Schedule

Welcome to the convention.  We will present the First Fandom and Big Heart awards, as well as remarks from the Chair.

Opening Ceremonies with ASL

This is the first of two meetings at DisCon III of the only permanent body of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), the Mark Protection Committee (MPC). As its name suggests, the MPC manages the intellectual property for WSFS, including the registered marks for “Worldcon,” “Hugo Award,” and “NASFiC.” Wednesday’s meeting will finalize its report to WSFS for 2021. The MPC meets again on Sunday after the adjournment of the WSFS business meeting and will choose its officers for 2021-22. 

The World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) is the body of fans who choose the recipients of the Hugo Awards and the locations for future Worldcons and NASFiCs. By attending DisCon III, you are a WSFS member, and can participate in the annual business meeting which takes place in sessions throughout the convention. But the meeting can be hard to follow if you don’t know the topics of discussion. Panelists will review the business passed on from last year’s con and the new proposals to be discussed.

The WSFS Business Meeting is open to all Worldcon members. This is where rules regarding Hugo Awards, site selection of future Worldcons, and related matters are voted upon. The preliminary meeting considers resolutions (including extensions of Hugo Award eligibility), and sets the agenda and debate time limits for the other meetings. This meeting can kill newly submitted business, but not proposals pending ratification from past years. Arrive early for handouts and orientation.

Come hear the Chicon 8 team present its plans for the 80th World Science Fiction Convention in 2022 in Chicago.

There are two rival bids who want to run the 2023 Worldcon. Come to this session where Chengdu and Winnipeg will tell you their plans prior to the vote on Friday.

The WSFS Business Meeting is open to all Worldcon members. Come see and participate in how the sausage is made regarding the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), relating to rules concerning the Hugo Awards, site selection of future Worldcons, and related matters. The main meeting debates and votes upon changes to the WSFS Constitution, including proposals pending ratification from past years, and new proposals that survived the preliminary business meeting. Arrive early for new handouts.

How do you choose a location? How much startup capital do you need? How do you assemble a staff? This panel will tell you everything you need to know, including what unsuspected resources are at your disposal, when putting together a Worldcon bid.

While the 2023 Worldcon is being chosen this year, there are other bids for future Worldcons. Glasgow (Scotland) 2024;  Seattle (U.S.) 2025;  Orlando (U.S.), Nice (France), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Los Angeles (U.S.) 2026; Tel Aviv (Israel) 2027; Brisbane (Australia) 2028; Dublin, 2029; and Texas, 2031 have all indicated intentions to bid. Come hear what they have to say about why you should support them.

At the beginning of this meeting, the results of the 2023 Worldcon Site Selection will be announced and the newly seated 2023 Worldcon will make its initial presentation. After site selection business is finished, the meeting will take up all business not concluded by Friday’s main meeting. Anything not concluded at this meeting will be considered at the meeting on Sunday, if required.

The Hugo Awards are science fiction’s most prestigious awards. We gather together for the most prestigious ceremony in science fiction to discover the winners of the 2021 Hugo Awards.

Hugo Awards Ceremony with ASL

This is a traditional gathering of past, present, and future Worldcon chairs. Come and get a photo of Worldcon chairs in their natural habitat.

The WSFS Business Meeting is open to all Worldcon members. Come see and participate in how the sausage is made regarding the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). This is where rules regarding Hugo Awards, site selection of future Worldcons, and related matters are proposed, debated, and voted upon. Any business not concluded at previous meetings will be considered here. The WSFS Mark Protection Committee will meet here after adjournment to elect officers and consider its agenda for 2021-22.

Closing Ceremonies

Closing Ceremonies with ASL

If the WSFS Business Meeting adjourns early, this meeting may be held 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Business Meeting instead of at this time.