Difference between revisions of "Worldcon"
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As a service mark, not to mention proper name, "Worldcon" should always be capitalized. (Technically it may not be necessary for Worldcons held before it was made a service mark, but why split hairs?) It is incorrect (but sadly increasingly frequent) to CamelCase it as "WorldCon." | As a service mark, not to mention proper name, "Worldcon" should always be capitalized. (Technically it may not be necessary for Worldcons held before it was made a service mark, but why split hairs?) It is incorrect (but sadly increasingly frequent) to CamelCase it as "WorldCon." | ||
| − | + | In a custom begun by [[Forrest J Ackerman]] at the first Worldcon, in [[New York]] in 1939, which he dubbed [[Nycon]], every Worldcon has a [[pet name]], often associated with its location, as well as being the Nth Worldcon. | |
The Worldcon has been held since 1939 (except during 1942–45, [[World War II]]), and moves to a different city each year. It is the oldest [[sf convention]] with [[Long-running conventions|a continuing existence]]. While most Worldcons have occurred in the [[United States]], the event has been hosted by [[Australia]] (4x), [[Canada]] (5x), [[Finland]], [[Ireland]], [[Germany]], [[Japan]], the [[Netherlands]] and the [[United Kingdom]] (7x). It would have been held [[New Zealand]] in 2020 if [[Covid-19]] hadn’t forced it online, and is to be in [[China]] in 2023. | The Worldcon has been held since 1939 (except during 1942–45, [[World War II]]), and moves to a different city each year. It is the oldest [[sf convention]] with [[Long-running conventions|a continuing existence]]. While most Worldcons have occurred in the [[United States]], the event has been hosted by [[Australia]] (4x), [[Canada]] (5x), [[Finland]], [[Ireland]], [[Germany]], [[Japan]], the [[Netherlands]] and the [[United Kingdom]] (7x). It would have been held [[New Zealand]] in 2020 if [[Covid-19]] hadn’t forced it online, and is to be in [[China]] in 2023. | ||
| − | Traditionally, the Worldcon in the US was held over Labor Day weekend (the first Monday in September aka [[Roscoe]]’s Birthday | + | Traditionally, the Worldcon in the US was held over Labor Day weekend (the first Monday in September, aka [[Roscoe]]’s Birthday), a date chosen not only because most [[fans]] have the holiday off work but also because it was an unpopular weekend for [[mundane]] meetings, giving Worldcon a better position in regard to facilities. However, this is no longer the case, and since the late 1990s [[Worldcon bidders]] choose dates any time from midsummer to early fall. (Indeed, [[Dragoncon]]’s choice to hold its [[gate show]] over Labor Day has caused some Worldcons to deliberately avoid the weekend due to complaints from [[pro]]s about the conflict.) |
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See [[Convention]]. | See [[Convention]]. | ||
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| + | Officially sponsored by the the [[World Science Fiction Society]], the Worldcon is run by a different [[organization]] each year. Each [[committee]] [[worldcon bid|bids]] to run it and is selected by vote of the [[WSFS membership]] two years in advance (see [[Site Selection]]). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Worldcon Committees === | ||
| + | Each Worldcon committee is nearly always legally incorporated in the local jurisdiction. In the United States, these are usually set up as [[non-profit corporations]]. The organizers may be standalone committees, or the Worldcon may be a project of an existing [[local]] [[club]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''There is no continuing or central organization.'' ([[WSFS]] is unincorporated and has no officers or staff or budget.) Thus each Worldcon is entirely independent. Worldcon [[concoms]] ''do'' agree to be bound by the [[WSFS constitution]] in effect when they’re selected, but this is enforced entirely by [[fannish]] public opinion. (Which is surprisingly powerful!) | ||
| + | |||
| + | All [[committee]] work is done by unpaid volunteers and WSFS rules direct that any surplus be spent for the benefit of [[fandom]]. | ||
===More Reading === | ===More Reading === | ||
Revision as of 22:34, 31 May 2023
Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention, is the principal annual gathering of science fiction fandom — fandom's family reunion. The one, the only, annual world science fiction convention at which the Hugo Awards are given out. It is an entirely volunteer-run effort.
As a service mark, not to mention proper name, "Worldcon" should always be capitalized. (Technically it may not be necessary for Worldcons held before it was made a service mark, but why split hairs?) It is incorrect (but sadly increasingly frequent) to CamelCase it as "WorldCon."
In a custom begun by Forrest J Ackerman at the first Worldcon, in New York in 1939, which he dubbed Nycon, every Worldcon has a pet name, often associated with its location, as well as being the Nth Worldcon.
The Worldcon has been held since 1939 (except during 1942–45, World War II), and moves to a different city each year. It is the oldest sf convention with a continuing existence. While most Worldcons have occurred in the United States, the event has been hosted by Australia (4x), Canada (5x), Finland, Ireland, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (7x). It would have been held New Zealand in 2020 if Covid-19 hadn’t forced it online, and is to be in China in 2023.
Traditionally, the Worldcon in the US was held over Labor Day weekend (the first Monday in September, aka Roscoe’s Birthday), a date chosen not only because most fans have the holiday off work but also because it was an unpopular weekend for mundane meetings, giving Worldcon a better position in regard to facilities. However, this is no longer the case, and since the late 1990s Worldcon bidders choose dates any time from midsummer to early fall. (Indeed, Dragoncon’s choice to hold its gate show over Labor Day has caused some Worldcons to deliberately avoid the weekend due to complaints from pros about the conflict.)
| From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959 |
| The chief annual gathering of fans is usually designated as an "International Convention."
See Convention. |
Officially sponsored by the the World Science Fiction Society, the Worldcon is run by a different organization each year. Each committee bids to run it and is selected by vote of the WSFS membership two years in advance (see Site Selection).
Worldcon Committees[edit]
Each Worldcon committee is nearly always legally incorporated in the local jurisdiction. In the United States, these are usually set up as non-profit corporations. The organizers may be standalone committees, or the Worldcon may be a project of an existing local club.
There is no continuing or central organization. (WSFS is unincorporated and has no officers or staff or budget.) Thus each Worldcon is entirely independent. Worldcon concoms do agree to be bound by the WSFS constitution in effect when they’re selected, but this is enforced entirely by fannish public opinion. (Which is surprisingly powerful!)
All committee work is done by unpaid volunteers and WSFS rules direct that any surplus be spent for the benefit of fandom.
More Reading[edit]
- The SmofInfo Long List of Worldcons.
- Worldcon pages at Fanac.org, with progress reports and souvenir book scans.
- Schedule pages.
- Official website.
See also: Worldcon proceedings, Worldcons by Area, Convention, WSFS.
| Convention | |
| 1939— |
| This is a convention page. Please extend it by adding information about the convention, including dates, GoHs, convention chairman, locale, sponsoring organization, external links to convention pages, awards given, the program, notable events, anecdotes, pictures, scans of publications, pictures of T-shirts, con reports, etc. |
If applicable, please include category Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, NZ, UK, US, ROW or World.
