Worldcon 75 Information for Displayers
Do you work for a museum with hands-on exhibits to share? Maybe you are an expert on dragons or want to tell everyone about your new film. Does your company build rockets? Have you rearranged all the words in Star Wars into alphabetical order? Does your research group have a really cool game for teaching people about psychology? Worldcon 75 is on the lookout for displays in the areas of SF, fantasy, science, history, fannish pursuits… basically anything that Worldcon fans might be interested in. And that is quite broad! If you do something interesting that you would like to share with Worldcon 75 members then we would like to hear from you.
Worldcon is one of the oldest Science Fiction conventions in the world. The 75th Worldcon will be held in Helsinki from 9–13 August 2017 at the Messukeskus convention centre. The five day international convention is estimated to have at least 4000 science fiction and fantasy fans visiting from all over the world. (More information: http://www.worldcon.org/, https://www.worldcon.fi/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldcon)
Besides various events, Worldcon has traditionally included many displays and exhibits of various kinds ranging from short films to cutting edge science. We welcome all kinds of displays and exhibits that our visitors will find interesting.
Please contact us if you would like to join us in making the best convention we can!
Display possibilities
We are very flexible about the format and size of displays, please discuss any ideas you have with us. We can provide basics such as display boards, tables, and chairs if necessary, and can also set aside space for you to bring your own stands or displays. The Exhibits Halls have power, wifi, and water supplies available.
We would prefer you to construct and dismantle your own display but may be able to offer assistance with simple displays.
Displays may be attended or unattended, though note that Worldcon cannot provide staff to attend interactive displays. If you would like to give a talk or a demonstration based on your display, please let us know and we will arrange for this to be advertised in the convention programme.
You may not sell merchandise or memberships from your display, though you may give away small free items, e.g. pens, badges or sweets. If you would like to sell merchandise then we ask that you book a dealers table, fan table, or creator alley space as appropriate.
Convention membership
Displayers need not be convention members. Worldcon will provide complimentary Displays memberships for displayers who are not members of the convention, within reason. Displays memberships allow access to the Dealers Hall, Exhibits Hall, and food and bar areas. (Displays memberships do not give access to the convention panels or other parts of the Worldcon 75 programme and do not come with voting rights in the World Science Fiction Society [WSFS], i.e. do not allow voting in the Hugo Awards or site selection.) If you would like access to the wider convention, you may upgrade your Displays membership to an Attending membership.
Details
All displays will need to adhere to the construction and safety rules of Messukeskus. Displays must not block aisles or access routes. If you would like to display anything which causes a mess, generates loud noises or strong odours, may cause allergies or other medical problems, causes crowds to gather in the aisles, or might otherwise cause a hazard, please bring this to our attention so we can discuss practicalities and any mitigating measures. Depending on the nature of your display, we may require you to hold appropriate insurance.
Please note that the mains current in Finland is 220–240 V / 50 Hz and power cables need Europlug connectors.
Construction and dismantling of displays must follow the safety rules of Messukeskus. Construction can begin on Tuesday August 8th and must be finished by 12 noon on Wednesday August 9th when the convention officially opens. Dismantling will begin on Sunday August 13th (time to be advised) once the convention has officially closed and must be finished by 12 noon on Monday August 14th. Displayers will be responsible for clearing the entire area provided for the display, or making other arrangements with the convention for disposal of display materials.
Please note that Worldcon 75 will have final say on accepting displayers and in deciding the location of the exhibition in the convention space.
Contact information
If you are interested in providing a display or exhibit, please fill in our web form below or follow this
direct link to the form.
If you have further questions, please e-mail displays@worldcon.fi.
