FAQ

Anthrocon Charity Auction FAQ (2008 v10.0)

Rigel — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:53:05 -0700

Overview: Anthrocon's selected charity for 2008 is the Pittsburgh Parrot Rescue. To declare your intent to donate to the Anthrocon Charity Auction, please send an email to charity-2008(at)anthrocon.org stating your name, email address, and what you intend to donate.

Please be sure to read the FAQ below and the Charity Auction Rules web page.

Art Show Artist Payment Questions

PeterCat — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:32:26 -0700

Sales Commission
Payment Deadline
You returned the artwork I left behind, but some of it is missing!
When will I get my check?
How can I get paid faster?
What if my check gets lost or destroyed?
Will I get paid faster if I complain to Kage, or in public, about it?
Will I find out the price each piece sold for, and who bought it?
Sales Commission:

No more than 15% (12.5% for those who paid for space in the Dealers Room); see rules

Payment Deadline:

45 days (August 20, 2007)

You returned the artwork I left behind, but some of it is missing!

Art Show Space Reservation Questions

PeterCat — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:31:35 -0700

Reservation Postmark Deadline
Reservation Fee
Panel Size
OK, I've received the packet. Ack!! What do I do to reserve space?
Do I need to read all the rules and info?? It's a freakin' book!
How come you don't do all this online?
The deadline's tomorrow (or I missed the deadline)! Shouldn't I send it by an express delivery service?
Do you have a jury for the Art Show?
Are mats or frames required? Can I use glass frames?
I don't want my space to be next to Artist x, or Please put me next to Artist y.

Artists Alley Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:51:01 -0700

How does Artists Alley work?
Can I reserve a spot in Artists Alley now?
How can I sign up and get my seat in Artists Alley when I have to hang my art in the Art Show at 10 AM on Friday?
Isn't Artists Alley just for artists who aren't good enough to get a dealer table?

How does Artists Alley work?

Artists Alley is a place for artists to exhibit and sell works of their own creation. There is no charge for a table in Artists Alley; however, the table space is limited and seats are distributed each morning by lottery. Anthrocon handles all sales at a central table and pays artists in cash for the pieces sold at the end of each day.

Can I reserve a spot in Artists Alley now?

General Art Show Questions

PeterCat — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:33:24 -0700

How do I get art show space?
If I submit art for the Art Show, is there the same requirement for tax registration as there is for dealers?
Will there be any art there that is not appropriate for younger attendees?
How can I help with the Art Show?
Why don't you computerize this stuff? Barcodes rule!

Art Show Bidding Questions

PeterCat — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:32:03 -0700

I bid on some artwork, but I don't know if I won it -- they won't let me in, there are a lot of people waiting, my ride's leaving, etc.
I was the high bidder on some artwork, but wasn't able to pick it up at the con. What happens now?

I bid on some artwork, but I don't know if I won it -- they won't let me in, there are a lot of people waiting, my ride's leaving, etc.

Why Pittsburgh?

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:50:55 -0700

The City of Pittsburgh at night.

Why did the con move to Pittsburgh?

We had been looking for a larger venue even before the Adams Mark shut down. The big trick was finding a place that (a) we could afford, (b) that our membership could afford to attend, (c) was big enough for our purposes and had enough hotel rooms for everyone, and (d) was not already booked solid through the next decade. Three out of four was not going to be good enough.

Naturally we started our search in the Philadelphia area, and we were quite surprised to find that there was nothing that fit the bill. We'd be told, "Sure, we've got lots of space! We can give you a special rate of $199 per night per room!" or "Our rooms are only $88 per night. And we have ONE HUNDRED FIFTY of them!" (We need at least six hundred). The search area expanded again and again, with the chairman getting particularly worried about the commute for himself and his senior staff.

