Visitors to Anthrocon 2024 lined up outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center seven hours before registration opened Thursday. More than 17,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, a gathering of free-spirited people immersed in the creativity of animal costumes. “There are literally hundreds of furry conventions around the world. This is the only one that has this kind of drive, this heart, this enthusiasm,” Anthrocon CEO Samuel Conway said, praising Pittsburgh. “It comes from the city that surrounds us.” Conway said the event began as a small, intimate party in a technical college dorm in Albany, New York, in 1996. This year’s convention is expected to be the largest Anthrocon yet. VisitPittsburgh is projecting more than $70 million in spending from July 4-7. Downtown and surrounding businesses are gearing up. “We love it when they come to town. We get to have a little fun. We get to push the boundaries of what the typical downtown place does,” said Chris Norton, general manager of Pizza Parma. Pizza Parma is transforming into Furryland for the weekend, decked out its pizzeria with pet-friendly signs and accommodations. The co-owners say they’ve been doing this for 19 years. Each year, they incorporate new ways to attract the Anthrocon crowd. “One of our big specials is a dog bowl special. They get a dog bowl with food, whatever they want, whether it’s a sandwich, a wrap or a pizza,” Norton said. And they’re not the only ones bracing for the huge economic impact. “We’re sold out this year.” “I think it’s five days in a row,” said Domenica DeSantis, director of hotel services at the Westin. “We are, as our general manager likes to call us, ground zero for Anthrocon because we’re connected to the convention center.” The Westin said that when rooms were released, the hotel sold out in two minutes. And that’s about the same for all the hotels in and around the city. It’s a major driver of Pittsburgh’s economy. “But a major economic driver for our city. And we expect this year to be the biggest year yet. In fact, our lodging block, which opened with 10,000 hotel rooms, sold out in 12 minutes,” said Andrew Ortale, director of sales for VisitPittsburgh. And, of course, those attending Anthrocon this year are ready for the weekend. “I’ve wanted to come to this convention since I was a kid in 2014. I’m excited even though I’ve had very little sleep because of the preparation. I’m not tired even though I really should be. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it,” said Pixal and Spade Taylor, who were both from Michigan.
Anthrocon 2024 attendees lined up outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center seven hours before registration opened Thursday.
More than 17,000 people are expected to attend the four-day event, a gathering of free-spirited people immersed in the creativity of animal costumes.
“There are literally hundreds of furry conventions around the world. This is the only one that has that kind of drive, that heart, that enthusiasm,” said Samuel Conway, CEO of Anthrocon, while praising Pittsburgh. “It comes from the city that surrounds us.”
Conway says the event started as a small, intimate party in a technical college dorm in Albany, New York, in 1996.
This year’s convention is expected to be the largest ever hosted by Anthrocon, with VisitPittsburgh projecting more than $70 million in spending from July 4-7.
Businesses in the city centre and surrounding areas are getting ready.
“We appreciate them coming to town. We get to have a little fun. We get to push the boundaries of what typical downtown restaurants do,” said Chris Norton, general manager of Pizza Parma.
Pizza Parma is transforming into Furryland for the weekend, decorating its pizzeria with pet-friendly signs and amenities. The co-owners say they’ve been doing this for 19 years. Each year, they incorporate new ways to draw in the Anthrocon crowd.
“One of our main specialties is a special dog bowl. They get a dog bowl with food, whatever they want, whether it’s a sandwich, a wrap or a pizza,” Norton said.
And they’re not the only ones bracing for the huge economic impact.
“We’re sold out this year. I think we’ve been there for five days in a row,” said Domenica DeSantis, director of hotel services at the Westin. “We are, as our general manager likes to call us, ground zero for Anthrocon because we’re connected to the convention center.”
The Westin said that when rooms were released, the hotel was sold out within two minutes. And that’s pretty much the same for every hotel in and around the city. It’s a major factor in Pittsburgh’s economic momentum.
“But it’s a major economic driver for our city. And we expect this year to be the biggest year yet. In fact, our housing block, which opened with 10,000 hotel rooms, sold out in 12 minutes,” said Andrew Ortale, VisitPittsburgh’s sales director.
And of course, those attending Anthrocon this year are ready for the weekend.
“I’ve wanted to come to this convention since I was a little kid in 2014. I’m excited even though I’ve had very little sleep because of the preparations. I’m not tired, even though I should be. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it,” said Pixal and Spade Taylor, both from Michigan.
