EDIT: I had a very sweet friend offer to split her table with me to help us get to the con. I considered it heavily, as MFF is a con I got to see friends I don't get to hang out with that often. It's my 'vacation' convention, where the hubby takes over munchkin duty and I get to have a weekend to myself to be off mommy duty. (Which is rewarding and amazing beyond words, but occasionally exhausting)
After a good deal of consideration, and reading the tweets, journals, etc, I am officially electing NOT to attend MFF this year. It SUCKS to miss seeing friends, but the bottom line is, I cannot in good conscience support a con that treats its long time, loyal artists the way they have been treated.
I'd like to clarify. I respect the hell out of ANYone who works a con. Its long hours, often thankless work, all without making a dime. But there are ways of changing a dealer room dynamic, and shuffling fresh faces and new vendors in, that doesn't alienate and insult those that have been loyally supporting your event for, in some cases, 10+ years.
Folks are 100% more than welcome to have their own opinions on this. I've run events before on a recreational basis, and I know darn well it's more work than anyone who isn't involved can ever fathom. Choices have to be made, and they aren't always going to be popular ones. But there's a way to make those choices, and handle change, that isn't a slap in the face to those who were part of the previous group. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and so I'm staying home.
Those who chose to go, I bear NO ill will. Have fun, hang with friends, and IF you are dissatisfied with the new setup or way things are run, forward those concerns to the staff in a polite and constructive manner.