Anthrocon is the world's largest furry convention, taking place in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania each June or July. Its focus is on furries: fictional
anthropomorphic animal characters in art and literature. The convention was first
held in 1997 in New York State, and draws over 5,000 attendees annually.
Attendance in 2015 was 6,348, with a fursuit parade of 1,460 and an estimated
economic impact of $5.7 million. Background and history
Anthrocon was founded in 1997 as Albany Anthrocon in New York State, with a
membership of about 500. The convention was renamed to 'Anthrocon' and moved to
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1999 and 2000; then to a larger hotel, the Adams
Mark, on the outskirts of Philadelphia in 2001. Attendance grew each year,
Anthrocon becoming the largest furry convention in 2001 with an attendance of
1,457; It has retained that position of the largest furry convention since. In
2004 it had climbed to 2,404 attendees in its final year at the Adams Mark.
Due to the unforeseen sale of the Adams Mark Hotel in November 2004, Anthrocon
chose the Wyndham Franklin Plaza in Philadelphia as the site for its 2005
convention. Attendance that year dropped slightly to 2,373, due in part to higher
parking fees, a different and unfamiliar hotel, and possibly due to Hurricane
Dennis's effect on the southern United States which closed many airports and
prevented people from traveling. In June 2005, a contract with the Westin
Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh was signed, and Anthrocon was scheduled
to be held at the adjoining David L. Lawrence Convention Center between June
15 and 18, 2006. Despite concerns that the move to Pittsburgh would decrease
attendance, it actually rose to 2,489, which was enough to ensure the future of
the convention in Pittsburgh. In 2007 Anthrocon was featured in the
Guinness World Records as the "largest furry fan club" in the world. In 2008,
Anthrocon became the first furry convention to have an attendance
exceeding 3,000 members, the official count reaching 3,390. In 2009,
attendance rose 11% to 3,776, and the Fursuit Parade count jumped to 640—a 41%
increase. Anthrocon 2009 brought approximately $3 million to the
Pittsburgh economy. Anthrocon 2010 had an attendance of
4,238, the first furry convention to exceed 4,000 members; and by 2012 saw
5,179 attendees, with a Fursuit Parade exceeding 1,000. The admission price was
also set overall at $60 for a four day pass, though pre-registered attendees
paid $50. In 2013, Anthrocon contracted roomspace with seven of Pittsburgh's ten
downtown hotels. The chairman of the convention since
1999, Dr. Samuel Conway, oversees the operations of Anthrocon, with the help
of convention staff and volunteers who donate their time and energy throughout
the weekend to assist the multitude of small tasks which arise. Since 1997,
Anthrocon has raised more than $200,000 for animal-related charities.
Typical programming and events There are areas open most of the day to
accommodate sales by Dealers and Artists as well as an area to congregate and
socialize. Anthrocon provides a number of
specialized 'tracks' of programming with similar furry based themes and scheduled
'events'. The programming tracks involve
discussions and work groups focused on the application of furry in Art, Comedy
and Improv, Computer Gaming, Costuming, Music, Puppetry, Role-Playing, and
Writing. The scheduled events that take place are
the Charity Auction, the Masquerade, the Fursuit Parade, nightly dances, Art Show
Auctions, and special presentations by Uncle Kage and "2 the Ranting Gryphon".
Locations, attendances, and charity donations by year
Themes and Guests of Honor by year Every year the convention has several
Guests of Honor – prominent individuals who are compensated for their attendance
and travel expenses. Past Guests of Honor at Anthrocon have included:
References anthrocon.org28359/anthrocon-2015-wrapup
.org25780/our-economic-impact-pittsburgh ^ a b Anthrocon, Inc.. "Anthrocon
History". Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
^ John Cole. "Anthrocon 2009 – A Final Look Back".
^ Karl Jorgensen. "A Bunch Of Anthrocon News Coverage In One Convenient Post!".
^ Brandolph, Adam. "Furry Convention $3 Million Cash Cow for City Businesses".
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on 14 April 2009. Retrieved
2009-04-07. ^ Katie Notopoulos. "Are Furries Really
So Bad?". Buzzfeed. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
throcon0/Anthrocon%202009%20schedule.pdf ^ "Anthrocon Events".
^ http:www.ranting-gryphon.com ^ http:www.anthrocon.org/history
^ http:www.anthrocon.org4310 ^ http:www.anthrocon.org4299
^ "Anthrocon 2011 attendance". Anthrocon. 2011-06-26.
^ Brian Harris. "Anthrocon 2011 Charity Event Followup". Retrieved 2011-06-28.
24/anthrocon-2013-charity-event-followup ^ Anthrocon's first guest of honor
named, Uncle Kage, Anthrocon LiveJournal, 19 August 2006
^ Anthrocon's 2007 Guests of Honor announced!, Uncle Kage, Anthrocon
website, 12 Nov 2006 ^ http:www.anthrocon.orgdate
External links Anthrocon – official website