Editing Worldcon

{{Short description|Annual convention for SF and fantasy}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}

{{For|the list of Worldcon annual events|List of Worldcons}}{{Infobox Convention
|name = Worldcon
|image =
|caption =
|status = Active
|genre = [[Science fiction]], [[fantasy]] [[Fan convention|convention]]
|venue =
|location = Convention location changes every year
|country = Several, though mainly the [[United States]]
|first = [[1st World Science Fiction Convention|July 2, 1939]]
|organizer =
|filing = Non-profit, [[unincorporated association]]
|attendance =
|website = {{URL|http://worldcon.org}}
}}

'''Worldcon''', officially the '''World Science Fiction Convention''', the annual convention of the '''World Science Fiction Society''' ('''WSFS'''), is a [[science fiction convention]]. It has been held each year since 1939 (except for the years 1942 to 1945, during [[World War II]]).<ref name="longlist">{{cite web |last=World Science Fiction Society |first=Long List Committee |title=The Long List of Worldcons |publisher=[[NESFA]] |year=2011 |url=http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/TheLongList.html |access-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110085511/http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/TheLongList.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual [[Hugo Award]]s, which are presented at each convention.

==Activities==
Activities and events at the convention typically include:
* Activities to fund fan and external charities ([[Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund|fan funds]] [[auction]]s, [[blood donation|blood drives]], etc.)
* Art shows presenting paintings, drawings, sculpture and other work, primarily concerning science fiction and fantasy themes
* Autographing sessions, literary beer or coffee meetings, "Walks with the Stars", and other chances to meet favorite science fiction and fantasy professionals
*Awards ceremonies:
**[[Hugo Award]]s, [[Astounding Award for Best New Writer]], and [[Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book]]
**[[Chesley Awards]] 
* Costuming – both formal competition (the "Masquerade") and casual "hall costumes" or [[cosplay]]
* Dancing – one or more dances with live music or a [[DJ]]. ([[LoneStarCon 3]] had three dances in 2013, including a ''[[Firefly (TV series)|Firefly]]'' Shindig contradance and a [[steampunk]] dance.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lonestarcon3.org/program/dances.shtml |publisher=[[LoneStarCon 3]] |title=Dances |access-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023034413/http://www.lonestarcon3.org/program/dances.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Exhibits – including photos of prominent fans and authors, historical displays, information about space and science, local information etc.
* Huckster room, the fan term<ref>[http://www.erbzine.com/mag41/4111.html Erbzine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125134700/http://www.erbzine.com/mag41/4111.html |date=November 25, 2018 }}: "Contributors in the Huckster Room"</ref><ref>[http://www.nesfa.org/boskone/hucksterroomrequest.html Boskone Huckster Room Request Form] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216022309/http://www.nesfa.org/boskone/hucksterroomrequest.html |date=February 16, 2013 }}</ref><ref>''[[The Enchanted Duplicator]],'' [http://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Enchanted_Duplicator/Enchanted-09.html Chapter 9] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174102/http://www.fanac.org/fanzines/Enchanted_Duplicator/Enchanted-09.html |date=August 23, 2018 }}, "In Which Jophan Encounters the Hucksters"</ref> for a dealers' or vendors' room – a large hall where fans can buy books, knickknacks, games, comic books, movies, jewelry, costumes and other goods
* Fan lounge (sometimes called the "Fanzine Lounge") – A place for reading, exchanging, contributing to and talking about [[fanzine]]s
* Fan tables – where fan organizations and representatives of other conventions promote their groups
* [[Filk music|Filk]] and other musical performances, music circles, and workshops
* Movies – an independent [[film festival]], and other movies rooms showing science fiction movies, television shows, etc.
* Gaming – [[Live-action game|live-action]] and tabletop [[board games]], [[card game]]s, and [[role-playing games]]
* Live theatrical performances ([[Klingon]] [[opera]], productions of ''[[R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots)|Rossum's Universal Robots]]'', etc.)
* [[Panelist|Panel discussion]]s on a wide range of topics pertaining to [[Speculative fiction|speculative fiction (SF)]] literature; movies, audio and other media; art; graphic stories; [[fandom]] and fannish hobbies; science, technology, and society; costuming, gaming, and music
* Socializing in the "con suite", convention bars, and at parties (typically given by other conventions or bidders, clubs, publishers/magazines, and by private individuals)
* Speeches or other presentations by the [[List of Worldcon Guests of Honor|Guests of Honor]] and other program participants
* Other business of the World Science Fiction Society, including voting on the location of future Worldcons and [[North American Science Fiction Convention]]s (NASFiCs, which occur when the Worldcon is overseas) and any changes to the WSFS Constitution, which are made at WSFS business meetings during the convention

