World Science Fiction Convention
The World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) is a large annual science fiction convention run by the World Science Fiction Society. It has a primarily literary focus, but encompasses all branches of science fiction fandom.
History
The first Worldcon, later known as Nycon I, was held July 2-4, 1939 at Caravan Hall in New York City. About 200 people attended. Attendance dropped at the next two conventions, in Chicago and Denver respectively, and then Worldcon went on hiatus due to World War II.
It returned in 1946 with Pacificon, its first visit to the West Coast, in Los Angeles. The first Worldcon held outside the United States was Torcon in Toronto, two years later.
The next innovation was the Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953 by the 11th Worldcon, in Philadelphia. The awards were not presented the next year, but have been every year since 1955.
The first few Worldcons were attended almost exclusively by fans from North America, but as they grew, they began to live up to their name. 1957 saw the first Worldcon outside North America, LonCon I, held in London, England. The first to be hosted by a country whose primary language was not English was Heicon '70, held in 1970 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Administration and operation
Worldcon is administered by the World Science Fiction Society, whose membership is defined as the membership of the current Worldcon.
A Worldcon begins its life as a bid to host the convention in a particular city in a particular year. The bid may have a different or smaller committee than will be running the convention, should the bid win. Bid promotion is financed by selling "pre-supporting" memberships, which are converted into supporting memberships if the bid wins, as well as the resources of the local science fiction club behind it.
When a bid wins the site selection vote, money from the voting fees provides the next funding. The Worldcon then also sells attending memberships.
The committee, staff, and people involved in running the convention at all levels are essentially unpaid volunteers, though gifts such as T-shirts may be given to volunteers who put in a certain number of hours, and some Worldcons will provide full or partial membership fee refunds to program participants afterward if funds permit. Guests of Honor have their travel, hotel, and food expenses covered, but are not typically compensated beyond that.
Membership
An attending membership gives the member the right to attend the entire Worldcon, as well as vote in site selection, and, if purchased early enough, to nominate for and vote on the Hugo Awards.
Single-day admission is available during the convention. Technically, according to the WSFS constitution, this does not constitute a membership, but nevertheless, these are usually called "one-day memberships".
A supporting membership confers the same voting rights as an attending membership, at a reduced fee, but not the right to attend the convention. Worldcons allow for these to be converted to attending memberships for an additional fee.
Pre-supporting memberships are sold by Worldcon bids and are converted into supporting memberships if the bid wins. Pre-supporters typically get a discount on converting to attending memberships. Modern bids have invented a number of additional pre-support categories for people who wish to make larger donations.
Features of a modern Worldcon
Worldcons now run five days, usually starting on a Thursday afternoon and ending on a Monday afternoon. Though Labor Day weekend has long the traditional time to hold a Worldcon, bids are more and more frequently aiming at weekends in August to accommodate attendees from outside the US, as well as families within the US who are facing earlier starts to school years.
Attendance numbers in the thousands, but varies a great deal depending on the location, the guests of honor, and the state of the economy.
The Guests of Honor include at least one writer, at least one artist, and at least one well-known fan. Worldcons can have multiple guests in one category, and invent additional categories as they choose.
The Worldcon is held at a convention center and will also make use of space in adjoining hotels.
Major events
Opening ceremonies
At the start of the convention, the chairman officially welcomes the members and introduces the guests of honor.
Masquerade
A costume contest, held by International Costumers' Guild rules, followed by a "halftime show" to keep the audience entertained while the judges make up their minds. In a Thursday-to-Monday convention, this is usually held Friday night.
Hugo Awards ceremony
Worldcons are required by WSFS to present the Hugo Awards. In a Thursday-to-Monday convention, this usually happens on Saturday night.
Closing ceremonies
At the close of the convention, the chairman thanks the attendees and guests, and hands over the ceremonial gavel to the chairman of the next Worldcon.
Publisher and author events
In addition to being a fan get-together, Worldcon serves many of the same functions as a book fair for the science-fiction world. The major publishers host parties there, and some will also have "coming soon" presentations as part of regular con programming.
Autograph sessions are held for such writers as volunteer to do them, and some Worldcons also have "kaffeeklatsches", where a small group of fans can sign up to spend some time chatting with an author.
Other programming
Discussion panels
The vast majority of scheduled Worldcon programming consists of panel discussions. Topics include not only science fiction, fantasy, and various sorts of fandom, but thingss of interest to fans, including science, technology, the business of sf, politics, history, and pretty much anything else.
Film and video
At least one room is set aside for showing films, TV shows, and fan videos. It's becoming traditional to include a separate anime room.
Gaming
Worldcons are expected to have both open and scheduled gaming, of all the types found at gaming conventions.
Filking
Filking is accommodated with concerts in the evening and open filksings later at night, held in rooms used by panels during the day.
Academic track
One track of programming is reserved for the presentation of academic papers relating to science fiction and fantasy. Usually the Worldcon will announce a theme for the track.
Other features
WSFS business meeting
Worldcon being a meeting of the World Science Fiction Society, there is a meeting to discuss WSFS business.
Site selection
The site of a Worldcon is chosen at the Worldcon two years before it. All members of the voting Worldcon are eligible to vote, but must pay an additional fee to do so. In exchange, all voters receive supporting memberships in the Worldcon whose site they voted on. A preferential ballot is used, with options for "None of the Above" and "No Preference".
Bids are permitted to advertise the better points of their cities, their facilities, and their committee members, but are not permitted to reveal their guests of honor until winning the site vote. The would-be guests of losing bids are not revealed.
Dealers' room
A space for commercial dealers to conduct their business. Books are, naturally, the most common item available.
Art show
A space for the exhibition and purchase of artwork. Most of the art is purchased through bidding, with the first few bids recorded on sheets at the art show. Works receiving more than a certain minimum number of bids go on to a live auction on the last or next-to-last day of the convention.
Hospitality suite
A suite in one of the con hotels where attendees can hang out and get some free snacks.
Fanzine lounge
A space where fanzines are displayed, some for free, some for sale, and some just to look at, with room to sit and read.
Exhibits
There is also an area set aside for exhibits related to science fiction, science, and technology. This usually includes an exhibit on the history of Worldcon, and one on fandom local to wherever the Worldcon is being held that year.