VidCon explained

VidCon
Organizer:Independent (2010–2018)
Viacom (2018–2019)
Paramount Global (2019–present)
Status:Active
Genre:Online video influencer conference
Venue:Hyatt Regency Century Plaza (2010–11)
Anaheim Convention Center (2012–present)
Location:Los Angeles, California (2010–11)
Anaheim, California (2012–present)
Country:United States
Last:June 26 – 29, 2024
Next:TBD
Footnotes:[1]
Attendance:75,000 (2019)

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) in 2018. 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.

History

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 expand its live events business and expand from TV programming to next-generation entertainment platforms. Jim Louderback will remain the CEO of the convention, and co-founder Hank Green will continue to be involved and work closely with the team. Its offices will also 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] would allow the convention to flourish.[7] [8] Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming, VidCon Now, became available for registration.[9]

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.[10] VidCon also announced that TikTok would be the top sponsor of the 2021 event, replacing YouTube who had been the main sponsor since 2013.[11] 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." The convention was rescheduled to June 22–25, 2022 in Anaheim.[12] The 2023 event was held between June 21–24 and was sponsored by YouTube for the first time since 2019.

Attendance

Year Venue Attendance
2010Hyatt Regency Century Plaza1,400
20112,500[13]
2012Anaheim Convention Center7,000[14]
201312,000[15]
201418,000[16]
201520,000[17]
201626,400[18]
201731,000[19]
201875,000[20]
201975,000[21]
2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
202250,000[22]
202355,000[23]
202455,000[24]

International conventions

ConventionCountryLocation(s)VenueInaugural eventMost recent
VidCon London
April 8–9, 2017February 20–23, 2020
VidCon Australia AustraliaMelbourneMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreSeptember 9–10, 2017September 19–22, 2019
VidCon Asia SingaporeSingaporeRaffles City Convention CentreDecember 3–4, 2019November 25, 2021
VidCon Abu Dhabi United Arab EmiratesAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi National Exhibition CentreDecember 3–6, 2021
VidCon Mexico MexicoMexico CityCitibanamex CenterMay 6–9, 2021

Notes and References

  1. Web site: VidCon 2019. CNN. July 15, 2019. December 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: Twitter / VidCon 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170405215034/https://twitter.com/vidcon/status/17442001779. April 5, 2017.
  3. News: Vidcon conference celebrates YouTube culture. Los Angeles Times. Alex. Pham. July 10, 2010. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006234013/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/10/business/la-fi-ct-youtube-20100710. October 6, 2014.
  4. News: Lopez. Ricardo. Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE). May 6, 2018. Variety. February 5, 2018.
  5. News: Spangler. Todd. Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference. May 6, 2018. Variety. February 7, 2018.
  6. News: Spangler. Todd. YouTubers React to Viacom's VidCon Acquisition. May 6, 2018. Variety. February 9, 2018.
  7. News: Lopez. Ricardo. February 5, 2018. Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. May 6, 2018.
  8. News: Spangler. Todd. February 7, 2018. Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference. Variety. May 6, 2018.
  9. Web site: VidCon Isn't Happening in Anaheim, So It's Launching a Free Series of Online Programming All Summer. Variety. June 15, 2020. June 15, 2020.
  10. Web site: VidCon 2021 Sets Dates, Featured Creators for Return to Anaheim Convention Center. Todd. Spangler. March 23, 2021.
  11. News: Lorenz. Taylor. 2021-06-16. TikTok takes over the top sponsor spot at VidCon, edging out YouTube.. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-06-26. 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: Spangler. Todd. 2021-08-20. VidCon 2021 Canceled After Rise in COVID Cases. 2021-08-20. Variety. en-US.
  13. News: Wallenstein. Andrew. August 1, 2011. VidCon revels in YouTube. Variety. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20111031210922/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118040686. October 31, 2011.
  14. News: Miller. Liz Shannon. July 1, 2012. VidCon 2012: love, respect and double rainbows. GigaOM. dead. July 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120702073908/http://gigaom.com/video/vidcon-2012-love-respect-and-double-rainbows/. July 2, 2012.
  15. News: Graham. Jefferson. August 4, 2013. VidCon brings out YouTube fans. USA Today. live. August 6, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130805185514/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/talkingtech/2013/08/04/vidcon-brings-out-youtube-fans/2616897/. August 5, 2013.
  16. Web site: Hamedy. Saba. VidCon 2014: 5 things you may have missed (picture 4 caption). Los Angeles Times. June 29, 2014. August 12, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811151217/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-ct-vidcon-2014-five-things-you-may-have-missed-20140629-htmlstory.html. August 11, 2014.
  17. America. Kia Motors. Kia Motors Engages and Empowers Fans at VidCon 2015. 2020-12-09. www.prnewswire.com. en.
  18. Web site: 2017-06-13. 28 Reasons Why VidCon 2017 is a Must-Attend Event for Publishers, Brands, & Marketers. 2020-12-09. Tubular Insights. en-US.
  19. Web site: 2018-02-21. VidCon, World's Largest Online Video Conference, Set for Return to Melbourne. 2020-12-09. www.melbournecb.com.au. en-us.
  20. Web site: Bloom. David. A Decade After The Basement Ballroom, VidCon Has Become Essential In Influencer World. 2020-12-08. Forbes. en.
  21. Web site: Kaya. Yurieff. Teens, screams and celebrity YouTubers: This is VidCon 2019. 2020-12-09. CNN. July 15, 2019 .
  22. News: Chan . J. Clara . Even Top Creators Find That Star Power Is Fleeting . October 18, 2022 . Hollywood Reporter . June 28, 2022. and Dickson . E. J. . VidCon 2022 Was a Candy-Colored, Covid-Spreading, Content-Creating Extravaganza . October 18, 2022 . Rolling Stone . June 29, 2022.
  23. News: Hoffman . Claire . VidCon 2023: All the Eclectic Booths and Lounges That Caught Our Eye This Year . 14 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014143214/https://www.bizbash.com/production-strategy/experiential-marketing-activations-sponsorships/media-gallery/22866444/highlights-from-vidcon-2023-activations. October 14, 2023.
  24. Web site: About | VidCon Anaheim 2024 . VidCon . 10 July 2024 .