Anthrocon 2006
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Anthrocon 2006 took place from June 15 to 18, 2006 at the Westin Hotel and David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the first time in its ten year history, Anthrocon was not held in July, but rather in June. The convention was moved from Philadelphia (where it was in 2005) to Pittsburgh.
- Theme: Making History
- Attendance: 2,489
- Charity: Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage
Contents
Venue[edit]
After the Adams Mark was scheduled for demolition, Anthrocon was forced to seek new accommodation on very short notice. While the Wyndham Philadelphia locale was adequate during the 2005 convention, it was determined even before July 2005 that a new location would be required. As Philadelphia was showing no signs of providing an affordable venue that was acceptable to the demands and budget of a large-scale convention on terms that the convention directors could accept, the decision was made to switch to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The new facility, which features a separate hotel and convention space, appeared to alleviate most issues which had come up in the past conventions as well as provided enough space for a substantial Dealers Room, Artists Alley, and other 'permanent' programming space.
Guests of Honor[edit]
Anthrocon's Guests of Honor for 2006 were:
- Writer/animator/cartoonist/artist Scott Shaw!
- Science fiction and fantasy author Diane Duane
- Filk musician Tom Smith
Board of directors[edit]
- Dr. Samuel Conway (Uncle Kage) - Chairman of the Board
- John "K.P." Cole - Programming
- Brian Harris - Charity Auction, Masquerade
- Karl "Xydexx" Jorgensen - Publications
- Peter Kappesser - Art show
- Phaedra "Wyldekyttin" Meyer - Dealers' Room
- Douglas Muth (Giza) - Operations
- Tigerwolf (George Nemeyer) - Internet Room
- Phillip "Bennie" Pollard - Registration
- Steve "SimbaLion" Hopps - Audio/Video
Interesting facts[edit]
- A lone brick - all that remained from old Adams Mark hotel - was sold at the charity auction for $200.
- $5,845 was raised for the Western Pennsylvania National Wild Animal Orphanage
- Pre-registered attendance counts topped at 2,489 people. This is a record over that of Anthrocon 2004. It also caused the "death" of one of the registration badge printers, specifically the printer which was responsible for the six-hour waits in the registration line at Anthrocon 2003.
- The total of all on site registrations and one day passes over the entire 10-year history of Anthrocon was approximately 15,000.
- 191 fursuiters attended the fursuit parade
- 2 the Ranting Gryphon was a notable appearance.
Problems[edit]
While for the most part the fan reception of Anthrocon 2006 was very positive, there were some problems.
- Many had issues with Anthrocon's move to a union-run establishment, which was forced upon it mostly due to size constraints. Some dealers chafed at the requirement of waiting for Teamsters to unload their work from the loading dock rather than doing it themselves - not that they were inefficient while working, but there were only a few of them and they were sometimes on breaks.[1] Some got around this by carrying in material via the door from the hotel, which was permitted as long as the cart they carried their goods on was small enough to fit inside an airplane overhead baggage compartment. According to PeterCat: the Teamsters "required a break every 2 hours and a 30-minute unpaid lunch period after 4," but were easier to deal with than volunteers in many respects.[2] There were similar problems with food in the convention area, which had to be bought at the concession stands, and many snuck food in to avoid paying $7 for a cheeseburger.[3]
- Many room signs (some of which were original works of art) put up by fans were unceremoniously removed by hotel staff, in part because at least one was held on with duct tape, which could be expected to damage the paint on removal.[4] One person retaliated by removing the room numbers from six rooms, which cost Anthrocon $400 in damages (negotiated down from $600). Anthrocon also took a $6,000 charge when it turned out that dealers would have to pay $52 each (rather than $10) for city taxes, a cost absorbed by the con.[5]
- Spazfox's show turned out not to have nearly adequate space (a larger room was eventually booked for 2007). The fursuit parade also conflicted with the end of the art show auction as it wound through the dealer's room.[6]
- The Frozen Oasis party on Friday night was forced to close around 50 minutes after it started due to complaints from hotel management and at least one person in another room.[7] Party members asserted that some of the Dorsai Irregulars threatened to remove con badges from those entering and leaving the room unless it was shut down.[8][9] It was suggested that future parties be moved to a room in a separate hotel so that they would not be directly associated with the convention.
- There was also the standard couple of dislocations, broken bones, and one person getting wheeled off in an ambulance after supposedly overdosing on an "experimental drug" in private.[10] Most of this appeared to happen on Sunday, after the convention programming had concluded.
Media coverage[edit]
Anthrocon 2006 was covered in the local media, beginning in February with a news brief item Fur Ball In the Works in the Pittsburgh City Paper. Coverage tended towards neutral-to-positive.
- 'Furries' Descend On Golden Triangle/The Furries Are Here from WTAE-TV 4
- Furries Descend On Pittsburgh broadcast and article from KDKA.
- It's a furry weekend in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- All about 'furry fandom' at confab in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Animal Passions in the Pittsburgh City Paper.
Anthrocon 2006 was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records 2008 as the "Largest Furry Fan Club"[11]
Financials[edit]
Anthrocon, Inc. started the year with $72144.75 in assets, including $40050.98 in cash (and temporary cash investments). They ended the year with $75057.86 in assets, including $37544.09 in cash. Liabilities were zero, making their gain/loss for the year $2913.11 ($-2506.89 in cash), and their net balance $75057.86.
Their total revenue was $147427.57, of which $121860 was from memberships, $24507 was from donations, $845 was from advertising and $7691.32 was from merchandise, after accounting for the cost of goods sold. The net income/loss of special events (included in revenue) was $-7475.75.
Their expenses came to $149934.36, of which $25060.90 was for occupancy, $31498.11 for equipment rental and maintenance, $15435.78 for catering, $19146 for labor and $12078.09 for printing.
Source: Anthrocon, Inc. Form 990 (description) from Foundation Center
Note: These financials provide just a brief overview, and should be considered in context. Each convention has its own situation, which may change from year to year. Special events (like art shows) that are part of a charity's mission are usually run at a loss. Conventions typically have many other expenses which may come to far more than those listed. Check the source for further details.
Events[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ How do I hate Unions. 2006 June 15 post by Rabbi Tom to his LiveJournal. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ Comment about the Teamsters. 2006 June 22 comment by PeterCat to Anthrocon LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ Report of concession cheeseburgers for $7. 2006 June 21 comment by Animakitty to Anthrocon LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ Fantastic con everyone!. Thread started on 2006 June 21 by KurtBatz mainly discussing the removal of signs, posted to Anthrocon LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ The Chairman's view of Anthrocon 2006. 2006 June 23 post by Uncle Kage to his LiveJournal. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ Programming Redux. 2006 June 22 post by Kuddle Pup to Anthrocon LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ A comment about the Frozen Oasis party posted by Uncle Kage on 2006 June 24 to his LiveJournal. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ First-paw account of ANTHROCON 2006. 2006 June 21 post by Jaspian Stealthpaw to The Frozen Oasis LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ FYI Cross posted in my journal. 2006 June 22 post by Joelly to The Frozen Oasis LiveJournal community that is repost of recollections of The Frozen Oasis door guard (Aerun Wolfsong) about The Frozen Oasis party. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ Comment by chlorophyta/Seth posted by 2006 June 21 in The rumor mill thread started by Thrashbear to Anthrocon LiveJournal community. Retrieved 2006 August 2.
- ↑ "Omg furry in Record Book" scanned by JaketehFoxx
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
- Photos, videos, reports: Anthrocon 2006 resources