World Fantasy is a bit different than most other sf conventions and, yes, it is WAY different than writers’ workshops/conferences like Surrey or Pikes Peak that focus on teaching the craft and business of writing. Other cons have lots of programming choices, but, certainly for the past few years, WFC programming has been very light, even compared to small local cons. The few panels are very much centered on the theme (ghosts, this year) - which leaves a lot of ground uncovered (and often bores me to tears). WFC is a great opportunity to meet lots of fantasy authors in one place - even legendary figures like Patricia McKillip and Guy Kay and Gene Wolfe - and to hear them read, but if you’re not into readings that’s a bust. Which leaves networking.

WFC is actually more of a family reunion than a full-bodied con. People come to meet friends and professional acquaintances and eat and drink and talk. At my first WFC, I felt very much the same as you. I ran into exactly one person than I knew. She had been to another WFC and introduced me to two people she knew. I still spent lots of time in my room and swore never to go to WFC again. But I tried one more time, and now, seven years later, I go to WFC specifically to see a whole conglomeration of people who come almost every year. Yet I (and many other authors) do love it when someone new comes up to me and says, “could we talk?” or “do you have time for a cup of tea?” That’s how I’ve met a number of my best writing friends, published and unpublished.

That’s my experience,
Carol

More related to the topic at hand, when I went to the Mexico City Fantasy Arts Festival a few years ago, I also noted that the audience mostly consisted of younger fans, and the oldest people there were some of the Mexican authors. Which didn’t mean that there wasn’t a fannish culture, but that it wasn’t this odd monolith with its own traditions and secret handshakes.

But also, the kids here are all right, too. Maybe they’re not into the same conventions in the same way. I noted plenty of younger people at Wiscon, forex. And while reading levels overall are down, YA and teen reading is still going well in the marketplace and of course urban fantasy and paranormal is going strong. So - I dunno. Maybe it’s just not their thing, and why should it be?

Israel’s fandom is just young. By ICon 21, 31, 41 etc. (this was 11), I hope they’ll see a broader range of readers and players enjoying the gathering.

Carol

You find a younger skew at the gaming cons, the anime cons and the comics conventions, and sometimes there you will find cons organized and run by younger people, but there is still a lot of grey in the cons.

Of course, I think there always has been, which isn’t that bad a thing.

How interesting to hear about a con experience in another country. I wish I had the resources to attend more cons period, never mind one outside the USA! Sounds like they really ran things well. If only the local cons could be so good…