Introducing the Convention Portal!
There is so much more to Seattle Worldcon than what appears on the surface. The convention portal is your gateway to the convention Discord, virtual programming, and signups for sessions with limited participation. The way to log on to the portal is similar to how you log on to register, or exercise WSFS rights like voting for Hugo Finalists. If you encounter problems, consult our instructions page. Some of the things you can do within the portal are described in the items below.
Signup Process for Limited Participation Workshops, Table Talks, Writing Classes, and Virtual Games
You may have noticed our table talks and many of our in-person workshops and other sessions have limited participation and require advance signup. But how? Seattle is using a process similar to the 2024 Glasgow Worldcon. Signups for limited participation sessions (now including virtual games!) will be available from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. on the session’s previous day. So, for example, you can sign up for limited access Saturday sessions on Friday. Signups for Wednesday sessions will open at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, and close at 6 p.m. Tuesday, to accommodate travel needs.
Admission to events which are oversubscribed will be strictly by lottery—meaning there is no advantage to signing up early, and no lines! Within a few hours after the signup period closes, each member will receive an email informing them if they have been admitted to the session or not, or whether they have been placed on a waiting list in case a last-minute space opens.
Signups can be made electronically—the easiest way!—through the convention portal. Once inside the portal, choose “Sign-ups for items with limited space.” From there, follow the prompts to select from the list of available sessions. Alternatively, in-person attending members can sign up for sessions in the Summit Building at the Info Table on the second floor concourse, or in Program Ops (Room 326). These are unique opportunities for engagement, so we hope you will participate. Good luck!
The Discord is Open! Log on to Start Your Worldcon Today!
Conversations have started already on the Seattle Worldcon Discord server. Go there to meet people, socialize, and talk about the things you’re excited about! We have also planned a virtual scavenger hunt and a playthrough of “If I Ran the Zoo Con” to occur before the convention starts.
During Worldcon, the Discord will be your home online for post-panel discussions, virtual socials, and virtual gaming, along with whatever else you can dream up! One of the best parts of any Discord are the unexpected parts. Come add your thoughts, ideas, and dreams to our virtual community.
Access to the Discord is limited to attending and virtual attending members of the Worldcon; you get there through the convention portal. Trouble logging on? See our instructions page.
Virtual Worldcon—For Members Inside and Outside Seattle!
We are so excited about the content we are able to offer digitally. Five panel rooms inside the Seattle Convention Center | Summit will stream out live content in addition to the ballrooms and stages which will stream our biggest concerts and events. Additionally, we have two exclusively virtual rooms (with extended hours to benefit international members and panelists) that will put the World in Worldcon with amazing international content. Many of the streaming and all-virtual panels and events will be available to all virtual attending and attending members for replay on demand after the convention. And you guessed it—all this content is available through the convention portal. We can’t wait to share it.
Get the Restaurant Guide
Some very hungry and talented SFF fans have made a Restaurant Guide (1.1 MB PDF) for you to educate you about food options near the Convention Center Summit Building and neighborhoods throughout Seattle, including specialized information for dietary needs. Physical copies will be available at con at the Info Table while supplies last. Our website’s food page has also been updated with information about the food outlets inside the convention center. The best way to say thanks is to tip well and clean your plate!
Program Options Expand to Include Concerts, Overseas Content, and More!
The program schedule and lineup of participants keeps expanding since it was first released on July 9. The latest includes a full lineup of concerts in the Signature Room, where award-winning filkers and other musicians will make you laugh, feel, and sing along, and about 60 all-virtual panels from around the globe on topics ranging from Southeast Asian SFF Publishing to New Speculative Fiction From Eastern Europe to SFF’s Role in Revolution on the African Continent. We won’t stop updating the schedule until the convention closes, so check back often.
Got Ribbons? We Do!
Collecting ribbons at Worldcon is a long-standing tradition, and we have several to get you started! Some ribbons will be available at registration (My First Worldcon, Business Meeting Attendee, Hugo Awards Voter, Virtual Worldcon, and more!), as well as multiple “Ask Me About” ribbons available in the second floor exhibit hall if you are seeking conversation starters. You can also get ribbons for participating in various events, such as our single pattern contest or prop contest, donating to some of our charity partners, or wearing an excellent hall costume.
Volunteers Needed for the Masquerade
The whole modern world of cosplay evolved from the Worldcon Masquerade, which got its start when Myrtle Douglas and Forrest Ackerman showed up to the first Worldcon wearing futuristic costumes in 1939. You can be part of the magic in many meaningful ways (besides competing!). Volunteers are needed for the Masquerade Pre-Registration Desk and to be Den Moms, den assistants, catchers, photography escorts, and stage crew during the show and rehearsals. You can go to our website for an explanation of volunteer roles, and email volunteers@seattlein2025.org to get involved during con.
KiddieCorps Drop-Off Childcare Hours Adjusted
We’ve adjusted the hours available to our members for drop-off childcare with KiddieCorps based on the hours people have reserved. We’re now offering childcare 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sunday. Please book early!
Discover Hidden Treasures in the Freebies Lounge
The Freebies Lounge is now fully stocked and ready for your next literary adventure! Pallets of books are staged in the warehouse, just waiting to be browsed, discovered, and enjoyed. While the dealer’s room offers a fantastic selection of books for purchase, don’t miss the chance to explore the Freebies Lounge and take a chance on an unknown author, or try your luck finding one of many goodies and literary gems.
In the Freebies Lounge you will find:
- Author copies: personal donations from some of your favorite authors.
- ARCs, galleys, & new releases: generously provided by Hugo-nominated publishers including Tor, Penguin Random House, Bloomsbury, Dark Horse Comics, Aqueduct Press, and more.
- Magazines: issues from Asimov’s, Analog, Alfred Hitchcock, Clarkesworld, and others.
- Award-winning indie titles: discover hidden gems and support small press and self-published authors by reading and reviewing their work.
- Second-hand books: Curated from the impressive personal libraries of our members.
New this year: we’re hosting book signings right in the Freebies Lounge!
Authors: stop by to sign up for a slot.
Fans: check the schedule board in the Lounge to meet your favorite writers.
Whether you’re looking to find your next great read, meet authors, volunteer, or just relax with a good book, the Freebies Lounge is the place to be.
For more information, email us at freebies@seattlein2025.org.
A Daily ‘Zine That’s For You and By You
Seattle Worldcon 2025, as many Worldcons before it, will have a Daily ’Zine. The ’Zine is a twice-a-day official news sheet that is full of information and some interactive fun for you each day of the convention – and some of that comes from you!
We welcome your submissions.
Did you have a memorable or funny meeting with one of our honorable guests or another con attendee? Send in a short paragraph!
- Did you overhear something wonderfully odd and nerdy (things you’re only going to hear at a sci-fi and fantasy convention that have you chuckling with fannish delight)? Send that line or short dialog to us!
- Did you attend a gathering, party or event you want to crow about? Send in a blurb!
- Are you an artist with a great, geeky sense of humor? Submit your single-panel comic!
- See something cool – costumes, groups having fun, a visiting time traveler who missed the World’s Fair by 63 years? A photo is always welcome – send it in!
Email your content and ideas to zine@seattlein2025.org.
The ‘Zine will be available each morning and afternoon of Seattle Worldcon – on the website, in Guidebook, at the Information Desk, in Safer Spaces lounges and in the Worldcon Cantina.
What Are We Forgetting?
Oh yeah, the Film Festival, Fringe events, Regency ball, group costume day, live musical theater, guest of honor signings and events, walk-up volunteer opportunities, site selection voting, the frakkin’ Hugo Award Ceremony—well we could go on. We’re most excited to see you at our convention (in-person or virtually) in less than two weeks! Eep!
Save Time and Download Guidebook Before Con!
Our amazing mobile app lays out much more than just the convention schedule, but shows other information about the art show, dealers’ room, and many other activities, all connected to maps and other convention information. Guidebook is a download to your phone, and downloading it in advance will save you time and bandwidth onsite, where your phone or tablet will only need to download updates. And you can start building your personal schedule today! Just search for Guidebook at your favorite app store and search within it for the Seattle Worldcon 2025 guide, or go straight to our Guidebook webpage which presents similar information as the mobile app and includes a scannable QR code.
https://seattlein2025.org/2025/08/03/newsletter-august-2025-how-to-information-included/
#Childcare #ConventionPortal #Discord #FreebiesLounge #Guidebook #Masquerade #RestaurantGuide #Ribbons #schedule #Virtual
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Seattle Worldcon 2025
Seattle Worldcon 2025
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