CatCon, a convention centered on feline culture, offers attendees a variety of consumer experiences ranging from complimentary products to high-end merchandise. According to attendee reports from the event, participants can expect to receive free swag, including gourmet cat food samples and coupons for cat litter. The event is described as featuring a significant number of companies specializing in luxury cat accessories, furniture, and toys. Additionally, the convention serves as a gathering point for internet-famous cats and industry personalities.
Free Samples and Promotional Offers
Attendees at CatCon reported receiving various free items, often referred to as "swag." Specific freebies mentioned include: * Gourmet Cat Food: Bags of high-end cat food were distributed as samples. * Cat Litter: Coupons for a free box of cat litter were offered, with reports indicating that no purchase was necessary to redeem these coupons. * General Swag: Other complimentary items included stickers, buttons, and candy.
While these samples were available, one report noted a personal hesitation regarding the "try before you buy" concept when applied to animal food, though the availability of the free samples was confirmed.
Luxury Products and Merchandise
The convention featured a wide array of vendors selling luxury items for cats. Attendees had access to products ranging from practical to excessive. Specific items and categories mentioned include: * Feeding Technology: Automatic treat feeders equipped with live video streams, allowing owners to view their cats remotely. * Furniture: Large-scale cat trees, including a 7-foot-tall space shuttle design and modern furniture featuring customizable kitty hammocks. * Design-Forward Items: A notable product was the Katris cat tree, constructed from cardboard and designed to resemble a 3D version of the game Tetris. These pieces are sold separately and can be stacked in various configurations. * Toys and Accessories: Handmade items, such as felt catnip toys shaped like chocolate truffles, were also available for purchase.
In addition to luxury goods, merchandise related to internet-famous cats was highly popular. The Pusheen booth was noted as being the most packed, with attendees purchasing various merchandise items. Pusheen is described as a "fatally adorable pudgy cat" known for Facebook sticker sets and Tumblr animations.
Celebrity Appearances and Panels
CatCon serves as a venue for meeting "celebrikitties" and industry figures. Attendees reported meeting social media-famous cats, specifically mentioning @nala_cat, identified as the most followed cat on Instagram.
The event also hosted several panels featuring creators and internet personalities: * Simon Tofield: Creator of the animated YouTube series "Simon’s Cat." * Ben Huh: CEO of Cheezburger, who participated in a panel titled "How Cats Have Changed the Internet." * Will Braden: Creator of "Henri, Le Chat Noir," who appeared in the "Catvidfest Favorites" panel. * Jack McBrayer: The 30 Rock actor reportedly made an appearance at the Lil BUB panel.
Event Logistics and Atmosphere
Reports describe the convention as well-organized for a first-year event of its size. While the atmosphere was crowded—with one source noting that "the cat love is almost overwhelming"—attendees appreciated the opportunity to interact with other cat enthusiasts. Suggestions for improvement included increasing the number of food trucks available on-site and expanding the schedule to include more workshops, panels, and contests. CatCon has been described as an event where cat parents can discuss product preferences, such as cat litter, and engage with brands directly.