The World Science Fiction Society was established in the lead-up to the first Worldcon (World Science Fiction Convention) in New York City (New York) in 1939. Since then the society has taken responsibility for choosing the recipients of the annual Hugo Awards (Science Fiction Achievement Awards), and for deciding upon the locations and committees for its annual conventions. These include the Chicons (Chicago) and occasional North American Science Fiction Conventions (NASFiCs).
Although each convention is independently organised and run, the WSFS maintains overall authority and responsibility through its Constitution and Standing Rules.
