration system works, we do have a number of rooms that were kept in reserve for those willing to share with an extra person by use of a campbed (this option was available for any room type).

So, how can you give yourself a chance of getting a space?  Step one: REGISTER!  To be in with any chance of getting a space, you must get yourself into registration as soon as possible!  During registration, select your preferred room type, and just ignore the message telling you there are no rooms available.

What happens next is usually your registration will be approved – however during this busy time, it may take longer than usual to process your registration.  Don’t worry – we’ll get to you as soon as we can!  We are responding to all requests for rooms on an as-received basis and need to process any requests for room changes made before your registration was received.

If we are able to accommodate you, then the registration team will contact you with a room offer, explaining your options.  The offer may include having your selected room-type but with a campbed.  If you do not want to do this, just let the registration team know and they will try to accommodate your room-type without the campbed.  Note – there is a slightly reduced rate on offer if you have the campbed, this will be explained to you in the room offer.

This room offer is time-limited and you MUST respond promptly.
If you accept the room offer, you will then receive registration approval and payment-due emails.  You MUST respond and pay PROMPTLY in order to fully secure your space.  Once you have paid -regardless of the method you have used to pay- reply to the registration team to tell them that you have done so.

Some of you who have registered very recently may have already received approval notices, and information to tell you that you are on the waiting list.  You do not need to do anything, we will contact you as soon as possible with a room offer.

Of course we’re pretty close to the limit on the number of people we can accommodate in the hotel, and regardless of the above, we will at some stage run out of spaces.   If you are still on our waiting list when we have completely sold out, we will contact you to let you know.  We are in negotiations with several potential overflow hotels, but we are not ready to make any announcements about this currently.  Watch the website, twitter and forums for more information as soon as we have it.

44

Announcements / Announcing our Charity for 2013!

« on: December 19, 2012, 14:48:04 »

We're pleased to announce our Charity for 2013: STA Ferret Rescue!

STA Ferret Rescue (a branch of the British Federation of Ferret Welfare) is the ferret arm of STARescue, a registered charity working in the Basingstoke, Sonning and surrounding areas.

Claire Shuttleworth has been running the ferret branch, with her husband Roy, from their home in Sonning since July 2004. Since then, at least 1000 ferrets (and 9 whole polecats) have come into their care - with between 150-200 ferrets arriving each year.

As a small charity, their funding is restricted, so our contributions will make a real difference to their work, and help them look after the many ferrets that need their help.

Last year, we introduced a 'Meet the Charity' event, and you'll be pleased to know we're planning to continue this for 2013, this means you'll be able to hear from STA Rescue, and of course, meet the Ferrets!
New for 2013 - Ferret Racing!  The charity are planning to come along and run their Ferret Racing event for us, where you can place bets on the Ferrets, and help raise a bit of extra money for the charity!

With your help, we know we'll be able to make a big difference to this charity, so make sure you come along to the Charity events, and attend the art auction!

For more details on the charity, visit our Charity pages here

45

Dealers Den & Art Auction / Art Show Pre-Registration

« on: December 18, 2012, 14:11:43 »

Important – if you plan to submit an item to our art show and auction this year, please read on!

With our year-on-year growth of the convention, many of our events have grown too. One area where we’ve found a big challenge is the Art-Show. Our team have to catalogue each item being submitted, record the donation level, and of course, who bought it (if it was submitted for auction sale).

With so many items being submitted each year, it’s become a huge task to do this on the fly at the convention, and makes it hard to close the art show and move rapidly to the live voice auction without incurring delays.

To help solve this problem, we are asking anyone who wants to submit items to the auction to pre-register their items in advance. You can do this by filling out the following form: http://goo.gl/OgrXb

We know that some of you may not fully know exactly what items you’ll be submitting until closer to the convention, and last minute, unregistered items will be accepted at the very end of the Art Submission event on Thursday before the Art show opens, and any extra space will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis