Something new for 2009
There are some important changes that our attendees should be aware of when making plans for 2009.
- Anthrocon 2009 will be held from July 2 through July 5, 2009.
- The Omni William Penn is not available next year. We are arranging for rooms at both the Doubletree and the Courtyard by Marriott (altough we were given only a small block at the Courtyard).
- All hotel reservations will require a one-night deposit at the time the reservation is made. That deposit is not refundable if the reservation is canceled.
- Anthrocon's major functions will move into Hall B, where we should have enough space for years to come.
- Registration for Anthrocon 2009 will begin after Labor Day after we have recovered from 2008.
Yea isn't that the ones that we were not using that was soo huge under that catwalk?
I have made it a point to be a considerate guest at the Omni - leaving a tip each morning for the housekeeping staff (and finding a nice thank-you note on my pillow every evening, upon my return), no demands for "extra" services, dining in the "Tap Room", using the gift shop, using (and tipping) the Bell Staff, paying compliments in person and at the desk. My queries concerning our - AnthroCon Attendee's - overall behaviour indicated that they were pleased with us over all, or at least, found us acceptable...
...Did we incur their displeasure in some way?
Someone else will have to confirm this for me, but I believe the issue at hand here is another group has allready booked them solid for that timeframe, so they do not have the space for us.
Tora-
Are the Yankees coming back? XP
Yes. Groups the size of Anthrocon book hotels years in advance. It just so happens that another group booked more years in advance than we did. We are already set at the Omni for 2010.
I am rather disappointed. I stayed at the William Penn this year and I would rather stay there then at the Westin any time. The Westin is nice but the William Penn is an older hotel which I prefer. I felt like I was walking into an old style movie when I was at the William Penn. I would let my mind wander and all of a sudden I'm some pulp hero like the Shadow or the Spider as a furry playing out some story in the cinema of my own mind. Of course I was reading stories of the Spider flying in might have helped that but still I will try to grab a room at the Westin as soon as I can afford it. To me it won't be as nice but at least I'll have a room to stay. I thank you for letting us know about the change in plans, Uncle Kage. May 2009 be better than 2008.
Very unfortunate as I was planning on staying at the Omni again. Thank you very much for letting us know so far in advance. 
"All hotel reservations will require a one-night deposit at the time the reservation is made. That deposit is not refundable if the reservation is canceled."
So, correct me if I'm wrong here - this year (08), we could have cancelled hotel reservations without paying, right? That's what I heard.
How much will I have to toss down for this one-night deposit?
You could have canceled up to the point where the deposit was charged, about a month before the convention. After that you could still have canceled, but you wouldn't get the money back.
Presumably, the amount you have to toss down this time around is the amount that one night will cost, whatever that is.
I'm pretty sure it means "you will be charged the first's night's stay automatically at the time of the reservation", which means that, when you arrive, you've already paid for that.
In previous years, there was a serious problem regarding hotel rooms.
The convention is able to get us the convention rate (CHEAPER ROOMS at convenient hotels)
by making a deal with each hotel. The hotel wants to fill all rooms, and an empty room
means money they don't make. So, the convention guarantees them filled rooms, in
exchange for an arrangement where the conventioners get to rent the rooms for less.
The hotel fills the rooms (although not at the highest price they MIGHT get, but they still
make a profit), and we get the rooms we need.
The PROBLEM was that lots of people didn't know if they were going to the convention or not.
So, with no penalty for doing so, lots of people with only a vague idea they might like
to go reserved a LOT of the rooms. As it came down to the dates of the convention, most
of them either realized they couldn't go-and cancelled the reservation,
or got room in someone else's reserved room-and cancelled the reservation.
This was bad for the hotel, bad for the conventioners, and bad for the convention.
It was bad for the hotel because suddenly, they had lots of rooms now vacant that were
supposed to be filled, with little chance to fill them. That's VERY bad for a hotel.
It was bad for the conventioners because those who were almost certain to attend were
unable to get the rooms they wanted because they'd been reserved before they did so-
so they reserved rooms further away, sometimes much further away, some of them outside
the convention reservation blocks.
It was bad for the convention because they ended up dealing with less-happy conventioners,
and unhappy hotels- who expected financial compensation. AC guaranteed people in those
rooms, and how had to deliver on the guarantees, which means money LOST by AC.
All because some people didn't care about the consequences to others, and made problems
for everyone else through their carelessness.
This past year, an attempt was made to address that, with some results.
After a certain point, the first night was charged. Before that, the same people who
reserved and cancelled without conscience had to cancel- giving the hotels a LITTLE time
to fill the rooms and other conventioners a chance to reserve them-
or NOT cancel in time, and the hotel gets the money for the first night as partial
compensation for the vacant room.
Apparently, that didn't work as well as we would have hoped, since AC was unable to
secure similar agreements this year.
It's less convenient-to a point- for those who are DEFINITE for AC'09, but it SHOULD
slow down the rate of rooms getting snatched up by people who won't end up in them-
since they'd lose over $100 for being careless. With fewer of them snatching up the
rooms in the Westin (and the other blocks), those who are DEFINITE for the con will
have a much bigger window for reserving rooms they will DEFINITELY use.
