The Worldcon, or World Science Fiction Convention, is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS).  Worldcons have been held each year since 1939 with the exception of four years during World War II.  Locations have included the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, Germany, and The Netherlands.  Science fiction and fantasy fans have traveled from all over the world to attend, including Japan, Israel, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Finland, Croatia, New Zealand, and Russia.

The various Fan Funds (TAFF, DUFF, GUFF, etc.) will send their delegates to the Worldcon if they can, and sometimes will delay a year to make sure they can.

The Hugo Awards are presented at a highlighted ceremony.  The awards themselves are nominated and voted upon by the members of the Worldcon.

Other highlights of the Worldcon Program have included Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, scientists, writers, editors, publishers, artists, and fans.

Special prestige is given to the Guests of Honor of the Worldcon.  Biographical and bibliographical data are written in the publications.  They often present Guest of Honor speeches, participate in interviews, and are treated with respect honoring their years in the Science Fiction community.  Past Guests of Honor have included Andre Norton, Isaac Asimov, John Campbell, Jr., Gene Wolfe, Gordon R. Dickson, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein, Ursula K. Le Guin, Hal Clement, Anne McCaffrey, Samuel R. Delany, and others.

The Masquerade (another highlight of the program) is spectacular, as the costumers prepare their best work for this event.  There are concerts and artists' and writers' workshops.  The film program will usually include the Hugo-nominated Best Dramatic Presentations.  Major TV and film studios will often preview their new work at the Worldcon.  Worldcon attendees were the first to find out about Star Trek, Star Wars, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and others.

Both original artwork and prints can be purchased at the Art Show from new and established artists, to suit all budgets.  In the Dealers' Room, one can buy books (new, used and collector's items), jewellery, toys, t-shirts, and other science fiction & fantasy related merchandise.  There's also music, filking, dancing, videos, gaming, exhibitions, parties, author readings & autographings, and things you won't believe until you see them.

Worldcons are run by fan volunteers, ages four to ninety-four, working from one hour to many years to produce the best event for their fellow fans.

The Next Two Worldcons

• Nippon2007 - Yokohama, Japan - August 30 - September 3, 2007
• Denvention 3 - Denver, Colorado - August 6 - 10, 2008

Previous Worldcons

• The World Science Fiction Conventions from 1939 to 2007
• Worldcon Photo Album

• L.A.con IV - Anaheim, CA - August 23 - 27, 2006
• Interaction - Glasgow, Scotland - August 4 - 8, 2005
• Noreascon 4 - Boston, MA - September 2 - 6, 2004
• Torcon III - Toronto, Canada - August 28 - September 1, 2003
• ConJose - San Jose, CA - August 29 - September 2, 2002
• Millennium Philcon - Philadelphia, PA - August 30 - September 3, 2001
• Chicon 2000 - Chicago, IL - August 31-September 4, 2000
• Aussiecon Three - Melbourne, Australia - September 2-6, 1999
• Bucconeer - Baltimore, MD - August 5-9, 1998
• LoneStarCon 2 - San Antonio, TX - August 28 - September 1, 1997
• L.A.con III - Anaheim, CA - August 29-September 2, 1996
• Intersection - Glasgow, UK - August 24-28, 1995

Upcoming Worldcon Bids

The current bidders for 2009 through 2011 are :

• 2009 Site-Selection Bidders: Kansas City; Montreal.
• 2010 Site-Selection Bidder: Melbourne, Australia
• 2011 Site-Selection Bidder: Seattle
• 2012 Site-Selection Bidder: Chicago

NASFiC

• Archon 31

More information on NASFiCs and their history can be found at http://nasfic.org/.

More About the Worldcon

• World Science Fiction Society / Worldcon
• World Science Fiction Society Constitution and Standing Rules
• Worldcon Bids and NASFiC Bids

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Acknowledgement
This page is based on existing pages owned by Interaction and by Noreascon Four.  We thank them for letting us re-use their material.