That was about when the City of Pittsburgh contacted the chairman and asked to be considered as a new home for Anthrocon. As a native Pennsylvanian the chairman was skeptical, since he remembered Pittsburgh as a gritty and soot-caked steel town. He was surprised, however, to see that the city had undergone a stunning transformation into a green, well-manicured and upscale metropolis. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center beckoned, with hundreds of thousands of square feet just waiting to be transformed into a Furry Mecca; the gorgeous Westin Hotel with its 600 rooms would make any event organizer's mouth water. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau lobbied hard to get Anthrocon to move -- as far as we know it was the first time in history that a city had actually asked to host a Furry convention -- and overall, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

What else is there to do in Pittsburgh?

The City of Pittsburgh offers an incredible variety of things to see and do. Whether you're the parent of a young Furry looking to keep occupied while the kid is at panels or you're a Furry yourself thinking to stay an extra few days, you can find just about anything within a few miles of the Convention Center. Click here for a list of things to get you started.

Registration Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:56:49 -0700

Can I register on-line?
Can I register via mail?
Can I register at the door?
Are there one-day registrations?
Where do I go to register or pick up my badge?
What sort of ID do I need?
I just realized I cannot go. Can I get a refund?
I registered as a dealer. (or I was registered as a dealer's assistant.) Do I need to buy a registration?
What sort of identification will I need when I pick up my badge?
How will I know I have registered?
I didn't see the notification email. Is there another way to verify the status of my registration?

Events and Programming Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:56:46 -0700

What kind of programming will you have?
How do I get to be a panelist?
Can I hold my wedding at Anthrocon?
Can I use Anthrocon's programming space for a private function?
Why don't you have more programming involving puppets (or costumes, or writing, or spirituality, or Chinese checkers, or...)?

What kind of programming will you have?

We have a very diverse slate of programs ranging from workshops to panel discussions to live entertainment. We will post our schedule a few weeks prior to the convention.

How do I get to be a panelist?

Hotel Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:50:59 -0700

Note: If you plan on using a debit card to pay for your hotel room,
please read this FAQ entry on debit cards.

I heard that some hotels will put an immediate charge on your credit card when you make a reservation. Do I have to worry about that?
I tried to make a reservation online and it said the hotel was sold out. What do I do?
I want to reserve a room, but I do not have (or do not want to use) a credit card. What do I do?
How many people are we allowed to have in a hotel room?
Do the Westin's elevators work?
Does the hotel have high-speed internet access?

Dance Questions

Giza — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:05:38 -0700

Overview:

Anthrocon's dances are a great opportunity to unwind after an exciting day at the convention. Stop by the Spirit of Pittsburgh ballroom on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to shake your tailfeathers until 2am!

Age Questions (for those under ages 18 and 21)

Giza — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:51:13 -0700

I am under 18 years of age. Do I need the permission of my parents to attend?
My parents do not want to let me attend by myself. Now what?
My parents don't understand what Furries are (or have gotten a bad impression). How can I explain it to them?
Can an older brother/uncle/family friend sign for me?
I have my permission form and it's all signed and notarized. Do I send it to you or do I bring it to the convention?
Can I get a hotel room on my own?
I am not yet 18, but I will be 18 before the convention. Do I have to wait until I turn 18 before I can register?
My friends all think I am weird because I am a Furry. Am I?

Guest of Honor Questions

Giza — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 08:37:13 -0700

How does Anthrocon choose its Guest of Honor each year?

The process by which we select a Guest of Honor is similar to a papal conclave and just as mysterious. Many factors are considered -- everything from their availability to budgetary concerns. There are literally dozens of people that we would like to consider in any given year, however we can only choose two or three. We hope that no one views it as a slight if we do not select a particular person. It is almost always a matter of "not quite right for this year".

International Questions

Giza — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:39:30 -0700

Do I need a visa to enter the United States?
What documentation do I need to cross the border?
In my country I am of legal age even though I'm under 18. Am I still considered a minor in the USA?
Is anyone else from my country going to be there?
I need sponsorship to come into the country. Can Anthrocon sponsor me or write a letter to the immigration authorities on my behalf?

