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VidCon

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For the electronic camera tube, see Vidicon.

VidCon
StatusActive
GenreOnline video influencer conference
VenueHyatt Regency Century Plaza (2010–11)
Anaheim Convention Center (2012–present)
Location(s)Los Angeles, California (2010–11)
Anaheim, California (2012–present)
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJuly 9, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-07-09)
Most recentJune 26 – 29, 2024
Next eventTBD
Attendance75,000 (2019)
Organized byIndependent (2010–2018)
Viacom (2018–2019)
Paramount Global (2019–present)
Websitevidcon.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) 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

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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 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

[edit]
Year Venue Attendance Ref.
2010 Hyatt Regency Century Plaza 1,400 [3]
2011 2,500 [13]
2012 Anaheim Convention Center 7,000 [14]
2013 12,000 [15]
2014 18,000 [16]
2015 20,000 [17]
2016 26,400 [18]
2017 31,000 [19]
2018 75,000 [20]
2019 75,000 [21]
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
2022 50,000 [22]
2023 55,000 [23]
2024 55,000 [24]

International conventions

[edit]
Convention Country Location(s) Venue Inaugural event Most recent
VidCon London
(Formerly VidCon Europe) 		 Netherlands (2017–18)
 United Kingdom (2019–2020) 		Amsterdam (2017–18)
London (2019–2020) 		RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (2017)
Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam (2018)
ExCeL London (2019–2020) 		April 8–9, 2017 February 20–23, 2020
VidCon Australia  Australia Melbourne Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre September 9–10, 2017 September 19–22, 2019
VidCon Asia  Singapore Singapore Raffles City Convention Centre December 3–4, 2019 November 25, 2021
VidCon Abu Dhabi  United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre December 3–6, 2021 —
VidCon Mexico  Mexico Mexico City Citibanamex Center May 6–9, 2021

References

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  1. ^ "VidCon 2019". CNN. July 15, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Twitter / VidCon 2010". Archived from the original on April 5, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Pham, Alex (July 10, 2010). "Vidcon conference celebrates YouTube culture". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  4. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (February 5, 2018). "Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  5. ^ 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. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (February 5, 2018). "Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 7, 2018). "Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "VidCon Isn't Happening in Anaheim, So It's Launching a Free Series of Online Programming All Summer". Variety. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  10. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 23, 2021). "VidCon 2021 Sets Dates, Featured Creators for Return to Anaheim Convention Center".
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Spangler, Todd (August 20, 2021). "VidCon 2021 Canceled After Rise in COVID Cases". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  13. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (August 1, 2011). "VidCon revels in YouTube". Variety. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Graham, Jefferson (August 4, 2013). "VidCon brings out YouTube fans". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ America, Kia Motors. "Kia Motors Engages and Empowers Fans at VidCon 2015". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  18. ^ "28 Reasons Why VidCon 2017 is a Must-Attend Event for Publishers, Brands, & Marketers". Tubular Insights. June 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "VidCon, World's Largest Online Video Conference, Set for Return to Melbourne". www.melbournecb.com.au. February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  20. ^ Bloom, David. "A Decade After The Basement Ballroom, VidCon Has Become Essential In Influencer World". Forbes. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  21. ^ Yurieff, Kaya (July 15, 2019). "Teens, screams and celebrity YouTubers: This is VidCon 2019". CNN. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "About | VidCon Anaheim 2024". VidCon. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
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