CONvergence - [See Photos]
http://www.convergence-con.org/ - Early July; 4th of July Weekend - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Arguably, this is the greatest, fan-run convention I've ever attended or seen. The halls of the Radisson South Hotel fill with thousands of fans, dozens of groups and a collection of some of the best guests of honor I've ever seen assembled at any fan gathering! The panels and lectures are diverse, the special events -tremendous. From fan-favorite and obscure films in Cinema Rex to the fantastic costume masquerade to the Gadgeteers Petting Zoo to the Art Show to the numerous parties to Theater Nippon (Anime) to the Con Suite, CONvergence started out in its first year with an attendance of 1,500 and continues to grow and get stronger and more solid! Please come on by and help it grow by adding your own, unique presence to the expanding mix!

Anthrocon - [See Photos]
http://www.anthrocon.org/ - Mid July - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What can I say besides if it weren't for CONvergence, this would be the best convention I've attended. With some minor snafus in the registration line at the 2001 event, I've rarely seen such a well-run convention. The staff are fast, courteous and possessed of a very professional rapport with the hotel in which the convention is run. Anthrocon focuses on Furry Fandom; a type of fandom that deals with animals and anthropomorphic animals in liturature, art, music and film. If you've never experienced a con of this type before, I urge you to think of Anthrocon as the standard by which all others are measured!

Midwest FurFest - [See Photos]
http://www.furfest.org/ - Late November; Just before Thanksgiving - Chicago, Illinois
Another furry convention like Anthrocon, it's very well run and just beginning to rival it's cousin in July. I keep thinking that -in time- Midwest FurFest will develop a friendly rivalry with Anthrocon (see above) in such as way as to benefit both conventions. Only a short drive for me, from Minneapolis, Midwest FurFest feels like a family gathering, without the dysfunctional angst. (Well, at ANY fan gathering there is BOUND to be dysfunctiontal angst, but there seems to be much, much less of it, here...) <smile>

Further Confusion - [See Photos]
http://www.furtherconfusion.org/ - Late January - San Mateo, California
Y'know, how can I choose between such great Furry cons as these? The previous two are each fantastic, and Further Confusion is no less-so. What really helps this convention stand out, other than the California weather in the depths of January, is the location. Not only is the hotel excellent, but there is a surplus of really great restaurants in the vicinity. So far, in every year I have gone to FC, I've traveled with a group to the excellent restaurant La Fondue. Absolutely fantasic! While Philadelphia and Chicago have some nice places to dine near the con, nothing can beat the location of Further Confusion. (Especially when you can take the nearby train to anywhere in San Fransisco...)

GenCon - [See Photos]
http://www.wizards.com/gencon/ - Early to Mid August - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2002) / Indianapolis, Indiana (2003+)
This was one of the first conventions I've ever attended. It is a corp-con and host to nearly 60,000 fans each year. It is also a Gaming con and focuses on everything from board games to strategy games to role-playing games to computer games to war games to card games. It is a phenomenal experience to be awash in such surroundings; almost like drowning. The events are so numerous that it's easy to lose track of them all and the dealer's room is the largest of any convention in the world. Still, there is no place better for finding a game to play; they literally have them all at GenCon!

Confurence - [See Photos]
http://www.confurence.net/ - Late April - Southern California
A fine Furry convention that I attended a few times before I started running low on cash each year, Confurence is the grand-daddy of Furry cons.

Minicon - [See Photos]
http://www.mnstf.org/minicon/ - Easter Weekend - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Once, some years ago, this was my first exposure to fandom-proper. Minicon was a gathering place for fans of all stripes with events, panels and parties that covered every aspect of fandom. It was here that I learned what a truly diverse community fandom is and garnered appreciation for the large, almost "Carnival" atmosphere that allowed me to explore it all. If it weren't for this, I never would have had exposure to Fanzines, Costumers, Filkers or even Anime fans. Today, Minicon has become smaller and more focused; more of a "personal" convention on a smaller scale and limited scope.