That's good for the definites, and good for the hotels, who don't want to shuffle around
and refill rooms.
So, if you want to know why it happened, it's not the fault of the hotels, nor of
AnthroCon.
Yeah, that all makes sense. Slightly inconvenient at worst.
I actually like this new set up a bit better because the Omni took forever to charge my debit card the deposit this year. The website says 'deposit will occur between X and Y" and Y came, no charge...
I finally called them and had them take the deposit because I was worried they'd lost the reservation.
I'd rather pay up front than have to keep the amount floating on the debit for them to charge sometime in the future.
Will the panels move to the convention center in turn, Uncle Kage?
Okay, I'm too tired to respond. We still have the Westin. The backup hotel at the Omni's out for next year. I'll have to jump on the Westin ASAP.
I don't suppose that the Marriot and the Doubletree could handle the overflow could they?
Oh shiz. That's over the 4th. No wonder the omni is booked already.
Is this the first time the con has been over the 4th of July or have you done this before? We'll probably be able to watch the fireworks from the river side of the convention center.
EDIT: Might want to note that although nobody around here (I live near pittsburgh) actually follows this, lighting fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) in PA is illegal.
*hides his stash of explosives*
Actually, if memory serves, last year the convention was held on the 4th of July weekend as well.
"Furry is a state of mind."
True, but the 4th was the Wednesday before the con. Those arriving early could watch the fireworks, although the view from the hotel and convention center isn't very good -- the tall buildings downtown are in the way.
What the purple 'roo said.
I was there on 2007 July 4. A bunch of us went through that water-tunnel thing under the DLCC, right up to the edge of the river, and yes, from there we could see the fireworks. The second- and third-floor balconies may be good vantage points as well, though I haven't heard from anyone who tried them. (The 4th was on a Wednesday that year, so I'm not sure we were even allowed entry to the DLCC at the time.)
The fireworks were a bit far away, however (toward the southwest), so it's an open question whether you'd rather schlep it down to the actual venue and see them up close.
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iSKUNK!
Last year was over the 4th (well not really, since the con didnt techinally start until the next day although many furs come in a day early). The first few years of AC was also held over the 4th, 97 to 99 to be exact. I cant say how that went because #1, it was held in a different location then Pittsburgh; Albany, NY and Valley Forge, PA, #2 AC had far less attendees then, and #3 I know little about AC before 2006 aside from what I read on WF and a handful of others.
And yes, fireworks are illegal in PA although I didn't know things like novelties, fountains and sparklers were banned as well. Last time I read they were allowed unless there was a recent rule change. I do know that nearby Ohio allows you to purchase most consumer fireworks on the rule that, except for things like Sparklers & novelties, you must take them out of state within 48 hours.
I'm rather disappointed that the Omni will be a no go for next year. It was a nice hotel and had almost no wait time for the elevators. On the other hand, if I can get the Westin which I'm sure the elevator problem will be handled, it'll be a breeze then walking a couple of blocks.
I'd forgotten! In Albany in 1997 and 1998 the con hotel was about a block from Empire State Plaza, where the city's fireworks display takes place. I remember going to watch them the Friday of the con in 1997 (this was before I volunteered for the Art Show), but bad weather delayed them in 1998 to Sunday the 5th and I watched them while loading the Art Show equipment onto a truck.
Ah, I remember that, in 1998. Winding down in my hotel room after the convention (my first Anthrocon!), watching the reflections of the fireworks on the tall glass buildings around the hotel. Magical.
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
yes I remember the fireworks were supposed to be on a Sat night in '98 but there
was bad weather and I was gone (driven back to MA) by Sun night
btw it was said we can register for the Con after Labor Day but every year
technically you can register for next year's Con on the last day of the current one
and I have taken adv. of that many years. I usually am among the first on Sunday
about 10 am to register for next year (at $5 less, I believe)
Sparklers, I believe, are legal (not-regulated anyway). At least this is what is implied by this web page on the Pennsylvania State Police website:
http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/browse.asp?A=15&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=70360
Greyse
PA's kind of weird when it comes to fireworks.
Phantom Fireworks sells the "good stuff" in Warfordsburg/Breezewood, PA, but if you're a PA resident they won't let you in the store.
Yeah I live here in PA.
From what I'm told and what I've seen, PA law allows vendors to sell recreational explosive devices, but forbids residents from acquiring them. That's a rather odd circumstance I'd say.
-There is no truth
Legal or not sparklers and AC sounds like a recipe for disaster. Combine small flaming sticks being swung around with people with horrible visibility wearing big flammable costumes that are hard to get out of quickly and that's asking for trouble.
People should definitely leave the fireworks, sparklers included, home.
Erf. Do I need to add that to the Standards of Conduct?
Nice idea, but you can't add every "common sense" situation to the standards of conduct.
-There is no truth
"The setting of fursuiters on fire is prohibited."
Yeah, I guess you're right.
You could always TRY to cover every situation...
but then you'd end up with stuff like "213 things Skippy can't do", and people like Skippy.
