Beware of Old Convention Web Domains
Why older convention sites were decommissioned and retired, how expired domains can be misused, and where to find current official event information.
Website addresses once used for international conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses may still appear in saved bookmarks, old emails, or shared messages long after the events have ended. However, previous use for an official convention does not guarantee that an address remains under the organization’s control. If a retired domain is released and acquired by an unrelated party, an old link can lead to deceptive pages, harmful downloads, or content unrelated to the original event. Understanding why older convention websites were retired and where to find current official information can help prevent misplaced trust in outdated links.
Why earlier convention websites were retired
Before 2021, special (now discontinued) and international conventions used year-specific domains. Each website served as a central portal for the event, providing information for delegates and volunteers. These event-specific websites generally remained online for a few years rather than operating as permanent portals.
After an event ended, the website was no longer actively used for convention arrangements but remained accessible and functional for a limited period. Existing information remained available, and permitted changes could still be made. Eventually, the information was archived or deleted, and the website was decommissioned.
Closing a website did not immediately mean giving up the associated domain. The organization retained control of retired addresses for a period after the websites were taken out of service. Following the introduction of a permanent event portal, some older year-specific domain registrations were eventually allowed to lapse.
What happens when a domain is released?
Retiring a website and releasing a domain are separate events. A domain can remain registered even when no active website is available. If the registration is not renewed, however, the address may eventually become available to another party. Expiration does not necessarily make a domain available immediately, since recovery periods and other registration procedures may apply.
Once another party acquires the domain, the same address can lead to a completely different website. Old bookmarks and links may continue directing visitors to the address despite the change in control. Familiarity with the original website can therefore create misplaced confidence in the replacement.
Not every re-registered domain is harmful. Some are held for resale or used for legitimate, unrelated purposes. Nevertheless, previous ownership does not establish the authenticity or safety of the current website.
How an old address can be misused
A familiar address can make an unfamiliar website seem trustworthy. Possible risks include the following.
| Risk | What may happen |
|---|---|
| Phishing and impersonation | A convincing imitation page may use familiar branding to request passwords, personal details, or payment information. |
| Harmful downloads | A deceptive website may encourage installation of unwanted or malicious software, potentially exposing devices and personal information. |
| Misleading redirects | An old address may send visitors to a different website, taking advantage of traffic from references left online after the original site closed. |
These are possible consequences of a change in control, not a claim that every retired convention domain has been compromised.
A secure connection indicator is also insufficient proof of authenticity. HTTPS encrypts the connection to a website, but does not confirm that the website belongs to the organization. Deceptive websites can use HTTPS and display normal connection-security indicators.
Where to find current convention information
The current event portal is events.jw.org. General convention information, program details, and public resources are also available through the convention section of JW.ORG®.
The event portal previously used jwevent.org before the move to the current address in mid-2026.
Bookmarks and saved shortcuts should point to events.jw.org rather than retired year-specific websites. Current official sources provide a better starting point than old email threads, social-media posts, or previously shared event links.
Practical precautions when following convention links
Replace outdated bookmarks and shortcuts. Remove saved links to retired year-specific convention websites and replace outdated event-portal bookmarks with the current address. There is no need to revisit an obsolete website merely to check whether the original content remains available.
Verify unexpected requests before providing information. Inspect the full destination address rather than relying on a page title, logo, or familiar photograph. Unexpected requests for passwords, personal information, or payments should be checked through a known official website or an established contact. Contact details supplied by a questionable page should not be used as the basis for verification.
Keep software updated and respect browser warnings. Browser, operating-system, and security-software updates help protect against threats. Built-in phishing and malware protection can warn about dangerous websites and downloads. Warnings should not be bypassed simply because an address was trusted in the past.
Report suspicious pages without encouraging visits. Where available, use the browser’s phishing or deceptive-site reporting option. Firefox, for example, provides a Report deceptive site feature. When sharing a warning, describe the concern without distributing clickable links that could encourage unnecessary visits.
Conclusion
A convention website address should not be trusted solely because of a past association with an official event. Removing outdated shortcuts, checking unexpected requests through established channels, and respecting browser warnings are sensible precautions against deception.
For current event information, use events.jw.org and the convention resources on JW.ORG®. Keeping saved links current helps prevent an old convention address from becoming an unnecessary security risk.