Welcome, everyone! Please come in, sit down, and make yourself comfortable. Whether that's peeking out from someone's shirt pocket, taking up four chairs, or curling up against part of the wall and/or ceiling, I hope you're all able to find both the size and position that suits you. You'll want to be comfy because we have a lot of updates to talk about!

Now I know the first question on your mind: "Wait, who the heck are you and why aren't you The Assistant?" It's a very fair question, I get it all the time.

First, I'm just not as cool as the King, okay? Second, hi, I'm Astra! I'm a body expansion writer, a sometimes hyper-maternity model, a Twitch streamer, and I'm the Chair of the Board of Directors here at the convention. It's great to have you here!

This is the very first Letter from the Chair - the place where I, the convention's Chairperson, tell you all about the work the staff has been doing to prepare for SizeCon 2026! But, before we get too deeply into the updates, there's another place we need to start first.

Coming to a kink convention can be a scary, intimidating prospect. I write this from personal experience - I was terrified the first time I came to SizeCon. I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know if I would fit in, and I didn't know what I could possibly get out of attending a convention like this.

But coming to our convention, in Portland, Oregon, in a time when our freedoms are under assault, our neighbors are being arrested without reason, and peaceful people who want to protect their communities are losing their lives to stand up for what they believe in is a completely different moment.

It's easy to ask yourself, "Why come to a kink convention at a time like this?"

My answer to that is simple. Right now, we need four things to remain strong: love, trust, community, and knowledge. Love to see and hear one another as equal human beings. Trust in one another to bring our most vulnerable, but also our best selves to meet the moment. A community that we work hard to keep but keeps us safe when we may fall. Finally, we need knowledge so that we can make informed decisions that let us thrive as people.

Each one of those elements is something that sits at the center of the two hearts of SizeCon. This convention is about the fantasy of transformation, romance, and adult content, but it's also about what Dr. Ruth Westheimer would call "good sex."

Good sex isn't just a pleasurable act - it's a moment of vulnerable discussion, consent, safety, and, of course, fun. Good sex doesn’t come easily. It’s hard work, it takes practice, and it takes commitment. It has the ability to provide that which need so much in our world right now.

This is what this convention truly offers. These are the reasons you should absolutely come to a kink convention at a time like this.

I didn't know what to expect from SizeCon when I first came, but I am so deeply thankful that this convention has shared so much with me and so many others. This is why I'm honored and thankful to be your chair of the board, and a member of this amazingly talented team of creative volunteers.

All of that said, this year we also recognize that coming is not an option for everyone. To our international friends: We know many of you will not be able to join us because it is dangerous for you to do so. We hope you stay safe and well, wherever you are, and we hope to see you in better times.

If you are traveling internationally to visit our convention, then we urge you to please travel safely and cautiously. We trust that you will make the decision that best fits your individual situations and that you will make the decision that keeps you both safe and happy.

If you need to change your travel plans due to recent events, simply request a refund through EventBrite and let us know in the comments that you're an international traveler. We’re more than happy to make accommodations.