Why Is This Con Different...

I've been through this discussion so many times, I'm growing tired of doing so, so I'm asking y'all to take a crack at it: In this posting, and specifically this comment, we see the question "How is Worldcon different from other cons?" And the first reply is a somewhat (in my opinion) dismissive "it's more expensive and they give out the Hugo Awards."

That reply makes me so frustrated that I'm afraid to reply myself. If those are the only differences, then there's no point in holding Worldcon. Surely one of you can come up with a better answer than that?

The reasons why Worldcons cost more than other SF conventions are not relevant to this discussion. You have to think it terms of the person who has never attended a Worldcon, but has attended his/her local cons. Make the case for why you should spend three to five times more money for something that on the surface looks like the same thing.

Let Our People Vote

Some months back, there was a proposal kicked around the SMOFS e-mail list and a few other places to modify the current limits on pricing of Worldcon supporting and attending memberships. Several people, starting with Mark Olson but including others, asked me to draft a proposal based on where the consensus seemed to be heading. As deputy chair of this year's Business Meeting, I can't directly sponsor legislation; however, drafting support (in my WSFS Parliamentarian hat) is part of my job description.

This LiveJournal is the only place where I have sufficient control over format to show proposals with the strikethrough/underline formatting necessary to show changes in the way we're accustomed these days, so I'm posting the current draft here and will point people at it. Note that the material may change, along with the sponsor list. For the protection of those uninterested in WSFS Business, I've put it behind a cut.

( Beware of WSFS Business )

Note further that the sponsor list may gain or lose members as the proposal changes, and that names appearing on the sponsor list may not be definitive until we actually get to the Business Meeting, because I'm working slightly out of synch with the people who are actually making the proposal.

If you're a member of Denvention 3, are planning to participate in the business meeting, you can add your name as a co-sponsor.

Edit, 18 June 14:30: As a result of feedback and comments read elsewhere, I'm going to attempt to add something like the California Legislative Analyst's Summary of this proposal. The explanation is much longer than the proposal itself, so here comes another cut:

( Current Situation and Proposed Change )

Edit, 19 Jun 16:30: Added Jared Dashoff as a co-sponsor.
Edit, 20 Jun 07:45: Added Deb Geisler as a co-sponsor.

Nominate This Woman for Best Fan Writer...

...on the strength of this posting explaining why Worldcon is different.