Anthro Weekend Utah (AWU)

Anthro Weekend Utah (AWU) has completely cemented itself as the undisputed powerhouse furry convention of the Intermountain West! Operating out of the fantastic Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah, this wildly beloved regional event exploded from a small local gathering into a massive 2,600+ attendee titan. AWU is globally renowned within the fandom for its incredibly warm, deeply inclusive community atmosphere and its utterly massive dedication to local animal charities.

2026: PAWsific Rim

Scheduled perfectly for the peak summer weekend of July 31 - August 2, 2026, AWU is unleashing an absolutely epic theme: "PAWsific Rim"!

Diving headfirst into a spectacular "Mechs vs. Kaiju" aesthetic (brilliantly dubbed the Anthro Warrior Unit), attendees can expect massive, high-concept cosplay, incredibly creative themed panels, and incredible production value. AWU excels at community-driven events, dedicating heavy programming space to highly energetic charity auctions, fursuit games, and late-night casino events. Their philanthropic impact is genuinely staggering—they recently raised over $36,800 for groups like Nuzzles & Co., making every ticket purchase a direct contribution to local wildlife and rescue efforts.

Getting There

Layton is perfectly positioned for seamless Utah transit:

• Flying: The massive Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) serves as the primary hub, located less than 30 minutes straight down the I-15 corridor from the convention space.
• The FrontRunner Rail: You absolutely do not need to fight rental car traffic! The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) operates the brilliant FrontRunner commuter rail. Attendees can catch the train from the SLC hub straight into Layton Station, which sits remarkably close to the convention footprint.

Accommodation

The venue setup creates a vibrant, incredibly walkable community bubble:

• The Main Hub (Davis Conference Center): The convention operates directly out of this massive, beautifully equipped conference space, ensuring huge footprints for the Dealers Den and mainstage events.
• The Attached Grid: The absolute holy grail of AWU housing is the Hilton Garden Inn, which is directly, seamlessly attached to the convention center!
• The Walkable Overflow: Because AWU's massive growth outpaces single hotels, the immediate area features extremely close, highly walkable properties like the Home2 Suites and TownePlace Suites, allowing attendees to effortlessly stay within the convention's energy radius.

Highlights

• The Titan of the Intermountain West: A massive, 2,600+ attendee convention serving as the definitive furry gathering for the Utah region.
• PAWsific Rim: A staggeringly cool Mechs vs. Kaiju theme anchoring the Summer 2026 event run.
• Flawless Utah Transit: Brilliant, highly affordable access via Salt Lake City (SLC) and the UTA FrontRunner rail system.
• A Seamless Convention Bubble: Operating out of the massive Davis Conference Center with an incredibly convenient attached footprint of luxury hotels.