VidCon

Last updated

VidCon
Vidcon B&W logo.svg
StatusActive
GenreOnline video influencer conference
Venue
Locations
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJuly 9, 2010;15 years ago (2010-07-09)
Most recentJune 19–21, 2025
Next eventJune 25–27, 2026
Attendance75,000 (2019)
Organized by
Website vidcon.com
[1]

VidCon is an annual convention for influencers, fans, executives, and online brands. The event primarily features prominent video stars from across the internet. It was founded by veteran YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers), and was later acquired by Viacom (now Paramount Skydance) in 2018 and later acquired by Informa in 2024. Its offices remain in Missoula, Montana, sharing a building with Complexly. VidCon's international presence continues to expand with additional events planned in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Mexico City, Australia, and São Paulo. In October 2020, VidCon Now relaunched as an ongoing, free digital offering.

Contents

History

VidCon founders Hank and John Green at VidCon 2014 John & Hank Green by Gage Skidmore.jpg
VidCon founders Hank and John Green at VidCon 2014

The first VidCon was held on July 9–11, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles and sold out in advance, [2] with over 1,400 people attending. [3]

In February 2018, Viacom (owner of the Viacom Media Networks and film studio Paramount Pictures) announced that they were acquiring VidCon, as part of its efforts to increase its live events business and expand beyond television. Jim Louderback remained the CEO of the convention, and co-founder Hank Green continued his involvement. Its offices continued to exist in Missoula, Montana. [4] [5] Internet reception to this acquisition was mixed, with some noting the irony of Viacom acquiring VidCon a decade after their lawsuit against Google and YouTube for copyright infringement. Hank Green reassured fans that Viacom's acquisition [6] was a positive development that would help the convention's growth. [4] [5] Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming, VidCon Now, became available for registration. [7]

In 2020, all international VidCon events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] While the flagship convention in Anaheim, California resumed in 2022, international editions such as VidCon London, VidCon Australia, and VidCon Asia have not returned.[ citation needed ] A limited expansion has continued in Mexico City, but no other international locations have been announced.[ citation needed ]

In March 2021, VidCon announced that it would host its next U.S. conference at the Anaheim Convention Center from October 22–24, 2021, delayed from its usual summer scheduling in order to increase the chance that an in-person event could be held. [9] VidCon also announced that TikTok would be the top sponsor of the 2021 event, replacing YouTube who had been the main sponsor since 2013. [10] On August 20, however, VidCon announced the cancellation of its 2021 event "due to the recent increases in COVID-19 cases [in California] and evolving health and safety mandates." [11] The convention was rescheduled to June 22–25, 2022 in Anaheim. [11] The 2023 event was held between June 21–24, with YouTube returning as the sponsor. [12]

In April 2024, Viacom's successor Paramount Global hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips to locate a buyer for VidCon. [13] In August 2024, Paramount completed the sale of VidCon to Informa. [14] [15] Following the acquisition, Informa executives stated their ambition to eventually bring VidCon back to global markets, describing Anaheim as the "Super Bowl for creators" and indicating that international expansion may be revisited in the future. [16]

