Editing Science fiction convention (section)

==Types==
{{see also|List of science fiction conventions|Category:Science fiction conventions}}

Since the first conventions in the late 1930s, such as the first [[Worldcon]], hundreds of local and regional science fiction conventions have sprung up around the world either as one-time or annual events. At these conventions, fans of science fiction come together with the professional writers, artists, and filmmakers in the genre to discuss its many aspects. Some cities have a number of science-fiction conventions, as well as a number of special interest conventions for [[anime]], media, or other related groups. Some conventions move from city to city, serving a particular country, region, or special interest. Nearly every weekend of the year now has at least one convention somewhere and some conventions are held on holiday weekends where four or more days can be devoted to events.

===International conventions===

====World Science Fiction Convention====
[[Image:Loncon Scandinavian party.jpg|thumb|right|Fans socializing at [[Worldcon]] 2014.]]
{{main|Worldcon}}
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention that has been held each year since 1939 (except for the years 1942 through 1945, during World War II). It is the annual convention of the [[World Science Fiction Society]] (or WSFS), an unincorporated body whose members are defined as "all people who have paid membership dues to the Committee of the current Worldcon" (i.e., that are either upcoming or currently under way). These members of WSFS vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years in advance and to select the winners of the [[Hugo Awards]], which are presented at the convention. The rules for venue selection are deliberately drafted to ensure the convention occurs in a different city each year.

====World Fantasy Convention====
{{main|World Fantasy Convention}}
{{see also|Fantasy fandom}}
[[Fantasy]]  is usually considered alongside science fiction at conventions (the terms were used interchangeably for most of the period from 1926–1966). Conventions that are nominally science-fiction conventions, such as [[Worldcon]], are also fantasy conventions in all but name. [[World Fantasy Convention]] was begun in 1975, and has since been held on an annual basis.  The World Fantasy Convention, however, is less oriented toward the [[science-fiction fandom|fan]] community, and is primarily a professional gathering (for writers, editors, publishers, etc.). Many of those who attend "World Fantasy" also attend Worldcon. However, this convention is more focused on authors and publishing, with a much higher proportion of authors in attendance; as such it does not usually include the broad range of events (masquerade, dances, video room, etc.) that one would normally find at a general-interest convention.

====World Horror Convention====
{{main|World Horror Convention}}
The World Horror Convention is an annual gathering of professionals of the World Horror Society and other interested parties. Up till 2009, all World Horror Conventions had been held in the United States or Canada, usually alternating between the east and west sides of the country. The 2010 convention was held in [[Brighton]] in the [[UK]], the first time it took place outside North America. The [[Horror Writers Association]]'s [[Bram Stoker Award]] ceremony has been held in conjunction with the convention for the last few years.

===National conventions===
A National Convention is usually held annually  in a number of countries. The British [[Eastercon]] is the oldest of these. National conventions are often run by, or in association with, a national Science-fiction organization or club.

===Regional conventions===
Before the age of inexpensive travel, regional conventions arose to attract fans from broad geographical areas. The oldest of these is [[Westercon]], whose meetings are held on a rotational basis among regions in the western [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. [[Eurocon]] is held each year somewhere in Europe, often in eastern European countries where fandom is a new phenomenon. A [[North American Science Fiction Convention]] (NASFiC) is held in [[North America]] in any year when the Worldcon is outside of North America.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.nasfic.org/ | title = NASFiC | publisher = World Science Fiction Society}}.</ref> [[DeepSouthCon]] is held in the [[Southern United States]], with a focus on Southern culture in science fiction.

===Local conventions===
Local conventions, which are offshoots of the main regional conventions, draw fans from the immediate area in which the convention is being held, though these have very few attendees who have traveled from afar to attend the main convention.  Some local conventions, including events run by student groups from high schools or colleges, draw their attendance solely from the student body and campus neighborhood. Others, such as those run by [[United Kingdom|UK]] universities, may draw from a wider audience than just the university itself. <ref>{{cite news | title = Forthcoming Attractions | url = http://www.jainefenn.com/index.php?/archives/274-Forthcoming-Attractions.html | access-date = 2010-02-14 | publisher = Jaine Fenn}}</ref>

===Media conventions===
Some conventions are focused on (audio-visual) "media", that is, science fiction on film and television. There are general media conventions covering a broad range of science fiction in media, such as [[Toronto Trek]], and then there are conventions focused on a single body of work, such as "[[Star Wars Celebration|Celebration]]," the official ''[[Star Wars]]'' convention; "Galaxyfest," the yearly event in [[Vulcan, Alberta]] dedicated to ''[[Star Trek]]''; and [[BotCon]], the official [[Transformers Universes|Transformers]] convention. Most media conventions are commercial shows run for profit, though some are organized by non-profit fan groups similar to general science-fiction conventions.

