VidCon

VidCon LLC
"For People who Love Online Video"
Status Active
Genre Online Video
Venue Hyatt Regency Century Plaza (2010–11)
Anaheim Convention Center (2012–present)
Location(s) Los Angeles, California (2010–11)
Anaheim, California (2012–present)
Country United States
Inaugurated July 9, 2010 (2010-07-09)
Most recent June 20–23, 2018
Attendance 26,200 (2017)[1]
Organized by Viacom
Website vidcon.com

VidCon is a multi-genre online video conference, held annually in Southern California since 2010. Originally conceived by Hank and John Green of the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, the convention is the largest of its kind in the world, gathering thousands of online video viewers, creators, and industry representatives worldwide.[2][3][4] In February 2018, Viacom acquired VidCon, although the conference remains a standalone subsidiary.[5] Its offices remain in Missoula, Montana, sharing a building with Complexly.

History

VidCon founders Hank and John Green at VidCon 2014

2010 (1st annual VidCon)

The first VidCon was held in July 9–11, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles and sold out in advance[6] with over 1,400 people attending.[7] The first day featured industry panels and presentations by industry leaders and video creators. The second and third day featured main stage presentations by YouTube's content creators, breakout sessions and concerts featuring musicians who achieved success primarily by presenting their music via online videos.[8]

2011 (2nd annual VidCon)

VidCon 2011 was held in July 29–30, 2011, with an industry conference day on July 28, again at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. The event sold out sixty days prior to its opening,[9] with 2,500 people in attendance.[10][11]

2012 (3rd annual VidCon)

The Gregory Brothers at VidCon 2012

VidCon 2012, the third annual conference, was held in June 28–30, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center.[12] The new venue offered a much larger capacity with room for future expansion, with 7,000 people in attendance.[13][14]

2013 (4th annual VidCon)

VidCon 2013 was held in August 1–3, 2013 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The conference sold out a month in advance with attendance reaching 12,000 people.[15] YouTube signed a deal in 2013 to become the principal sponsor of VidCon for two years.[16]

2014 (5th annual VidCon)

Our2ndLife at VidCon 2014

VidCon 2014 was held in June 26–28, 2014 at the Anaheim Convention Center.[17]

The industry track featured talks given by YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Fullscreen CEO George Strompolos, as well as VidCon cofounder John Green. Troye Sivan also announced his EP, TRXYE.

There were various concerts during the convention including We The Kings and Meghan Tonjes.

2015 (6th annual VidCon)

VidCon 2015 took place on July 23–25, 2015, at the Anaheim Convention Center. [18] The number of people attending was limited, so there would only be slightly more people than in 2014. However, the space was enlarged, with the convention taking up the entire Convention Center.[19] There were over 300 YouTube creators who performed, exhibited and connected with the attendees. Troye Sivan announced his new EP, WILD.

VidCon 2015 used a new system for fans to meet the creators, requiring Community members to sign up a month in advance to meet specific creators.[20]

2016 (7th annual VidCon)

VidCon 2016 was held from June 23-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center.[21] The convention announced plans to tighten security at its events in the wake of singer Christina Grimmie's shooting and the Orlando nightclub massacre. Security measures included the addition of metal detectors, enhancing the number of security officers and banning informal meet-and-greets between community members and YouTubers after panels.

2017 (8th annual VidCon US, addition of other VidCons)

VidCon Europe debuted from April 7-9, 2017, at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam.[22]

VidCon US was held from June 21-24, 2017, at the Anaheim Convention Center.[23]

VidCon Australia debuted on September 9-10, 2017, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Melbourne.[24]

2018 (9th annual VidCon US, 2nd annual VidCon Europe/Australia)

VidCon Europe was held from March 22-24, 2018, at the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam.[25] Unlike 2017, VidCon Europe 2018 did away with the Community badge, only selling Creator and Industry badges. This was the result of "evaluated feedback" of Community Track attendees from 2017. VidCon sought to "leverage [its] success with the creator and industry communities and continue to build an independent gathering to expand the cross-cultural YouTube and online video movement across Europe."[26]

VidCon US was held from June 20-23, 2018, at the Anaheim Convention Center.[27] This was the first year VidCon implemented the use of RFID wristbands.[28]

VidCon Australia was held August 31-September 2, 2018, at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.[29]

Acquisition by Viacom

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.[30][31] 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.[32]

2019 (10th annual VidCon US, 3rd annual VidCon Europe/Australia)

VidCon Europe will be held on February 14-17, 2019 at the ExCel London.[33]