Events

YearDateVenueCityCountryAttendanceRef.
VidCon 2010July 9–11, 2010 Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 1,400 [3]
VidCon 2011July 28–30, 20112,500 [17]
VidCon 2012June 29–30, 2012 Anaheim Convention Center 7,000 [18]
VidCon 2013August 1–3, 201312,000 [19]
VidCon 2014June 26–28, 201418,000 [20]
VidCon 2015July 23–25, 201520,000 [21]
VidCon 2016June 23–25, 201626,400 [22]
VidCon Europe 2017April 8–9, 2017 RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre Amsterdam, North Holland Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 3,500 [23]
VidCon 2017June 22–24, 2017 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 31,000 [24]
VidCon Australia 2017September 9–10, 2017 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Victoria Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia [25]
VidCon Europe 2018March 22–24, 2018 Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam Amsterdam, North Holland Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands [26]
VidCon 2018June 20–23, 2018 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 75,000 [27]
VidCon Australia 2018August 31–September 2, 2018 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Victoria Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 7,000+ [28] [29]
VidCon London 2019February 14–17, 2019 ExCeL London London, England Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg United Kingdom 13,000 [30] [31]
VidCon 2019July 10–13, 2019 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 75,000 [32]
VidCon Australia 2019September 19–22, 2019 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Victoria Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia [33]
VidCon AsiaDec 3, 2019 – Dec 4, 2019 Raffles City Convention Center Downtown Core Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore 600+ [34] [35]
VidCon London 2020February 20–23, 2020 ExCeL London London, England Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg United Kingdom [36]
VidCon 2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon 2021
VidCon Asia 2021November 25, 2021 Suntec Convention Centre Marina Centre Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore
VidCon Abu DhabiDecember 3–6, 2021 Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Abu Dhabi Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates
VidCon Mexico 2021December 3–6, 2021 Citibanamex Center Mexico City Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
VidCon 2022June 22–25, 2022 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 50,000 [37]
VidCon Mexico 2022September 23–25, 2022 Citibanamex Center Mexico City Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
VidCon Anaheim 2023June 21–24, 2023 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 55,000 [38]
VidCon Anaheim 2024June 26–29, 2024 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States 55,000 [39]
VidCon Mexico 2024August 9–11, 2024 Citibanamex Center Mexico City Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
VidCon Anaheim 2025June 19–21, 2025 Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, California Flag of the United States.svg United States

International conventions

ConventionCountryLocation(s)VenueInaugural eventMost recent
VidCon London
(Formerly VidCon Europe)		Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands (2017–2018)
Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg United Kingdom (2019–2020)		 Amsterdam (2017–2018)
London (2019–2020)		 RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (2017)
Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam (2018)
ExCeL London (2019–2020)		April 8–9, 2017February 20–23, 2020
VidCon AustraliaFlag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Melbourne Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre September 9–10, 2017September 19–22, 2019
VidCon AsiaFlag of Singapore.svg Singapore Singapore Raffles City Convention Centre December 3–4, 2019November 25, 2021
VidCon Abu DhabiFlag of the United Arab Emirates.svg United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre December 3–6, 2021—
VidCon MexicoFlag of Mexico.svg Mexico Mexico City Citibanamex CenterMay 6–9, 2021August 9–11, 2024

