The annual World Horror Conventions had historically been held in the United States or Canada, usually alternating between east and west sides of the continent. In 2010, the convention was held outside North America for the first time, in Brighton, UK.
The bids from potential committees are presented to the members of the board of directors of the World Horror Society, who then decide where future conventions will be held. Bids are usually made two years before the specific year (e.g., bids for 2001 were considered in 1999). The Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Award® ceremony had been held in conjunction with the convention for some years but now that is normally only the case in even-numbered years. In odd-numbered years the HWA stages the ceremony at its own convention, the Bram Stoker Awards Weekend. The World Horror Convention Grand Master Award is given every year at the Convention.
Conventions are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent conventions listed at the top.
World Horror Convention 2013 - New Orleans, United States, in conjunction with the Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Awards Weekend.Author Guests of Honor:
Ramsey Campbell, Caitlin R. Kiernan and Jonathan MaberryArtist Guest of Honor: Glenn ChadbourneEditor Guest of Honor: John Joseph AdamsPoet Guest of Honor: Bruce BostonToastmaster: Jeff Strand
World Horror Convention 2012 - Salt Lake City, United StatesAuthor Guests of Honor: Sherrilyn KenyonArtist Guest of Honor: Mike MignolaSpecial Guest: Rocky WoodHorror Writers Association Guests of Honor:
Joe R. Lansdale, Karen Lansdale, and Robert McCammonToastmistress: P. N. ElrodHWA Special Guests:
Dacre Stoker and Jeff StrandGrand Master: T. E. D. Klein
World Horror Convention 2011 - Austin, Texas, United StatesAuthor Guests of Honor:
Sarah Langan and Joe HillMedia Guest of Honor: Steve NilesEditor Guests of Honor:
Brett Alexander Savory and Sandra KasturiArtist Guest of Honor: Vincent ChongToastmaster: Joe R. LansdaleSpecial Guests:
Brian Keene and Del HowisonGrand Master:
Jack KetchumWorld Horror Convention 2010 - Brighton, UKAuthor Guests of Honor:
Tanith Lee and David CaseEditor Guest of Honor: Hugh LambArtist Guests of Honor:
Les Edwards and Dave CarsonSpecial Guest of Honor: James HerbertMistress of Ceremonies: Jo FletcherSpecial Media Guest: Ingrid PittWorld Horror Society Lifetime Achievement Award: Basil CopperGrand Master:
James HerbertWorld Horror Convention 2009 - Winnipeg, CanadaGuests of Honor: Conrad Williams,
Edo van Belkom, F. Paul Wilson, and Joshua GeeArtist Guest of Honor: Tommy CastilloGrand Master:
Tanith LeeWorld Horror Convention 2008 - Salt Lake City, Utah, United StatesAuthor Guest of Honor: Dennis EtchisonArtist Guest of Honor: John Jude PalencarToastmaster: Simon ClarkAcademic Guest of Honor: Michael R. CollingsSpecial Guest: Jeff StrandSpecial Guest: Dave Dinsmore
http://www.whc2008.org/World Horror Convention 2007 - Toronto, CanadaAuthor Guests of Honor:
Michael Marshall Smith,
Nancy Kilpatrick,Artist Guest of Honor: John PicacioEditor Guests of Honor:
Peter Crowther & Don HutchisonMedia Guest of Honor:
Peter Atkinshttp://www.whc2007.org/World Horror 2006 - San Francisco, United StatesAuthor Guests of Honor:
Kim Newman, Koji SuzukiToastmaster: Peter StraubArtist Guest of Honor: BromMedia Guest of Honor: Bill MoseleyEditor Guest of Honor:
John Pelanhttp://www.whc2006.org/World Horror 2005 - New York City, United StatesAuthor Guests of Honor:
Harlan Ellison, Joe R. Lansdale,
Tim Lebbon, Tom Piccirilli,
Jack Ketchum,
Mort Castle, Amber BensonFilmmaker Guest of Honor: Mick GarrisArtist Guest of Honor: Allen KoszowskiEditor Guests of Honor: Tom and Elizabeth MonteleoneMasters of Ceremonies: Stan Wiater and Poet