==Awards==
<section begin=Awards />
{{main|Hugo Award}}

The World Science Fiction Society administers and presents the [[Hugo Award]]s,<ref name="wsfshugo">{{cite web |title=Article 3: Hugo Awards |work=WSFS Constitution |publisher=World Science Fiction Society |url=http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html#hugo |year=2008 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520081609/http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html#hugo |archive-date=May 20, 2011 }}</ref> the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. Selection of the recipients is by vote of the Worldcon members. Categories include novels and short fiction, artwork, dramatic presentations, and various professional and [[science fiction fandom|fandom]] activities.<ref name="wsfshugo" /><ref name="bs771030">{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1841675912.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI|first=Jon|last=Franklin|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|location=[[Baltimore]], MD|title=Star roars: this year's champs in science fiction|page=D5|date=October 30, 1977|access-date=March 3, 2011|archive-date=March 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308051416/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1841675912.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Other awards may be presented at Worldcon at the discretion of the individual convention committee. This has often included the national SF awards of the host country, such as the Japanese [[Seiun Award]]s as part of [[Nippon 2007]],<ref name="otherawards">{{cite web |url=http://www.nippon2007.us/awards.php |title=Awards |publisher=Nippon2007: 65th World Science Fiction Convention |access-date=March 15, 2009 |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802074443/http://www.nippon2007.us/awards.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Prix Aurora Awards]] as part of [[Anticipation (convention)|Anticipation]] in 2009. The [[Astounding Award for Best New Writer]] and the [[Sidewise Award for Alternate History|Sidewise Award]], though not sponsored by the Worldcon, are usually presented, as well as the [[Chesley Awards]], the [[Prometheus Award]], and others.<ref name="otherawards" /><section end=Awards />

==Guests of Honor==
{{main|List of Worldcon Guests of Honor}}
Each Worldcon committee selects a number of guests of honor (or "GoHs") for the convention. Typically there is an author (aka "Writer" or  "Pro") and a [[Science fiction fandom|fan]] guest of honor. Many conventions also have artist, editor, and science guests, and most have a [[toastmaster]] for major events, such as the opening and closing ceremonies and the Hugo award ceremony. A few conventions have had two or even three author guests.<ref name="longlist" />

While other conventions may select guests on the basis of current popularity, Worldcons typically select guests of honor as an acknowledgement of significant lifetime contribution to the field; while these are often well-known figures, some committees choose lesser-known figures precisely because the committee feels the guest's accomplishments deserve more recognition from the community. Selection is treated by authors, fans, and others as a recognition of lifetime achievement. As such, the tradition is to award it only to those who have been making significant contributions for at least 20 years.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}} Guests of honor generally receive travel expenses, membership, and a small ''[[per diem]]'' from the convention, but no speaking fees.

In order to announce guests immediately after [[site selection]], Worldcon bid committees select one or more guests ''before'' the site selection vote. Fans consider it inappropriate for bids to compete on the basis of their chosen guests (so as to avoid having someone chosen by a losing bid feeling that fandom had voted against them personally), so bids do not reveal who their guests are until after the vote, and losing bids generally never reveal who they invited. This is usually treated with the same discretion as the Hugo Awards, where only a few people might know in advance who the guests will be.

