The Story of Fetish Con™ – From Bond Con® Beginnings to a Florida Legacy
Every long-running event has an origin story, and ours stretches back decades – long before Fetish Con™ became a flagship trade show and fetish community celebration. Our roots began in New York City with a small, bondage-focused gathering known as Bond Con, created by three original founders: Genesis Lynn, Vesta, and Mike.
Their idea was simple but ambitious: create a weekend-long meetup where bondage models from around the world could connect with producers, learn from one another, and network in a welcoming space. That idea became reality in October 2001, when Bond Con opened its doors at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia in Queens, New York.
It was, without question, a leap into the unknown. The city and the entire nation was still reeling from the tragedy of 9/11 just one month earlier. Travel was difficult, fear was high, and no one knew if anyone would show up. But we moved forward with courage, community spirit, and hope – and it paid off.
More than 500 attendees filled the ballroom that first year. Our Guests of Honor Stacy Burke, Darla Crane, and Eve Ellis helped kick off a powerful inaugural weekend filled with panel discussions, live bondage demonstrations, vendors, website owners, models, producers, and fans. What started as a small idea quickly became the foundation of a trade show we had no idea would grow into a nearly two-decade legacy.
A Fresh Start and a New Name
The early years weren’t without challenges. After a difficult split with a former business partner, the founding trio regrouped and produced two additional shows under the name Bond Con NYC. But it became clear that a fresh start was needed.
After the 2003 show, we packed up, moved to sunny Florida, and without knowing it prepared to begin the next chapter of our journey. While settling into our new lives, the show went on hiatus. We weren’t sure if it would ever return.
Then, in early 2004, our friend Stacy Burke gifted us the name that would change everything: Fetish Con™.
With that gift, a new era began.
The Return of Bond Con® – An Unexpected Twist
Fast forward to 2019. Eighteen incredible trade shows later, we assumed the Bond Con chapter was simply part of our history. But the universe had a surprise in store.
Back in 2007, Peter Acworth, founder of Kink.com, had acquired the Bond Con name and domain. Kink.com even hosted a Bond Con event in 2014 at the legendary San Francisco Armory, and in 2014 Peter trademarked the name.
Then, in February 2019, we received a message from Peter asking if we wanted the Bond Con® trademark and domain back.
Our reaction? Speechless.
Our answer? A resounding YES.
Not only did Peter offer them back, he gifted them to us. His generosity and kindness are something we remain deeply grateful for, and we extend that gratitude to the entire Kink.com team.
With the Bond Con® name back home, we began exploring how to honor our beginnings while continuing to grow Fetish Con™. The solution revealed itself quickly:
We reintroduced Bond Con® by creating the BONDAGE BATTLE – a return to our roots wrapped into the excitement of Fetish Con™.
Looking Ahead
From a small ballroom in Queens to a major trade show in Florida, our story has been shaped by creativity, community, resilience, and the people who have believed in this event since the very beginning.
Thank you to everyone who has come along for the journey – whether you’ve been with us since 2001 or just joined us recently. And a special thank you to Peter Acworth and Kink.com for helping us reconnect with a meaningful part of our history.
We can’t wait to see you all in August!
Genesis Lynn, Vesta, Mike, and Si