Dealers' Room Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:56:44 -0700

Why is Anthrocon not accepting applications for dealer tables until November 13?
I am in Europe/Timbuktu/the Miliary in Iraq/etc. and I am not sure that my application will reach you if I mail it on November 13. Can I send it earlier?
I am with a group of three other dealers and we always like to sit together in a group. Won't this sytem make that impossible to arrange since all of our applications will arrive at different times?

Volunteering Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 09:04:04 -0700

How do I sign up to be a volunteer?
What volunteer opportunities are available?
I want to volunteer my services for a specific function that is not listed above. Who do I contact?
Is there a minimum age for volunteers?
I want to volunteer my services as a medical professional to run a first aid station. How do I go about it?
Can I volunteer for security?

Photography and Media Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:56:48 -0700

I heard that I'm not allowed to film home videos at the convention. Is that true?
I don't want my picture taken at all. How can I avoid it?
Can I put video that I took from the convention up on my web page?
I am a member of the media and I would like to report on this interesting convention in my magazine/TV show/newspaper/blog/radio show/etc. May I do so and how do I get a press pass?

Convention Book (conbook) Questions

Giza — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:20:39 -0700

Each year, Anthrocon produces a convention book highlighting current writing and artistic talent, plus comes packed with helpful and interesting articles. These are distributed to all of our guests and members.

What is the theme for the conbook this year?
What is the rating for submissions to the conbook?
When is the conbook deadline?
Where do I send submissions?
What is your mailing address?

Website Questions

Giza — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 19:49:43 -0700

I like your website. Who made it?

The graphic design of this website was made by Erika Leigh R. We think she rocks.

What software are your running on this website?

We run Drupal, an Open Source CMS, and an assortment of modules which provide additional functionality. You can visit their website at www.drupal.org.

Something is broken/doesn't look right on this website. What should I do?

Travel Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:50:58 -0700

What airport should I fly in to?

Pittsburgh International Airport, code PIT. You can visit their website to learn more about the airport. That site has a very useful feature that keeps track of cheap airfares to and from Pittsburgh as they come up.

Is that more expensive than Philadelphia?

That depends on where you are coming from and upon what airline. Pittsburgh is, on the average, comparable in fares to Philadelphia.

Security Questions

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 08:56:47 -0700

The Dorsai Irregulars Beret

How is security handled at Anthrocon?
How do I volunteer for security?
What does "Dorsai" mean?
How do I join the Dorsai Irregulars?
Can I carry a fake weapon at the con?
A (former boyfriend, disgruntled employee, Al Qaida terrorist, etc.) has threatened me. Can you keep him/her out of the convention?

How is security handled at Anthrocon?

Security is provided by the Dorsai Irregulars, a team of volunteers who collectively have more than thirty years of experience in providing security to conventions such as ours.

How do I volunteer for security?

Security at the con is a full-time job, and as such we are allowing the Dorsai to operate as full staff members. They will take care of maintaining order for us; however, there are still volunteer positions such as guarding doors to the art show, etc., that we could use help with. Check in with the Con Ops at the convention to find out what is needed. You may also want to check our volunteer page.

What does "Dorsai" mean?

This question is answered by the DI's own John Hall:

The Dorsai is the name of a planet, and of the people and culture that lives on that planet. They were created by science fiction author Gordon R. Dickson. Colonists on a resource-poor planet, they survived by becoming super-competent warriors and hiring themselves out to other societies. There are a good dozen Dorsai books (more properly known as "The Childe Cycle"). "Dorsai", "The Tactics of Mistake", "Soldier, Ask Not", and "Lost Dorsai" are the best to start with.

We, however, are the Dorsai Irregulars. Our story is that in every society there are misfits, and the Dorsai world is no exception. We're the guys who don't like getting up at dawn to drill and march in straight lines. We live in a swamp in a remote area of the planet. We like to sleep 'til noon, and win battles by stealth and trickery. The "regular" Dorsai soldiers think we're a disgrace, but grudgingly admit that we're effective. We often get the weirder off-plant contracts, like riding herd on 2500 furries for a weekend.