== World Science Fiction Society ==
The name "Worldcon" is owned by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), an unincorporated [[literary society]] whose purpose is to promote interest in science fiction.<ref name="wsfscon">{{cite web | last = WSFS | title = Article 1: Name, Objectives, Membership, and Organization | work = Constitution | publisher = WSFS | year = 2008 | url = http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html | access-date = April 5, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110520081609/http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html | archive-date = May 20, 2011 }}</ref> WSFS has no standing officers, only small [[standing committee]]s, and a large membership composed of the members of the current Worldcon. Its main activities are running the selection (voting) process for the annual convention and various awards. The conventions themselves are run by non-profit, volunteer fan organizations, who bid to host the event.

The WSFS constitution itself is discussed and amended by the annual general meeting, known as the "business meeting", held at the Worldcon, usually as three morning sessions on successive days.<ref name="wsfsbm">{{cite web | last = WSFS | title = WSFS Constitution and Standing Rules | work = Constitution | publisher = WSFS | year = 2019 | url = http://www.wsfs.org/rules-of-the-world-science-fiction-society/ | access-date = April 25, 2020 | archive-date = May 5, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200505115124/http://www.wsfs.org/rules-of-the-world-science-fiction-society/ | url-status = live }}</ref> All attending members of the Worldcon may attend, participate, and vote at the Business Meeting, although in practice only a small number of the members actually do so. The WSFS constitution includes rules for site selection, for the Hugo Awards, and for amending itself. The business meeting also empanels a number of [[ad hoc committee]]s to deal with review of amendments and with certain administrative functions.

The only permanent ("standing") committee of WSFS (as opposed to the Business Meeting) is the Mark Protection Committee (MPC), which is responsible for maintaining the society's [[trademark]]s and [[domain name]]s.<ref name="wsfsmpc">{{cite web|url=http://www.wsfs.org/committees/mark-protection-committee/|title=Mark Protection Committee|work=WSFS Web Site|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2020|archive-date=March 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301181746/http://www.wsfs.org/committees/mark-protection-committee/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Site selection ==
{{main|List of Worldcons}}
Historically, most Worldcons were held in the United States; however, beginning in the later part of the 20th century an increasing number of them have been hosted in other countries. In 2017, the [[75th World Science Fiction Convention]] ("Worldcon 75")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcon.fi/|title=Worldcon 75 – 2017 Worldcon|work=worldcon.fi|access-date=December 7, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129202453/http://www.worldcon.fi/|url-status=live}}</ref> was held in [[Helsinki|Helsinki, Finland]]; the 2018 Worldcon was held in [[San Jose, California]], and the 2019 Worldcon was held in [[Dublin|Dublin, Ireland]]. The 2020 Worldcon was scheduled to be in [[New Zealand]];<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.worldcon.org/2018/08/19/wellington-nz-to-host-2020-worldcon/|title = Wellington, NZ to Host 2020 Worldcon|date = August 19, 2018|access-date = May 26, 2019|archive-date = May 26, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190526061238/http://www.worldcon.org/2018/08/19/wellington-nz-to-host-2020-worldcon/|url-status = live}}</ref> however, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], it was a virtual event (accessed by internet only).

The first Worldcon to be held outside the US was the [[6th World Science Fiction Convention|sixth]], in 1948 in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada, and the first outside North America was the [[15th World Science Fiction Convention]], in 1957 in [[Bayswater, London]]. The first held in a country where English was not the primary language was the Heicon '70, the [[28th World Science Fiction Convention]] held in [[Heidelberg]], West Germany. The [[65th World Science Fiction Convention|2007 Worldcon]] in [[Yokohama, Japan]], was the first to be held in [[Asia]]. Other non-US Worldcons held in the 21st century have included: the [[61st World Science Fiction Convention|2003 Worldcon]] in Toronto, Ontario, Canada;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smofinfo.com/LL/TheLongList.html |title=The Long List of Worldcons |access-date=June 3, 2018 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114143224/http://www.smofinfo.com/LL/TheLongList.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[63rd World Science Fiction Convention|2005 Worldcon]], held in [[Glasgow, Scotland]];<ref name="scotsman">{{cite web|url=http://news.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=2648418 |title=There was a battle for the minds of the world ... and we won it |work=The Scotsman |access-date=April 6, 2009 |date=August 3, 2005 |author=Andera Mullaney |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812015032/http://news.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=2648418 |archive-date=August 12, 2009 }}</ref> the [[67th World Science Fiction Convention|2009 Worldcon]], in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada; the [[68th World Science Fiction Convention|2010 Worldcon]], in [[Melbourne, Australia]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24160202-5003424,00.html|work=The Courier-Mail|access-date=April 6, 2009|date=August 11, 2008|title=Melbourne to host world science fiction convention in 2010|author=Jason Nahrung|archive-date=August 12, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812050846/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24160202-5003424,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[72nd World Science Fiction Convention|2014 Worldcon]], in [[London, United Kingdom]]; the [[75th World Science Fiction Convention|2017 Worldcon]], in [[Helsinki, Finland]]; the [[81st World Science Fiction Convention|2023 Worldcon]], in [[Chengdu, China]]; and the [[82nd World Science Fiction Convention|2024 Worldcon]], in [[Glasgow, Scotland]]. 

