For the electronic camera tube, see Vidicon.
VidCon
StatusActive
GenreOnline video influencer conference
CountryUnited States
FirstJuly 9, 2010 (age 16)
LastJune 19–21, 2025
NextJune 25–27, 2026
Websitevidcon.com
Attendance75,000 (2019)

VidCon is an annual multi-genre online video tech convention conference for influencers, fans, executives, YouTubers, and online brands held annually in Southern California since 2010. 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

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,[1] with over 1,400 people attending.[2]

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.[3][4] 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[5] was a positive development that would help the convention's growth.[3][4] Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming, VidCon Now, became available for registration.[6]

In 2019, VidCon announced that the 11th U.S VidCon event would be held from June 17, through June 20, 2020, but in March 23, 2020 all international VidCon events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[7] with the flagship convention in Anaheim, California resumed in 2022. International editions such as VidCon London, VidCon Australia, and VidCon Asia have not yet 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.[8] VidCon also announced that TikTok would be the top sponsor of the 2021 event, replacing YouTube who had been the main sponsor since 2013.[9] 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."[10] The convention was rescheduled to June 22–25, 2022 in Anaheim.[10] The 2023 event was held between June 21–24, with YouTube returning as the sponsor.[11]

In April 2024, Viacom's successor Paramount Global hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips to locate a buyer for VidCon.[12] In August 2024, Paramount completed the sale of VidCon to Informa, with the convention being moved under its Fan Expo HQ unit.[13][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

YearDateVenueCityCountryAttendance
VidCon 2010July 9–11, 2010Hyatt Regency Century PlazaAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States1,400[2]
VidCon 2011July 28–30, 20112,500[17]
VidCon 2012June 29–30, 2012Anaheim Convention Center7,000[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, 2017RAI Amsterdam Convention CentreAmsterdam, North HollandNetherlands3,500[23]
VidCon 2017June 22–24, 2017Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States31,000[24]
VidCon Australia 2017September 9–10, 2017Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, VictoriaAustralia[25]
VidCon Europe 2018March 22–24, 2018Mövenpick Hotel AmsterdamAmsterdam, North HollandNetherlands[26]
VidCon 2018June 20–23, 2018Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States75,000[27]
VidCon Australia 2018August 31–September 2, 2018Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, VictoriaAustralia7,000+[28][29]
VidCon London 2019February 14–17, 2019ExCeL LondonLondon, EnglandUnited Kingdom13,000[30][31]
VidCon 2019July 10–13, 2019Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States75,000[32]
VidCon Australia 2019September 19–22, 2019Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, VictoriaAustralia[33]
VidCon AsiaDec 3, 2019 – Dec 4, 2019Raffles City Convention CenterDowntown CoreSingapore600+[34][35]
VidCon London 2020February 20–23, 2020ExCeL LondonLondon, EnglandUnited Kingdom[36]
VidCon 2020The 11th U.S VidCon event was scheduled for June 17-20, 2020 but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon 2021The 2021 event was scheduled to be held from October 22–24, 2021 but it was postponed to June 22-25, 2022 due to the COVID-19 cases increasing in California.
VidCon Asia 2021November 25, 2021Suntec Convention CentreMarina CentreSingapore
VidCon Abu DhabiDecember 3–6, 2021Abu Dhabi National Exhibition CentreAbu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates
VidCon Mexico 2021December 3–6, 2021Citibanamex CenterMexico CityMexico
VidCon 2022June 22–25, 2022Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States50,000[37]
VidCon Mexico 2022September 23–25, 2022Citibanamex CenterMexico CityMexico
VidCon Anaheim 2023June 21–24, 2023Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States55,000[38]
VidCon Anaheim 2024June 26–29, 2024Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States55,000[39]
VidCon Mexico 2024August 9–11, 2024Citibanamex CenterMexico CityMexico
VidCon Anaheim 2025June 19–21, 2025Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaUnited States

International conventions

ConventionCountryLocation(s)VenueInaugural eventMost recent
VidCon London
(Formerly VidCon Europe)		Netherlands (2017–2018)
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 AustraliaAustraliaMelbourneMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreSeptember 9–10, 2017September 19–22, 2019
VidCon AsiaSingaporeSingaporeRaffles City Convention CentreDecember 3–4, 2019November 25, 2021
VidCon Abu DhabiUnited Arab EmiratesAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi National Exhibition CentreDecember 3–6, 2021—
VidCon MexicoMexicoMexico CityCitibanamex CenterMay 6–9, 2021August 9–11, 2024

References

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  2. ^ Pham, Alex (July 10, 2010). "Vidcon conference celebrates YouTube culture". Los Angeles Times. Archived October 6, 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
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  4. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 7, 2018). "Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
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