Anthrocon 2023 Expected To Provide Big Financial Boost To Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA — Talk about furries feverish to attend this year's Anthrocon: Interest in the event at the David L. Lawrence Conventino Center is so high every room at every hotel property in the event's reserved room block sold out in less than 24 hours.

All 7,601 contracted rooms for Anthrocon 2023, Anthropolis: Our Furry City, which takes place June 29-July 2 were gone. That forced VisitPittsburgh into action, working with the tourism agency's hotel property partners to secure an additional 1,834 rooms.

Current convention room reservation totals stand at 2,187, resulting in 8,917 sold room nights.

Anthrocon is expected to attract more than 9,700 attendees to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, with an anticipated total of $10.8 million in direct spending over the four-day convention. Programming includes workshops and seminars in acting, costume-building, animation, writing,
art and design, as well as an art show.

For the uninitiated, Anthrocon is attended by self-described furries who dress in fur suits that usually enclose the body and head. Their dedication to the furry cause is such that they don't mind profusely sweating in garb Anthrocon officials say easily can reach temperatures of 110 degrees in a matter of minutes.

Officials of VisitPittsburgh, which has worked with Anthrocon since 20o6, said they are delighted the furries have again selected Pittsburgh to host the international convention.

The tourism agency is "providing logistical and promotional support for the convention, including planned citywide events such as the Anthrocon Block Party and Parade that will take place on July 1," VisitPittsburgh President & CEO Jerad Bachar said. "And yes, once again,
our local Pittsburgh community is invited to take part in the fun."