Sites for future Worldcons are determined by voting of the Worldcon membership.<ref name="wsfsss">{{cite web | last = WSFS | title = Article 4: Future Worldcon Selection | work = Constitution | publisher = WSFS | year = 2008 | url = http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html#article4 | access-date = April 5, 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110520081609/http://www.wsfs.org/bm/const-2008.html#article4 | archive-date = May 20, 2011 }}</ref> Worldcons through 1970 were selected one year in advance, from 1971 through 1986 two years in advance, from 1987 to 2007, three years in advance, then from 2008 to the present, two years in advance again. For example, during the 2011 Worldcon in [[Reno]], [[San Antonio]] was selected to host the 2013 Worldcon. The rules changes to lengthen or shorten the period were implemented by selecting two future Worldcons at the 1969 and 1984 conventions and by having the 2005 convention not select any.

To ensure that the Worldcon is relocated to different locations, the WSFS constitution requires that the proposed sites must all be at least {{convert|500|mi|km}} away from the site of the convention at which the selection vote happens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loncon3.org/wsfs-constitution.php#article4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109114949/http://www.loncon3.org/wsfs-constitution.php#article4|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 9, 2014|title=WSFS Constitution|work=loncon3.org|access-date=March 20, 2015}}</ref>

When a Worldcon is held outside of North America, a [[North American Science Fiction Convention]] (NASFiC) may also be held within North America that same year. Since 1975, whenever a Worldcon site outside North America is selected, WSFS administers a parallel site selection process for the NASFiC, voted on by WSFS members at the Worldcon (or NASFiC if there is one) held one year prior to the prospective NASFiC.<ref name="wsfsss" /> With the [[Loncon 3|2014 Worldcon]] being held in the United Kingdom, members at the 2013 Worldcon in [[San Antonio]] chose [[Detroit]] to be the site of the [[Detcon1|2014 NASFiC]] and Spokane, Washington, as the site of the [[Sasquan|2015 Worldcon]].<ref name="les130901am">{{cite news |newspaper=La Estrella Solitaria |location=[[San Antonio, TX]] |publisher=LoneStarCon 3 |title=Spokane Wins 2015 Worldcon On Third Ballot; Detroit Wins 2014 NASFiC On First Round |url=http://www.lonestarcon3.org/newsletter/LSC3_ISSUE_10_SITE_SELECTION_SUN_AM.pdf |date=September 1, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2013 |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907011340/http://www.lonestarcon3.org/newsletter/LSC3_ISSUE_10_SITE_SELECTION_SUN_AM.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2020, The [[78th World Science Fiction Convention|78th Worldcon]] was held in [[Wellington, New Zealand]]. However, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], organizers announced during March 2020 that it would be a "virtual" con with attendees and panelists using video technologies to participate.

