Fur Squared took place from February 20 to 23, 2025, at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
The convention was primarily hosted across the hotel’s third and fourth floors, with additional space at the Baird Center, located just north of the hotel and connected via a skybridge.
One thing I should mention though. Access to the convention center side required a security screening at the end of the skybridge, with all attendees undergoing bag checks.
The Baird Center housed the Second Stage, Dealers Den, and Registration, making movement between the two venues a regular part of the attendee experience.
Registration opened on Thursday at 5:00 PM, followed by the first scheduled events at 6:30 PM.
One of these was an Open Mic session, where volunteers were invited on stage to entertain the audience – I joined it, and it was both exhilarating and memorable.
There weren’t many panels that evening, but the same could not be said of Friday. It saw a significant increase in panels and events, leading up to the Opening Ceremony.
Sponsors and Super Sponsors also had access to a dedicated Sponsors’ Lounge, offering complimentary snacks and drinks throughout the day.
They did have a Sponsors’ Lounge where you could grab and snack as well as a drink for free for Sponsors and Super Sponsors.
Among the panels, I also hosted the 3DS StreetPass Meet, focusing on handheld gaming culture and the enduring community around a system discontinued by Nintendo.
One of the most visually striking events was the Masquerade Ball. Attendees received masks during registration, and participation was open to those in formal attire or fursuit.
The Super Sponsor Dinner followed, featuring a build-your-own burger and salad setup, alongside fish and pork cutlets, with a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks and desserts.
Later in the evening, Down Bad Furlesque took place, featuring adult-oriented performances and games.
Fur Squared offered more than enough programming to keep attendees engaged throughout the weekend. For those wishing to step outside the venue, the surrounding area provided a wide range of restaurants and late-night entertainment options.
Sunday proved to be a standout. In my over thirteen years of attending conventions, I had never experienced a closing day quite like it.
What appeared in the schedule as four separate events—Convention War Stories, Charity Whose Lion Is It Anyway, Now This Is How You Exorcise A Con, and the Closing Ceremony — flowed together into what felt like a single, continuous session lasting over four hours.
In the end everyone had a great time, including the staff. Even the Hilton City Center staff was delighted by the furries – one told me as I was getting ready to go home: They were sorry to see us go.
In total, Fur Squared welcomed 2,128 attendees and raised USD 24,454.03 for the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), supporting animals in need.
Fur Squared 2025：一场浑然一体的盛会
2025 年 2 月 20-23 日，美国威斯康星州密尔沃基市的希尔顿密尔沃基市中心酒店举办了 Fur Squared 兽展。
活动主要分布在酒店三四楼，并延伸至北侧天桥相连的贝尔德会议中心（Baird Centre）。
进入会议中心需在天桥尽头接受安检，所有参与者都需进行包包检查。
贝尔德中心设有第二舞台、摊位间和报名柜台，往返两地成为参会日常。报到于周四下午 5 点开放，首场活动 6:30 开始。
我参加了即兴表演环节，观众可自愿上台互动——既刺激又难忘。当晚活动不多，但周五节目激增， 一路带到开幕典礼。
赞助商专属休息厅全天供应免费小食饮品。我主持的3DS街机联机会聚焦任天堂已停产掌机的玩家文化，现场反应热烈。
化装舞会视觉冲击力最强，注册者可领面具，正装或兽装皆可参与。随后的超级赞助商晚宴提供自选汉堡沙拉套餐，搭配炸鱼猪排及无酒精饮品甜点。
晚间成人向滑稽剧表演（Down Bad Furlesque ）尺度大胆，周边餐饮娱乐选择丰富，不怕饿肚子。
Fur Squared 的活动安排丰富充实，让参与者整个周末都尽兴投入。如果想离开场馆走走，周边区域也提供各式餐厅与深夜娱乐选择。
周日压轴日打破我十三年参会经验——原定四场活动《兽展趣闻录》、《慈善猜猜乐》、《如何驱魔一场兽展》及闭幕式——无缝衔接成四小时狂欢马拉松。
活动结束时，每个人都玩得很尽兴，连希尔顿员工都依依不舍，有位工作人员送我离场时说：”真舍不得你们走呢！”
本届活动吸引 2,128 名参与者，并为动物保护组织“仁爱动物福利协会”（HAWS）筹得24,454.03美元善款。
Global Furry Television 