Linda AddisonWorld Horror 2004 - Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesAuthor Guest of Honor: Douglas CleggArtist Guest of Honor: Jeremy CanigliaEditor Guest of Honor: Stephen JonesMedia Guest of Honor: Dee SniderSpecial Guest of Honor: Adam NiswanderGrand Master:
Jack Williamsonhttp://www.whc2004.org/World Horror 2003 - Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesAuthor Guest of Honor: Brian A. HopkinsPublisher Guest of Honor: Don D'AuriaArtist Guest of Honor: Nick SmithSpecial Guest of Honor: Forrest J. AckermanMistress of Ceremonies: Laurell K. HamiltonGrand Master:
Chelsea Quinn YarbroWorld Horror 2002 - Chicago, United StatesAuthor Guests of Honor:
Gene Wolfe, Neil GaimanEditor Guests of Honor: Melissa Ann SingerArtist Guest of Honor: Randy BroeckerPoetry Guest of Honor: Jo FletcherPhotography Guest of Honor: Beth GwinnMusic Guest of Honor: Liz Mandville GreesonComics and Young Adult Guest of Honor: Jill ThompsonMedia Guests:
Rich Koz,
Patricia Tallman, Robert Z'DarSpecial Guests:
Karen E. Taylor,
Yvonne Navarro, Brian A. HopkinsGrand Master:
Charles L. GrantWorld Horror 2001 - Seattle, United States, in conjunction with the Horror Writers Association's Bram Stoker Awards Weekend.Guest of Honor in Memoriam: Richard LaymonWriter Guests of Honor:
Simon Clark,
Michael Slade, Jessica Amanda SalmonsonPublisher Guests of Honor: Barbara Roden, Christopher RodenArtist Guest of Honor: Charles VessGrand Master:
Ray Bradburyhttp://www.whc2001.org/World Horror 2000 - Denver, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor:
Peter Straub,
Melanie Tem,
Steve Rasnic Tem, J. Michael Straczynski, Graham JoyceArtist Guest of Honor: Rick LiederEditor Guest of Honor: Ellen DatlowMaster of Ceremonies: Dan SimmonsGrand Master:
Harlan EllisonWorld Horror 1999 - Atlanta, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor:
Michael Bishop, John ShirleyArtist Guest of Honor: Lisa SnellingsMaster of Ceremonies: Neil GaimanGrand Master:
Ramsey CampbellWorld Horror 1998 - Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor: Brian LumleyArtist Guest of Honor: Bernie WrightsonMedia Guest of Honor: Tom SaviniPublisher Guest of Honor: Tom DohertyMaster of Ceremonies: John SteakleyGrand Master:
Brian LumleyWorld Horror 1997 - Niagara Falls, New York, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor: Ramsey Campbell,
Poppy Z. Brite, Joe R. LansdaleArtist Guest of Honor: Rick BerryMedia Guest of Honor: Gunnar HansenEditor Guest of Honor: Darrell SchweitzerMaster of Ceremonies: Edo van BelkomGrand Master:
Peter StraubWorld Horror 1996 - Eugene, Oregon, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor:
Clive Barker,
Charles de Lint,
Nina Kiriki Hoffman,
Don Maitz, Janny WurtsSpecial Guests:
Tim Powers, Edward BryantGrand Master:
Dean KoontzWorld Horror 1995 - Atlanta, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor:
John Farris,
Neil Gaiman, R. L. StineArtist Guest of Honor: Alan M. ClarkSpecial Media Guest: Alice CooperMaster of Ceremonies: Brian LumleyGrand Master:
Clive BarkerWorld Horror 1994 - Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor: Charles L. Grant, Dan SimmonsArtist Guest of Honor: Gahan WilsonMaster of Ceremonies: Edward BryantGrand Master:
Anne RiceWorld Horror 1993 - Stamford, Connecticut, United StatesWriter Guests of Honor: Peter Straub, Les DanielsArtist Guest of Honor: Stephen GervaisSpecial Media Guest: Paul ClemensMaster of Ceremonies: Stanley WiaterGrand Master:
Richard MathesonWorld Horror 1992 - Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesWriter Guest of Honor: Richard MathesonArtist Guest of Honor: Harry O. MorrisSpecial Media Guest: Richard Christian MathesonMaster of Ceremonies: Brian LumleyGrand Master:
Stephen KingWorld Horror 1991 - Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesWriter Guest of Honor: Chelsea Quinn YarbroArtist Guest of Honor: Jill BaumanMasters of Ceremonies:
David J. Schow,
John Skipp, Craig Spector, Richard Christian MathesonGrand Master:
Robert Bloch