Get Your Cuddle on at Portland’s First Annual Cuddle Con

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Amelie Rousseau, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Samantha Hess, professional cuddlier and Owner of Cuddle Up to Me. Photo Credit: cuddle con.com

Looking for a way to improve your touch skills? Anyone 18 and over can join the fun at Portland’s first annual Cuddle Con.

The conference kicks off on February 14th, featuring a wide variety of workshops on partner yoga, dance, massage and breathing. The all-day event kicks off with a consent workshop for all attendees. Cuddling at Cuddle Con is optional, so people of all touch comfort levels are encouraged to attend.

Cuddle Con 2015 is organized by Portland’s own cuddling company Cuddle Up To Me, which opened in November of last year (1015 E Burnside). Samantha Hess, owner of Cuddle Up To Me and the organizer of Cuddle Con said, “We want to give people an understanding of what platonic touch is. The most important thing is communication.”

Cuddle Con aims to challenge the misconception that cuddling is only found in romantic relationships. Hess, a ‘celebrity professional cuddler,’ says, “Platonic cuddling is real, and not creepy. All of these activities are things you can do in front of your grandma.”

Co-sponsors of Cuddle Con 2015 include Oregon Touch, which organizes the only platonic cuddle parties in Oregon, AcroYoga, Dance Lifts, and Tribal Love. “We will have one massage class for couples, but everything is platonic and family friendly,” says Hess. “Anyone who doesn’t have a place to go on V-Day should come to Cuddle Con!”

Cuddle Con will be held at Cuddle Up to Me, 1015 E Burnside St. To register, visit cuddlecon.com.

Related Slideshow: Cuddle Up to Me

Cuddle Up to Me, owned by professional cuddler Samantha Hess, opened in Portland November, 2014. See photos from The Reluctant Adventurer's one hour spent with Hess in a professional cuddle session.