VidCon

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For the electronic camera tube, see Vidicon.

VidCon
John & Hank Green by Gage Skidmore.jpg
VidCon founders Hank and John Green at VidCon 2014
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; 11 years ago (2010-07-09)
Most recentJuly 10–13, 2019
Next eventJune 22–25, 2022
Attendance75,000 (2019)[1]
Organized byIndependent (2010–2018)
Viacom (2018–2019)
ViacomCBS (2019–present)
Websitevidcon.com

VidCon is an annual convention for fans, creators, executives, and brands online. The event primarily features prominent video stars from across the internet. The flagship VidCon US event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019, welcoming 75,000 attendees and over 120 brand exhibitors. In 2020, VidCon launched VidCon Now, its first virtual experience that delivers ongoing weekly programming to its global fan base. Throughout the summer of 2020, VidCon Now streamed the IRL convention with over 150 virtual sessions across all three established tracks and closed out with nearly one million unique viewers, 1.3M total views, and over 9M minutes of watch time. In October 2020, VidCon Now relaunched as an ongoing, free digital offering. VidCon’s international presence continues to expand with additional events planned in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Mexico City, and São Paulo. VidCon was founded by veteran YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers) and was acquired by Viacom (now ViacomCBS) in 2018. Its offices remain in Missoula, Montana, sharing a building with Complexly.

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 to expand from TV programming to next-generation entertainment platforms. Jim Louderback will remain as the CEO of the convention, and co-founder Hank Green will continue be involved and work closely with the team. Its offices will also remain 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 will allow the convention to flourish.[6][7][8] Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming known as 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", and scheduled its next event in Anaheim for June 22–25, 2022.[12]

Attendance[]

Year Venue Attendance Source
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

International conventions[]

Convention Country Location(s) Venue Inaugurated Most recent
VidCon London
(Formerly VidCon Europe) 		 Netherlands (2017–18)
 United Kingdom (2019–present) 		Amsterdam (2017–18)
London (2019–present) 		RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (2017)
Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam (2018)
ExCeL London (2019–present) 		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 —
VidCon US  United States Anaheim, California Anaheim Convention Center June 9 — 11, 2010 July 10–13, 2019

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. ^ 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. 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. 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. ^ Kaya Yurieff. "Teens, screams and celebrity YouTubers: This is VidCon 2019". CNN. Retrieved December 9, 2020.

External links[]

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