VidCon

VidCon
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
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 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.

History

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]

YouTubers Connor Franta, Sam Pottorff, Trevi Moran, Kian Lawley, JC Caylen and Ricky Dillon at VidCon 2014

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. In September 2024, Viacom's successor Paramount Global sold VidCon to Informa.[13]

In 2020, all international VidCon events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the flagship convention in Anaheim, California resumed in 2022, international editions such as VidCon London, VidCon Australia, and VidCon Asia have not returned. A limited expansion has continued in Mexico City, but no other international locations have been announced. In August 2024, Paramount Global sold VidCon to Informa, the UK-based company behind Fan Expo. 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.

Events

YearDateVenueCityCountryAttendanceRef.
VidCon 2010July 9–11, 2010Hyatt Regency Century PlazaAnaheim, California United States1,400[3]
VidCon 2011July 28–30, 20112,500[14]
VidCon 2012June 29–30, 2012Anaheim Convention Center7,000[15]
VidCon 2013August 1–3, 201312,000[16]
VidCon 2014June 26–28, 201418,000[17]
VidCon 2015July 23–25, 201520,000[18]
VidCon 2016June 23–25, 201626,400[19]
VidCon Europe 2017April 8–9, 2017RAI Amsterdam Convention CentreAmsterdam, North Holland Netherlands
VidCon 2017June 22–24, 2017Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States31,000[20]
VidCon Australia 2017September 9–10, 2017Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, Victoria Australia
VidCon Europe 2018March 22–24, 2018Mövenpick Hotel AmsterdamAmsterdam, North Holland Netherlands
VidCon 2018June 20–23, 2018Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States75,000[21]
VidCon Australia 2018August 31–September 2, 2018Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, Victoria Australia
VidCon London 2019February 14–17, 2019ExCeL LondonLondon, England United Kingdom
VidCon 2019July 10–13, 2019Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States75,000[22]
VidCon Australia 2019September 19–22, 2019Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, Victoria Australia
VidCon AsiaDec 3, 2019 – Dec 4, 2019Raffles City Convention CenterDowntown Core Singapore
VidCon London 2020February 20–23, 2020ExCeL LondonLondon, England United Kingdom
VidCon 2020Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon 2021
VidCon Asia 2021November 25, 2021Suntec Convention CentreMarina Centre Singapore
VidCon Abu DhabiDecember 3–6, 2021Abu Dhabi National Exhibition CentreAbu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
VidCon Mexico 2021December 3–6, 2021Citibanamex CenterMexico City Mexico
VidCon 2022June 22–25, 2022Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States50,000[23]
VidCon Mexico 2022September 23–25, 2022Citibanamex CenterMexico City Mexico
VidCon Anaheim 2023June 21–24, 2023Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States55,000[24]
VidCon Anaheim 2024June 26–29, 2024Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States55,000[25]
VidCon Mexico 2024August 9–11, 2024Citibanamex CenterMexico City Mexico
VidCon Anaheim 2025June 19–21, 2025Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California United States

International conventions

ConventionCountryLocation(s)VenueInaugural eventMost 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, 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, 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. ^ 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. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (August 1, 2011). "VidCon revels in YouTube". Variety. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Graham, Jefferson (August 4, 2013). "VidCon brings out YouTube fans". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ America, Kia Motors. "Kia Motors Engages and Empowers Fans at VidCon 2015". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  19. ^ "28 Reasons Why VidCon 2017 is a Must-Attend Event for Publishers, Brands, & Marketers". Tubular Insights. June 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "VidCon, World's Largest Online Video Conference, Set for Return to Melbourne". www.melbournecb.com.au. February 21, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  21. ^ Bloom, David. "A Decade After The Basement Ballroom, VidCon Has Become Essential In Influencer World". Forbes. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  22. ^ Yurieff, Kaya (July 15, 2019). "Teens, screams and celebrity YouTubers: This is VidCon 2019". CNN. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "About | VidCon Anaheim 2024". VidCon. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024.
  • Media related to VidCon at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website
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