In 2021, The [[79th World Science Fiction Convention|79th Worldcon]] took place in Washington, D.C. In 2022, the [[80th World Science Fiction Convention|80th Worldcon]] would be held in Chicago, Illinois. This was announced at the 2020 Worldcon, chosen by the members of the 78th Worldcon. [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] was the other competing site. A group of writers and officers of the Worldcon have signed an open letter against Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2022 World Science Fiction Convention, citing [[human rights]] abuses and discriminatory laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/28/authors-condemn-saudi-arabias-bid-to-host-world-science-fiction-convention|title=Authors condemn Saudi Arabia's bid to host World Science Fiction Convention|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=The Guardian|date=July 28, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728153552/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jul/28/authors-condemn-saudi-arabias-bid-to-host-world-science-fiction-convention|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Chengdu]], China hosted the [[81st World Science Fiction Convention|81st Worldcon]] in 2023.  It was the second Worldcon to be held in Asia after the [[65th World Science Fiction Convention|65th Worldcon]] in Japan in 2007. Over 100 authors, including Hugo winners and [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] writers, signed an open letter calling for the hosting to be reconsidered due to ongoing [[Persecution of Uyghurs in China|human rights violations in the Uyghur region]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/authors-come-out-against-china-as-2023-worldcon-host|title=Authors come out against China as 2023 WorldCon host|date=14 March 2022|first=Lauren|last=Brown|work=The Bookseller|access-date=August 10, 2023|archive-date=August 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810231805/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/authors-come-out-against-china-as-2023-worldcon-host|url-status=live}}</ref> The choice of location was also criticized due to the effects of the [[Censorship in China|Chinese government's censorship regime]] and the exclusion of authors publicly critical of [[human rights in China]] such as [[R. F. Kuang]], [[Xiran Jay Zhao]], and [[Neil Gaiman]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hawkins |first=Amy |date=2024-01-24 |title=Science fiction awards held in China under fire for excluding authors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/24/science-fiction-awards-held-in-china-under-fire-for-excluding-authors |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=January 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124172853/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/jan/24/science-fiction-awards-held-in-china-under-fire-for-excluding-authors |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[82nd World Science Fiction Convention|82nd Worldcon]] was held in [[Glasgow]], Scotland in 2024.  The [[83rd World Science Fiction Convention|83rd Worldcon]] will be held in [[Seattle]], Washington in 2025. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia reasserted its bid for 2026, but the bid was replaced by one for [[Cairo]], Egypt;{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} the site ultimately chosen was [[Los Angeles]], which was the only official bid at the time of voting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldcon.org/2024/08/25/anaheim-selected-to-host-2026-worldcon/|title=Anaheim Selected to Host 2026 Worldcon|access-date=January 20, 2025|website=Worldcon|date=August 25, 2024|archive-date=September 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923094141/https://www.worldcon.org/2024/08/25/anaheim-selected-to-host-2026-worldcon/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Montreal, Canada]] and [[Tel Aviv, Israel]] had both submitted bids for 2027, but Tel Aviv later suspended their bid "due to the [[Gaza war|situation in Israel]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldcon.org/2024/12/07/montreal-2027-worldcon-bid-filed-tel-aviv-2027-worldcon-bid-suspended/|title=Montreal 2027 Worldcon Bid Filed; Tel Aviv 2027 Worldcon Bid Suspended|access-date=January 20, 2025|website=Worldcon|date=December 7, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208144927/https://www.worldcon.org/2024/12/07/montreal-2027-worldcon-bid-filed-tel-aviv-2027-worldcon-bid-suspended/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Convention committees==
{{See also|Science fiction convention}}
As WSFS itself is an unincorporated society, each Worldcon is organized by a separate committee (usually) legally incorporated in the local jurisdiction; in the United States, these are usually organized as [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit corporations, while in the United Kingdom, they are usually operated by [[Private company limited by guarantee|companies limited by guarantee]]. The local organizers may be standalone, one-time committees (organized to hold the one event and then disbanded afterwards), or they may be organized by an existing local group. A few groups, such as [[MCFI]] in Boston, SFSFC (San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc.)<ref name="SFSFC">{{cite web| url=http://sfsfc.org/?page_id=2| title=San Francisco Science Fiction Conventions, Inc.: Who Are We?| date=May 23, 2008| access-date=June 3, 2018| archive-date=September 2, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084123/http://sfsfc.org/?page_id=2| url-status=live}}</ref> in northern California, and SCIFI (Southern California Institute for Fan Interests Inc.)<ref name="SCIFI">{{cite web |url=http://www.scifiinc.org/ |title=Southern California Institute for Fan Interests, Inc. |access-date=July 2, 2007 |archive-date=July 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701145301/http://www.scifiinc.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in southern California are permanent corporations established to manage Worldcons (or other one-off or rotating conventions) in different years in the same geographical area.