===Comic and "popular culture" conventions===
From comics and media fandom, a category of "popular culture" conventions has emerged, such as [[Comic-Con International]] and [[Dragon*Con]], featuring a wide range of "pop culture" events ranging from [[animation]], drive-in movie theaters, old-time radio, horror movies, and cowboy [[celebrity|celebrities]]. These events have become much larger than traditional SF conventions; nearly a hundred thousand people attend Comic-Con in San Diego each year. Although not all of them are commercial ventures, they tend to suffer the same drawbacks as commercial shows (long lines, overcrowding, etc.) due to the sheer size of the events.

===Special interest conventions===
There are many conventions focused on particular special interests within science fiction. For example, [[Wiscon]], in addition to being the [[Wisconsin]] Science Fiction Convention, is focused on [[feminism|feminist]] SF/fantasy and [[gender identity|gender]], [[race (classification of human beings)|race]], and [[social class|class]] issues/studies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://wiscon.net/about/ |website=WisCon |access-date=December 20, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> 
[[Diversicon]] concentrates on the vastness of human diversity. 
Filking conventions such as [[Ohio Valley Filk Fest]], FilkOntario, and GaFilk <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gafilk.org|title=GAFilk: Georgia Filk Convention|website=www.gafilk.org|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> gather those interested in [[filk|science fiction-related music]]. 
[[Costume-Con]] gathers people from around the world who are mainly interested in science fiction, fantasy, and historical costuming.<ref name="yah140724">{{cite news |first=Adam K. |last=Raymond |publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]] |title=75 Years Of Capes and Face Paint: A History of Cosplay |url= https://www.yahoo.com/movies/75-years-of-capes-and-face-paint-a-history-of-cosplay-92666923267.html |date=July 24, 2014 |access-date=August 2, 2014}}</ref> 
[[Penguicon]] combines science fiction with technology, particularly [[Linux]] and [[Open-source software|open source]] software. 
The term "[[relaxacon]]" is used for conventions which tend to be less about programming, and more about socializing within the fan community; this is quite different from "sercon" (SERious CONstructive discussion of science-fiction topics) conventions.

===Commercial shows vs. volunteer conventions ===
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An important distinction can be made between commercial events (often called "shows") – those run by dedicated companies who specialize in con organization, or by local for-profit firms – and volunteer-run cons.

Usually run for profit, commercial events tend to charge for "tickets" or "admission" rather than having "memberships". A primary focus of commercial events is meeting celebrities, such as stars of science fiction TV show and movies, anime [[voice actor]]s, etc. There are frequently very long lines of people waiting for autographs at commercial events; while famous actors like [[William Shatner]] of ''[[Star Trek]]'' are paid tens of thousands of dollars per convention, minor and obscure [[bit player]]s pay to set up booths to sell autographs and memorabilia.<ref name="reitman20050408">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-08-me-bitplayers8-story.html | title ='Star Trek' Bit Players Cling On | work=Los Angeles Times | date=2005-04-08 | access-date=May 14, 2011 | last =Reitman | first = Valerie | page =1}}</ref> Commercial events also tend to have less small-scale programming; panels will more often be composed of famous actors, directors, etc. on press junkets, where the panels are held in very large rooms with very high attendance. The largest cons (in terms of attendance) tend to be commercial ones. Commercial events tend to be more likely to be about comics, manga, anime, and popular visual media than volunteer cons, and they also tend to attract the younger generation, but this is not absolute by any means. Some commercial conventions have official licences from the company which produces a particular movie or TV show to run a convention about a particular movie or show. They have been known to aggressively go after fan-run conventions via their legal teams.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}

Volunteer cons, on the other hand, tend to be smaller in scope and more intimate in character. Panels may be more lightly attended; however, it is the fans themselves who mostly take part in the panels.  Although there are frequent autograph sessions, they tend to be less of an attraction for volunteer cons. Admission to volunteer cons is usually called "membership", thus emphasizing that the fans themselves are the ones who make up the con, rather than the staff who run commercial cons. A community of fans who run such conventions has developed, and many of them share their best practices and keep convention-running traditions alive, including at specialist con-running conventions such as [[SMOFcon]].