VidCon US will be held in July 10-13, 2019, at Anaheim Convention Center

Types of passes

VidCon attendees may purchase one of three types of passes, also called badges or tracks, a system rolled out during the 2015 VidCon. At the lowest price, the Community track allows access to the main floor of the Anaheim Convention Center, several stages, the signing and photo hall, the Expo Hall, and more. The second type is the Creator track, which is geared more toward members of the online video community who either produce content themselves or have an interest in doing so. This pass gives access to the main and second floor of the venue and creator lounges, which feature panels, workshops, and keynotes that focus on the specifics of creating and editing online video. The third and most expensive type is the Industry track, which gives attendees the chance to attend all VidCon events and enjoy the industry lounge. This badge is mainly designed for those in the online video business,[34] with access to keynote conversations, round-table discussions, hands-on training and platform and product demonstrations. Vidcon provided the industry members with a private zone to relax away from the attendees.[35]

VidCon has a list of featured creators who are invited to the convention and who participate in panels, concerts, and more.[36] These online content creators have access to all events at VidCon as well as the industry lounge, similarly to the Industry track.

People with disabilities are offered assistance throughout the convention. Special accessible seating is provided along with ASL interpreters present in the arena and main stage.[37]

Attendance

Year Venue Attendance Source
2010 Hyatt Regency Century Plaza 1,400 [7]
2011 2,500 [10]
2012 Anaheim Convention Center 7,000 [13]
2013 12,000 [15]
2014 18,000 [38]
2015 19,500 [38]
2016 25,500 [1]
2017 30,000+ [39]

References

  1. 1 2 "VidCon Announces International Expansion for 2017". Streaming Media. June 23, 2016. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ Carrasco, Ed (February 5, 2013). "VidCon Returns To Anaheim August 1–3, Anticipates 10,000, Attendees". New Media Rockstars. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  3. ↑ "YouTube Blog: Our highlights from Vidcon". Archived from the original on October 15, 2010.
  4. ↑ Bascaramurty, Dakshana (July 2, 2010). "Meet your Vloggers – The Globe and Mail". Toronto. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Viacom Acquires VidCon, Boosting Live Event and Digital Businesses". Viacom Corporate. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  6. ↑ "Twitter / VidCon 2010". Archived from the original on April 5, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Pham, Alex (July 10, 2010). "Vidcon conference celebrates YouTube culture". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ Miller, Liz Shannon (July 5, 2010). "VidCon 2010 Promises a Celebration of Online Video". GigaOM. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Sold Out Event". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
  10. 1 2 Wallenstein, Andrew (August 1, 2011). "VidCon revels in YouTube". Variety. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  11. ↑ "At VidCon, YouTube's evolution becomes clear". Reuters. July 31, 2011. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  12. ↑ Lang, Derrik (June 30, 2012). "VidCon attracts online video makers, fans". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  13. 1 2 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.
  14. ↑ Sullivan, James (June 30, 2012). "Third Annual VidCon Features Huge Growth, YouTube Upgrades". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  15. 1 2 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. ↑ Ed Carrasco (April 29, 2013). "YOUTUBE SIGNS DEAL TO BECOME PRINCIPAL SPONSOR OF VIDCON". New Media Rockstars. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "VidCon 2014 dates". VidCon LLC. Archived from the original on August 5, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  18. ↑ "VidCon 2015 dates". VidCon LLC. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  19. ↑ Announcing VidCon 2015!. YouTube. November 12, 2014. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
  20. ↑ "VidCon 2015 Agenda". VidCon LLC YouTube. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  21. ↑ "VidCon Announces 2016 Dates, Adds More Events With A Focus On Gaming". Tubefilter. November 3, 2015. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  22. ↑ "VidCon Europe". VidCon Europe. Archived from the original on May 31, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  23. ↑ "When is VidCon US?". VidCon. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  24. ↑ "VidCon Australia". VidCon Australia. Archived from the original on June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Hotels & Travel". VidCon Europe. VidCon. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Why No Community Track at VidCon Europe 2018?". VidCon Europe. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  27. ↑ "Home". VidCon. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  28. ↑ "RFID". VidCon. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  29. ↑ "Home". VidCon Australia. VidCon. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  30. ↑ Lopez, Ricardo (February 5, 2018). "Viacom Acquiring VidCon (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  31. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 7, 2018). "Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  32. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 9, 2018). "YouTubers React to Viacom's VidCon Acquisition". Variety. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  33. ↑ "About". VidCon London. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  34. ↑ "About VidCon". VidCon LLC YouTube. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  35. ↑ Rosenbaum, Steve. "What Is Vidcon? And Why Did 20,000 Teens Show Up?" Archived July 30, 2015, at the Wayback Machine., Huffington Post, July 27, 2015
  36. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  37. ↑ "What types of assistance are provided for attendees with disabilities at VidCon US? : VidCon US 2017". help.vidcon.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  38. 1 2 Hamedy, Saba (June 29, 2014). "VidCon 2014: 5 things you may have missed (picture 4 caption)". Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  39. ↑ "About". VidCon US. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.