Cats are very popular on the internet. That is undeniable fact. If you type the term “cat” into any gif generator or image search engine, you’ll be flooded with animated images and humorous memes about the gorgeous, fluffy critters. If your cat passion is on a whole new level, and you’re seeking for a way to share it with others, we’ve got exactly the location for you: CatCon, a once-in-a-lifetime cat-loving experience. In 2019, the event will be in its fifth year, with a two-day festival dedicated to all things feline. This isn’t a minor occurrence, either. CatCon attracts up to 18,000 attendees and attracts both human and feline celebrities.
Nerdist.com writes (source below):
Susan Michals, the founder of CatCon, recently spoke with Nerdist about the cat-tastic event. After the success of her Cat Art Show in 2015, the lifelong cat lover established the event in an attempt to honor the animal and avoid the negative connotations that come with cat ownership. “Fanaticism does not have to be a bad thing,” Michals said. “It just implies you’re enthusiastic.” I’ve tapped into a community of animal lovers that are devoted to their dogs to the point where it affects how they live their life.”
Here’s everything Michals taught us about CatCon and what to expect at this year’s event. Millennials are huge fans of cat-related content. Michals was heavily influenced by the millennial generation’s obsession with cats. As previously said, cats are always popular on the internet, and Michals predicted that this fervor will extend to marketing and events. “There was this untapped younger demo of cat lovers,” she added, noting that the first CatCon, held in 2015, drew roughly 12,000 people. Ninety percent of the 12,000 were millennials. It turns out that we’re not just buying avocado toast with our money; we’re also keeping the cat market afloat!
Cat “celebrities” travel long distances to attend.
The opportunity to meet famous cats and cat owners is one of the most exciting things for cat lovers. CatCon offers that possibility with their sponsored meet and greets, in which attendees pay to meet well-known internet cats, with the majority of the proceeds benefiting animal-related organizations and shelters. CatCon has already hosted cats such as Lil’ Bub, however Michals claims she prefers up-and-coming talent to big stars. She confesses, “We prefer to be the launching pad.”
This year, participants will get the opportunity to meet Instagram cats such as The Dark Lord, Pudge, Sukiicat, and many others. They can also get a photo with Angela Kinsey, who played the cat-obsessed Angela Martin on NBC’s The Office, who is one of TV’s most famous cat lovers. The proceeds from Angela’s picture sessions will benefit Milo’s Sanctuary.
CatCon isn’t a place where people bring their cats, but it is a place where you may adopt a cat.
CatCon attracts a lot of visitors, but most of them are two-legged. Outside cats are not permitted in the event, with the exception of celebrity cat guests. “Imagine if 16 to 18,000 people brought their animals as well,” Michals said. “There’d be catfights!” says the narrator.
But that doesn’t rule out the presence of real cats at CatCon. The Best Friends Animal Society, a renowned national animal welfare group dedicated to stopping the slaughter of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, will bring many cats and kittens of various ages to CatCon, where they will be available for adoption at the Adoption Village. CatCon has helped 504 cats find homes so far, and they intend to increase that number in 2019
Kitty Cosplay is a competition held at CatCon.
Have you ever fancied dressing up like your favorite feline? CatCon is on your side! The Furr-ocious Fashion Face-Off allows attendees to dress up and show their stuff in their best cat apparel. Only the most spectacular contestant has a chance to win. One memorable prior contestant, according to Michals, wore a jumpsuit covered with hundreds of cat plushies. “In 2016, he won the’most fierce,'” she said of the winner. The Furr-ocious Fashion Face-Off requires a lot of creativity. We’re excited to see what everyone comes up with this year!
CatCon is getting bigger
This year’s CatCon will undoubtedly be the largest in the event’s history. The event will also feature a new activation: Purradise City, a cat-centric pop-up experience with six connected locations with varied themes, great for your Instagram feed. Michals claims that the immersive “city” would “harken back to the mix of cats and pop culture.” Purradise City, where “the litter is clean and the cats are gorgeous,” as Michals teases, will contain rooms dedicated to “kitty kitsch,” funhouse mirrors, and a “infinity chamber” sponsored by Temptations cat treats that includes kitty treat packages and LED lights, is included in your CatCon ticket.
The ASPCA, Purina, Kat Von D Beauty, and others are among the CatCon sponsors this year, in addition to Temptations. Attendees will receive a plethora of free swag, get to meet their favorite internet kitties, and create memories that will last a lifetime. “This is a cat lover’s paradise,” Michals added. “It’s a cat-friendly Comic-Con.”
The Pasadena Convention Center will host CatCon 2019 on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30. On the official CatCon website, you can learn more about the event and purchase tickets.
Source: https://nerdist.com/article/5-things-we-learned-about-catcon-the-worlds-largest-cat-themed-convention/