References

  1. ↑ "VidCon 2019". CNN. July 15, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Twitter / VidCon 2010". Archived from the original on April 5, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Pham, Alex (July 10, 2010). "Vidcon conference celebrates YouTube culture". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Lopez, Ricardo (February 5, 2018). "Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Spangler, Todd (February 7, 2018). "Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  6. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 9, 2018). "YouTubers React to Viacom's VidCon Acquisition". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ Spangler, Todd (June 15, 2020). "VidCon Isn't Happening in Anaheim, So It's Launching a Free Series of Online Programming All Summer". Variety . Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  8. ↑ Spangler, Todd (March 23, 2020). "VidCon 2020 Canceled Because of Coronavirus Pandemic". Variety . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  9. ↑ Spangler, Todd (March 23, 2021). "VidCon 2021 Sets Dates, Featured Creators for Return to Anaheim Convention Center". Variety .
  10. ↑ Lorenz, Taylor (June 16, 2021). "TikTok takes over the top sponsor spot at VidCon, edging out YouTube". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Spangler, Todd (August 20, 2021). "VidCon 2021 Canceled After Rise in COVID Cases". Variety . Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ Hamedy, Saba (January 18, 2023). "YouTube returns as the title sponsor of VidCon after TikTok's one-year stint". NBC News . Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  13. ↑ Stenberg, Mark; Perloff, Catherine (April 11, 2024). "Paramount Hires a Bank to Explore the Sale of VidCon" . Adweek . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ Perelli, Amanda; Whateley, Dan; Bradley, Sydney (August 30, 2024). "Paramount is selling its creator conference VidCon to the owner of Fan Expo". Business Insider . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  15. ↑ Knolle, Sharon (September 2, 2024). "Paramount Sells VidCon Creator Conference to UK Firm Informa" . TheWrap . Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ Weprin, Alex (June 12, 2025). "VidCon's New Owner Has Big Plans for the Creator Economy's Flagship Convention". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on June 14, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ Wallenstein, Andrew (August 1, 2011). "VidCon revels in YouTube". Variety. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  18. ↑ Miller, Liz Shannon (July 1, 2012). "VidCon 2012: love, respect and double rainbows". GigaOM . Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  19. ↑ Graham, Jefferson (August 4, 2013). "VidCon brings out YouTube fans". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  20. ↑ Hamedy, Saba (June 29, 2014). "VidCon 2014: 5 things you may have missed (picture 4 caption)". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  21. ↑ America, Kia Motors. "Kia Motors Engages and Empowers Fans at VidCon 2015". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  22. ↑ "28 Reasons Why VidCon 2017 is a Must-Attend Event for Publishers, Brands, & Marketers". Tubular Insights. June 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  23. ↑ Biddle, Jo (April 9, 2017). "Thousands pack Europe's first VidCon for online stars". GMA News Online . Agence France-Presse. NewsBank 163A8F9D671BF680 . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  24. ↑ "VidCon, World's Largest Online Video Conference, Set for Return to Melbourne". www.melbournecb.com.au. February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  25. ↑ Ritche, Emily (September 9, 2017). "A new career that comes out of a (You)Tube". The Australian . p. 3. NewsBank 166CB971C40C77F0.
  26. ↑ Gosling, Simon (March 22, 2018). "Simon Gosling: 'We worden juist steeds minder afhankelijk van tech'" [Simon Gosling: 'We are actually becoming less and less dependent on tech']. Algemeen Dagblad (Interview) (in Dutch). Interviewed by Lucas Boon. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ Bloom, David. "A Decade After The Basement Ballroom, VidCon Has Become Essential In Influencer World". Forbes . Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  28. ↑ Lancaster, Brodie (September 4, 2018). "VidCon Australia, where YouTube celebrities and fans bank on their luck". The Guardian . Gale   A552882283 . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  29. ↑ Alison, Genevieve; Rose, Tasmin (February 23, 2019). "Alive & clicking". Herald Sun . NewsBank 171C0C67414BB210. When the world's largest online video conference, VidCon, came to Melbourne for its second year, more than 7000 fans showed up to meet their online idols.
  30. ↑ Szalai, George (February 11, 2019). "VidCon London to Put Spotlight on U.K. YouTube Stars". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  31. ↑ Spangler, Todd (July 11, 2019). "VidCon Sets First Move Into Asia With Singapore Summit in December 2019". Variety . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  32. ↑ Yurieff, Kaya (July 15, 2019). "Teens, screams and celebrity YouTubers: This is VidCon 2019". CNN. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  33. ↑ "What you can expect from the jaw-dropping VidCon Australia program". Beat Magazine . September 6, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  34. ↑ "VidCon Asia Summit, Ajang Berbagi Pengetahuan Para Pakar Industri Digital Dunia" [VidCon Asia Summit: A Platform for Global Digital Industry Experts to Share Knowledge]. Asia Today (in Indonesian). December 26, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Announcements — Recap: VidCon Asia". Facebook . January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on April 7, 2026. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  36. ↑ Griffin, Louise (February 14, 2020). "Everything you need to know about VidCon London as Tana Mongeau and JackSepticEye attend for first time". Metro . Retrieved April 7, 2026.
  37. ↑ Chan, J. Clara (June 28, 2022). "Even Top Creators Find That Star Power Is Fleeting". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 18, 2022. and Dickson, E. J. (June 29, 2022). "VidCon 2022 Was a Candy-Colored, Covid-Spreading, Content-Creating Extravaganza". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  38. ↑ Hoffman, Claire. "VidCon 2023: All the Eclectic Booths and Lounges That Caught Our Eye This Year". Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  39. ↑ "About | VidCon Anaheim 2024". VidCon. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024.
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