-There is no truth
I believe that might be a greater problem in the lobby of the new Midwest FurFest hotel. Hey, how'd that guy get there?
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
That is different. Fire obeys me.
Indeed, that picture has been making the rounds.
--
My LiveJournal - My Website - See what I'm doing on Twitter
Congratulations to you both! I don't think that I have EVER seen a more "Mephistophelean" pose, planned or otherwise. It would make an excellent poster for an updated performance of FAUST. And coincidentally, that grin could also be classified as "vulpine".
Now if only you had a plumed, goose-quill pen to flourish, with a scorch-edged scroll of vellum...
He only has the quill pen and vellum when he's signing up staff members...
I should hope its glaringly obvious to folks they shouldn't give fursuitors fireworks. I would be more concerned with purely accidental problems. Group A is standing on the walkway across the underpass down to the water with sparklers. Yeah! They have picked a location they are pretty sure nothing will get lit on fire because its all concrete and water underneath... but they forgot about the walkway. Of course people will see sparklers and avoid walking under them...
A fursuitor with poor visibility walks underneath to get down to waters edge to enjoy the view and walks under the trail of sparks he can't see. Fire ensues.
That sort of accident is what I'd be concerned with rather than some idiot directly poking a fursuitor with a sparkler. (Unless he was drunk. Then all bets are off)
With the comments from the Dorsai on another thread about drunk calls, the combo of fireworks, alcohol, and highly flammable costumes seems like it would give the Dorsai a twitching fit. Telling everybody specifically to leave the fireworks home should head off the Worst Call Ever where the Dorsai are called because a drunk blew his thumb off.
The Dealers Den etc moving into Hall B? Holy hell that place is huge even compared to Hall C where it is currently
Is Hall B the giant airplane hanger below the bridge? ( http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/noy2222/Anthrocon%202008/AC/?action=view¤t=P1010118.jpg )
Noy
I can't get to Photobucket from work, but yes, Hall B was the huge hall on the left as you walked across the third-floor bridge from the Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom. It's about 80% larger than Hall C (82,450 square feet vs. 45,100 square feet).
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Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
That is indeed Hall B. There's more space in there than we will EVER need.
Careful there, Kage! I'm sure all of us at AC early this decade would've passed out from shock to find we'd be inhabiting a convention center at ALL.
There may be a day when they open up the partition to A after all...
The worst part is I think he is saying that to piss the staff off.
Don't say that Kage 
Anthrocon 2001 "only" had 1,457.
THe attendance has more than doubled in only 7 years..
And there WAS a 19% growth compared to last year .. who knows what might happen of Anthrocon in the next few years
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I love you all ..
except for the people I don't like..
I've heard you say that before... We'll see how that claim holds up in the years to come haha.
Heya all.
Great con. So when will the new rate be approved for the Westin and when can I make my res for next year.
The first room night will be charged "AT THE TIME OF RESERVATION"?? Your making this really hard for some of us that don't have credit cards. Sigh
Any way will it be posted when the new contract is negotiated and when we can make reservations??? Or possibly is there a time frame when this "should" be accomplished so I can have the money aside when needed???
Thanks
Lt. Caladon Dalimar
Roaming Black Leopard at large.
So when will the new rate be approved for the Westin and when can I make my res for next year.
After the staff recovers from this year's convention.
You have 12 months. You can afford to wait at least a few weeks.
There will be updates and announcements.
The first room night will be charged "AT THE TIME OF RESERVATION"?? Your making this really hard for some of us that don't have credit cards. Sigh
No, because the Westin, at least, will accept payment in advance (by check or money
order) and permit the charge off that amount once the payment clears.
You could have asked "What do we do if we can't pay by credit or debit card?"
Any way will it be posted when the new contract is negotiated and when we can make reservations???
Yes.
(See, I CAN use short answers.)
Or possibly is there a time frame when this "should" be accomplished so I can have the money aside when needed???
If you're in a hurry, start saving now. IIRC, most people start making reservations
in September, and even the years they went fast, were still making them in
November. This year it should go slower due to the new policy.
Yeah, I think Hall B will be big enough FOREVER. I mean, we'd need like 10,000 people for Hall A to be required. There will NEVER be 10,000 attendees at Anthrocon! Ha ha ha! It's such a silly idea that there could ever be that many people! It's absolutely IMPOSSIBLE! Not even divine intervention could bring that many people to Anthrocon! Why, I'll bet 1 trillion dollars that it'll NEVER EVER HAPPEN! (before the world blows up in 2012. The Mayans said so.)
Yep, no need to worry about Hall A, cuz we'll never have millions and millions of people flocking to the con, all desperate for Kage's autograph and stampeding toward him at the first sign of his lab coat. >:}
While we may never outgrow the DLCC, if we reach 5,000 attendees there may not be enough hotel rooms.
The fact we're moving to Hall B is fantastic!
It's almost double the size of Hall C
(Which will mean better circulation too ^^)
Sucks to lose the Omni tho' , cause it was a fantastic hotel
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I love you all ..
except for the people I don't like..
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I love you all ..
except for the people I don't like..