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.
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,[1] with over 1,400 people attending.[2] On August 29, 2017, Jim Louderback was named as CEO of the convention, replacing Hank Green.[3]
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.[4]
Viacom acquisition
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. Louderback remained the CEO of the convention, and co-founder Hank Green continued his involvement. Its offices continued to exist in Missoula, Montana.[5][6] 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[7] was a positive development that would help the convention's growth.[5][6]
COVID-19 pandemic
Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming, VidCon Now, became available for registration.[8]
In 2019, VidCon announced that the 11th U.S VidCon event would be held from June 17, through June 20, 2020, but on March 23, 2020, they announced that all international VidCon events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic including Mexico, U.S, and Abu Dhabi.[9]
On April 27, 2020, VidCon announced that Australia 2020 would not return in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would be on hiatus.[10]
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.[11] VidCon also announced that TikTok would be the top sponsor of the 2021 event, replacing YouTube who had been the main sponsor since 2013.[12] 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."[13] The convention was rescheduled to June 22–25, 2022 in Anaheim.[13] The 2023 event was held between June 21–24, with YouTube returning as the sponsor.[14]
With the flagship convention in Anaheim, 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]
For the 2026 event, Pop Store became the main sponsor for VidCon Anaheim 2026 replacing YouTube for the second time after TikTok became the sponsor in the 2022 event.[15]
Fan Expo acquisition
In April 2024, Viacom's successor Paramount Global hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips to locate a buyer for VidCon.[16] In August 2024, Paramount completed the sale of VidCon to Informa, with the convention being moved under its Fan Expo HQ unit.[17][18][19] 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.[20]
The 11th U.S VidCon event was scheduled for June 17-20, 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon Mexico 2020
The first Mexico VidCon event was scheduled for April 30 - May 3, 2020 but it was postponed to September 17-20, 2020 and was cancelled and rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon Abu Dhabi 2020
The first Abu Dubai VidCon event was scheduled for March 25-28, 2020 but it was postponed to December 16-18, before being cancelled and rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VidCon Anaheim 2021
The 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.
↑Alison, Genevieve; Rose, Tasmin (2019-02-23). "Alive & clicking". Herald Sun. Template:NewsBank. "When the world’s largest online video conference, VidCon, came to Melbourne for its second year, more than 7000 fans showed up to meet their online idols."