Westin suites now available
The Westin has a limited number of suites available for Anthrocon attendees for 2009. If you have already made a reservation for a standard room, you can still get a suite by paying the difference in the cost of the deposit.
If you are interested in having a suite at Anthrocon, email the chairman directly at ceo(at)anthrocon.org. We strongly suggest that the words "WESTIN SUITE" appear prominently in the subject line, as he gets a lot of emails these days. You will receive instructions for reserving a suite. Be certain that the name in which you intend to make the reservation is included in the email.
There are three types of suites:
Corner Suite: $250 per night. This is a two-room suite with a king bed in one room and a small parlor room attached.
One-Bedroom Parlor Suite: $365 per night. This is a good-sized room with a king-sized bed attached to a sizeable parlor.
Two-Bedroom Parlor Suite: $480 per night. Same as the one-bedroom, but on the other side is a room with two double beds.
(note that room rates do not include 14% tax per night).
As with all rooms, a one-night deposit will be required at the time of the reservation to secure the suite, and that deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE IF YOU CANCEL THE RESERVATION. The deposit will be applied to your bill when you check out. Be very certain that you will be attending before you reserve a suite.
Remember, you must email ceo(at)anthrocon.org, and include the name in which the reservation would be made. You may not hear back immediately, especially if we get more people asking than we have suites available, but we'll do our best to return the information as soon as space is available.
A special note to those who plan to reserve suites for parties: Remember that there are no party-floors in the Westin. Any gatherings must adhere to Anthrocon's party policy, in that the noise and the crowds both must be kept entirely contained within the room. Also, if the party leaves behind anything that might cause a headache to our hardworking housekeepers, it will spoil everyone's fun, so please be considerate and plan to clean up after yourself.
Reservations for Anthrocon's hotels usually begin in October. For Anthrocon 2010, we would likely begin October 2009, though regular checking of the site in September would not hurt.
--Chi
I am starting to wonder if pushing the room reservation date back to January is not called for.
Kage and Con Staff,
I'm unsure if this has been thought up before, but last night I was chatting with my boyfriend and thought of this.
Two room blocks with two different opening dates for the Westin, 1 which begins in October for the early planners (like myself), and the other to open in January or February for those who do not have the luxury of making their plans so early.
I am in full support of, and love the one night deposit idea that was put into effect this year, but after noticing that the hotel was still sold out by January made me start thinking of other ways to allow "last minute planners" a fighting chance to get a room.
I don't know if this has been thought up before, but either way it's just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks for reading
TC
Even among early planners, i'm not sure any of us really *need* to be able to book rooms in october. I think a lot of those early planners only book in october because they don't want to worry about losing the room if they book later. I even know of a few non-furry gathers in july that don't even take registrations until march.
The 2 tiered approach seem like it has some merit; it might at least encourage some folks to calm the heck down, if they know there will be more rooms later. Perhaps instead of october and january, though, we might consider january and march or april. The only folks i can think of who might have some significant reason to secure plans before that are dealers and staff, and that only because the con knows not only that they're coming, but that it needs to make sure they come. And even there, it seems like we ought to survive waiting until january--especially if we know that everyone else is, too.
Just my $.02. 
How many rooms does the westin have for the Anthrocon? Personally I'd say don't change it, but one does as they wish.
I am somewhat dismal that they do not have single rooms. And if they do then wow, because I don't think I'll be with anyone, I don't have many friends who really... enjoy the sense of being the animal/creature they admire most.
If worst comes to worst I just look for a nearby hotel.
The Westin does have single rooms. It's just that they are all sold out. At this point every available room in the hotel is spoken for. They always keep some rooms in reserve in case Mr. Obama decides to show up or something, but as we get closer to the convention they may release those.
The Doubletree Hotel is our next preferred hotel, and they have arranged a very good rate for us. As far as I know they still have both single and double rooms available.
"They always keep some rooms in reserve in case Mr. Obama decides to show up or something"
I Loled XD
That would be one helluva GOH.
Well I hope I find something, I've relayed my descision to go in 2010 and I am hopefully going this year.
If it should come that I can't get a place, does anyone mind me staying with them? I'll pay for some of the cost if someone does. Although that sounds silly yes? No one even knows me. Ha ha. And I don't know anyone! Save a few.
I'm not used to the Pittsburg area, I went once last year with my ex, but it certainly wasn't around the time of the convention, and I'd no idea where the convention would be anyways! Well whatever, I am just rambling on now, 
sorry all!
Onjade Demicol the dragon will hopefully make his first appearce at AC, I hope.
Sincerly one and all.
Is there any pictures online of what these suites look like? I can't seem to find them on the Westin website, and I would like to know what it is I'm purchasing before I purchase it.
I never found pictures of the suites before I reserved one last year. I meant to take pictures last AC, but I forgot :-\
I did have an opportunity to see both types of suites at AC this past year, so let's see if I can give an accurate description.
The Corner Suite
At the point of the hotel hallway that forms the outside of the building's L-shape, there's a room situated with a diagonal door. That's the corner suite, one per floor. When you enter, there's a bedroom to the left with a single king bed in it, with a bathroom inside the bedroom. A corridor from the main room door leads to a small living room, with a TV, a couch, and a table with chairs.