The fact of the matter is that our founder, Robert Asprin, was a big fan of Dickson's work, and thought that "Dorsai Irregulars" was a good name for the security and operations group he was putting together.

How do I join the Dorsai Irregulars?

Membership to the Dorsai Irregulars is by invitation only. The membership selection process is somewhat complicated, but an attempt to explain it is over in this forum post.

Can I carry a fake weapon at the con?

To avoid alarming anyone and to avoid any unnecessary injuries, we have a strict policy regarding weapons. No weapons, real OR artificial, can be carried at Anthrocon except as part of a masquerade skit (see the full Standards of Conduct for details). In short, if it looks like a weapon, we don't want you carrying it.

A (former boyfriend, disgruntled employee, Al Qaida terrorist, etc.) has threatened me. Can you keep him/her out of the convention?

The safety and comfort of our members is of paramount importance to us; however, we have only limited options. The issue is covered in the appropriate section of our Standards of Conduct:

Anthrocon is not responsible for solving any interpersonal problems that may arise between individual members. In general, we can take no action to prevent a person from attending the convention unless that person has made a specific and credible threat toward the convention itself. If you feel that a threat exists against your person, we advise you to seek a restraining order against the individual in question and to present it to the chairman in advance of the convention; otherwise, we recommend simply avoiding that individual. If that individual stalks, harasses, or attempts to assault you at the convention itself, you may report that individual to a member of the security staff and the appropriate action will be taken. Conversely, any attempt to have an innocent person removed from the convention by falsely accusing him or her of threats will be itself treated as an act of harassment and will be dealt with appropriately. The responsibility for settling interpersonal disputes lies solely with the individuals involved, and Anthrocon will not tolerate being used as a leveraging point in such disputes.

Miscellaneous

Giza — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 09:04:07 -0700

What forms of payment are accepted at Anthrocon?
How does Anthrocon handle bounced checks?
What is Anthrocon's pet policy?
Where is a good place to meet up with my friends?

What forms of payment are accepted at Anthrocon?

We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Cash (U.S. currency only), money orders, personal checks with appropriate I.D., and travelers' checks.

Art Show Questions

PeterCat — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:28:40 -0700

Every year, we get lots of questions about the Anthrocon Art Show. We get so many questions, that we needed to split the FAQ into the four sections below:

General Art Show Questions

Art Show Space Reservation Questions

Art Show Bidding Questions

Art Show Artist Payment Questions

Additional information, including the official Artist Packet, can be found on our Art Show Page.

Debit Card Questions

Giza — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 06:50:07 -0700

Can I use a debit card to pay for my hotel room?

We do NOT recommend using a debit card to pay for your hotel room.

Convention Center Questions

Giza — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 06:32:09 -0700

What is the street address for the David L. Lawrence Convention Center?

1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Does the David L. Lawrence Convention Center have a website?

Yes, it is at http://www.pittsburghcc.com/

Customer Service Related questions

Giza — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:09:28 -0700

I have questions or concerns about any aspect of the convention.
I have concerns about a hotel/DLCC staff member/union labor.
I have concerns about an Anthrocon staff member.

I have questions or concerns about any aspect of the convention.

Convention Date Related Questions

Giza — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 13:57:08 -0700

When will Anthrocon 2009 and 2010 be held?
Why is it so difficult to get the same date every year?

When will Anthrocon 2009 and 2010 be held?

July 2nd to 5th, 2009

June 24th to 27th, 2010

Why is it so difficult to get the same date every year?

We have to schedule around the availability of both the Westin Hotel and the Convention Center. We are not their only customer, and some of their other customers also make their reservations years in advance. (Some groups have their dates set as far ahead as 2015!)