Like most non-media science fiction conventions, all Worldcons are managed entirely by volunteers, with no paid staff. Senior committee members typically devote hundreds of hours (not to mention thousands of dollars in travel expenses in some cases) in preparation for a particular convention. While each convention is managed separately by the local committee, an informal and self-selected group of volunteers constitute the "Permanent Floating Worldcon Committee" who volunteer for many Worldcons in different years; this group offers a measure of [[Institutional memory|institutional continuity]] to otherwise disparate legal organizations.

Recent Worldcons have had budgets running in excess of a million dollars.<ref name="WorldconReports">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-WSFS-Minutes-Final.pdf |title=Minutes of 2016 WSFS Business Meeting, Section D (Convention Financial Reports) |access-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418215145/http://www.wsfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-WSFS-Minutes-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The main source of revenue is convention membership, but Worldcons also collect fees from exhibiting dealers and artists and advertisers in publications, and some conventions manage to attract sponsorships of as much as 5% of total income. The main expenses are [[Convention center|facilities rental]] and related costs, then (if possible) membership reimbursements to program participants and volunteers, then publications, [[audiovisual]] equipment rental, and [[hospitality]]. Traditionally, all members (except for guests of honor) must pay for their membership; if the convention makes an adequate surplus after covering operating expenses, full or partial membership reimbursements are paid back to volunteers after the convention. Most Worldcons have a small surplus, which the rules of WSFS suggest be disbursed "for the benefit of WSFS as a whole;"<ref name="WorldconSurplus">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/WSFS-Constitution-as-of-August-22-2016.pdf |title=WSFS Constitution as of August 22, 2016, Section 2.9.3 |access-date=December 7, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220121945/http://www.wsfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/WSFS-Constitution-as-of-August-22-2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> typically at least half of any surplus is donated to future Worldcons, a tradition termed "pass-along funds".

Because of their size, Worldcons have two layers of management between the chairperson and the staff. "Departments" operate a specific convention function, while "divisions" coordinate the work of several departments. Department heads (sometimes called "area heads") have one or more deputies plus a large staff, or they may have no staff at all. Most Worldcons have between five and twelve division heads who form the convention executive group.

== Badges and ribbons ==
Attendees are issued a [[Name tag|convention badge]], displaying each attendee's name, membership number and (if desired) "[[fannish]]" nickname. The customary practice is for all attendees at the same convention (occasionally excepting Guests of Honor) to wear badges of the same design, but each Worldcon's badge design is unique to that convention.

In order for convention staff and members to identify quickly the function of other staff at the convention, Worldcons use [[ribbon]]s of differing colors which are attached to convention badges to signify different roles and responsibilities. Often there are ribbons to signify rank, division, and department or specialized functions; ribbons are also used to identify program participants, other noteworthy members (for example "Past Worldcon Guest of Honor", "Hugo Award Nominee", etc.), or classes of members ("Dealers", "Artists", "Party Hosts") who are interacting with convention staff. Some members of the committee may be performing a variety of current or past roles and could have a large number of ribbons attached to each other hanging from a badge.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}} Extending this tradition, other groups and individuals create more special ribbons for use at the convention; these may be serious or silly. Convention badge ribbons are important memorabilia for some people, and become valuable years later because they evoke memories of events at the convention, and may be displayed in exhibits at future conventions.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}

==See also==
* [[List of Worldcons]]
* [[List of Worldcons by city]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Worldcon}}
* [http://www.worldcon.org/ Worldcon official website]
* [http://www.wsfs.org/ World Science Fiction Society official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130113085521/http://www.wsfs.org/bm/rules.html Current WSFS rules, including Constitution]

{{World Science Fiction Convention}}
{{Hugo Awards}}
{{science fiction}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Worldcon| ]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1939]]
[[Category:Science fiction conventions]]
[[Category:Science fiction organizations]]
[[Category:Festivals established in 1939]]
[[Category:Speculative fiction сonventions]]