1 and 2-Bedroom Parlor Suites
These are scattered throughout the hotel, with at least one per floor. If there's one on the floor, it's usually down the hall from the corner suite (away from the elevator). The parlor takes up the same amount of space as two regular rooms (in fact, the architecture is nearly identical to two rooms with the connecting wall removed), which is quite a lot of space when you replace the beds with regular furniture. The parlor room's door (there's only one, despite the size) opens to a wide foyer area (where a bathroom would normally be), with the living area taking up the rest of the space. There's usually a couch and chairs with a coffee table on one side of the room, and a dining table with chairs on the other side. And, on the other side of the parlor room (where another entry door would be if it were a regular room), there's a bathroom and another closet.
The parlor room is adjoined by a regular king room on one side, and a regular double room on the other side, each with their own bathrooms. So, if you get a two-bedroom parlor suite, you're basically renting two regular rooms plus the parlor.
I'll be out in Pittsburgh in a few weeks, and will see if Jaime will let me sneak in to get a picture of the suite parlors.
Actually, I found myself in Pittsburgh this past weekend.
The parlor suite: Four views, taken from the four corners of the parlor. The doors that you see at opposite sides of the room lead to the two bedrooms.
View 1
View 2
View 3
View 4 (with my hat on the table)
The corner suite: A very small parlor, so small that only two views are shown from two corners.
And finally, a standard king-bed room. Double rooms are the same, but with two double beds.
jesus i wish i could afford the suite..next year..oh yes...
Mrow-a-purr
Judging by the camera perspective - I would have to say that your "work outs" are making you...Taller...somehow.
The economy is cracked, I don't think there will be as many attendees this year as in the past due to the swaying economy, however, in 2007 the amount of attendees did increase.
I feel it is much to expensive, although my logic is that everything is too expensive, gas, bills, food, etc. I can see why being a fine artist may sometimes be difficult, but that kind of thing is not for me, unless the art I create is my own on balsa wood. Anyways, the price being 40$ to get the membership for the con, then the money to actually pay for the hotel, then food. One could be looking at near 900$ to spend at the con.
My biggest issue is getting a job, I need something with advertising and design to help further along my degree and help me get paid, if I get that, I'm golden for the con, and don't have to worry about the expensiveness involved!
The economy is cracked, I don't think there will be as many attendees this year as in the past due to the swaying economy, however, in 2007 the amount of attendees did increase.
You know, I had low expectations for any increase in attendance at Midwest FurFest last year (just two months ago now) and MFF saw an increase in attendance of 18%, the same as the previous year. I think it's a bit early to start forecasting doom and gloom.
---
Tom Brady/Duncan da Husky
Artists Alley and Con Store Manager
For fastest replies to questions about Artists Alley, e-mail me at
It is always possible that Anthrocon attendance may decrease. It happened between 2004 and 2005, for example, though there were difficult circumstances that year (Like, say, our planned hotel being SOLD and TORN DOWN).
However, Anthrocon has increased in attendance at an average rate of over 17% a year since its founding. This year pre-registrations are continuing solidly, we filled our Primary hotel a week quicker than last year with a deposit collected at time of reservation, and these are positive signs.
My personal estimation is that Anthrocon shall be between 3700-3999[*1] attendees this year. That number will be refined as we get closer, as we've got rather good methods of estimation that we can iteratively apply.
--Chi
[*1] I will not mention the number which is one above 3999. That is a scary number. It hides under the bed and threatens me in my innocent slumbers.
Personally, I think attendance at the larger cons will go up and the smaller ones will go down. People want more bang for the buck, and you get that at a larger con. I have had to cut 2 smaller cons from this next year, but will go to Anthro and MFF every year no matter what, even if I have to hitch-hike in a fursuit!
Jeefers
Well, smaller cons will more likely draw a more local audience; there may be folks who look at travel costs and decide that a smaller, more local convention is where to focus their attendance. But Anthrocon and other large conventions do provide excellent value.
We'll just have to see. I know *I'll* be at Anthrocon!
[*1] I will not mention the number which is one above 3999. That is a scary number. It hides under the bed and threatens me in my innocent slumbers.
--
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No! Bad kitty! Bad kitty! We don't say that word!
I'll just go fetch some smelling salts for chiaro...
(X_X)
My personal estimation is that Anthrocon shall be between 3700-3999[*1] attendees this year.
Dear God, help us.
I'm thrilled and frightened out of my mind at the same time.
But, we will be ready. I have a great deal of faith in my colleagues and those who helps us. We continue to succeed year after year, and 2009 will be no exception! It's going to be grand. 
You know, I seem to remember a song from the Dorsi in Anthrocon's past with the line "When 3,000 came to Anthrocon" and our Chairman having a panic attack.
Just how many years before we need to remove the airwall between Halls B and C, Kage?
Ahh, forum posters. Proudly making board members twitch for lo these many years... 
Hey Kage, are there any suites left available or was I far far too late in finding out I had to contact you? Sent an e-mail but its not the first time I've tried contacting you by that medium and I'm starting to seriously wonder if you can recieve AOL e-mails (a lot of clients block them).
Since I won't be involved this year, and it will be my first time to go two years from now (college prevents me from going, but I am going to make it!), could anyone tell me when one should get registered to stay in the westin? almost half a year left and already the westin is almost full, would it be right to prepare for it almost a year prior?