The 2017 Worldcon has gained 838 members since its last report in January, almost 90% them buying attending memberships. The latest figures come from Progress Report #4, released last week.
The current totals are:
4,052 Attending members (all classes except supporting)
2,080 Supporting
6,132 Total memberships
The convention now has members in 55 countries. With 6,132 members, Worldcon 75 is already the fourth-largest outside North America, and larger than four of the past 10 Worldcons anywhere, and presumably will continue to grow.
I think the discount for newbie worldcon members is really drawing in a lot of people who have not been worldcon regulars. I’m impressed. I hope a bunch of those will enjoy it so much they keep attending when they can. It’s smart marketing.
One interesting stat I heard at Eastercon is that Helsinki has more attending members from China than from Ireland (50 – 45, I believe).
Close — the PR lists 43 attending members from Ireland, 40 from China.
The PR4 link didn’t work for me; I had to go to http://www.worldcon.fi/publications
and pick one of the PR4 options.
Ooooh, I noticed George Perez is a guest!! o.O I will bring ALL my comics to get them signed. He will have nothing else to do at the convention.
Hampus, does that mean you’ll have to DRIVE to Helsinki in a Lorry?
Does anyone know if it is possible to pass on Worldcon memberships to people who might not otherwise be able to go? We have 2 adult and 1 child membership (we got in really early) but now can’t attend.
SamJ, yes, I know in previous years this was possible and I see no reason to believe Helsinki would change that. I don’t personally know the process, however I’m sure someone will jump in and tell you how to do it. Are you looking for people to sell/give them to, or do you already have people in mind?
Ninja’d by Cassy B! The FAQ here says
I believe you have to find the transferee yourself though.
Thanks both. I don’t have someone specific in mind – so I may try and find a way to donate to one of the con charities?
JJ: Thanks for including the correct link. Which is what I thought I had put in the article. It’s always an education to discover that my computer has a different idea of what I’m copying than I do. Looks like the first link was pointing to the copy of the PR open on my screen, rather than the source of the document on the website.
@Hampus Eckerman, Worldcon 75 does not have Perez as a guest; that’s NorthAmeriCon 17, the Puerto Rico NASFiC. It’s July 6 – 9.
SamJ – the one I know is Con or Bust, which helps people of color to attend cons. This page includes instructions on donating memberships;
Con or Bust
Thanks @Lenore Jones. I was looking at them earlier too!
Oops! Start emptying the lorry….
Well, he could try driving to San Juan….
>dubious face<
I wish I had the bucks to go to San Juan.
Also, so much for the “waily waily, Worldcon is dying!” crowd.