In a video shared on his YouTube channel back in 2009, renowned YouTuber Hank Green was eager to share some exciting news with his audience.
A few months back, my brother John and I became keen on the idea of organizing a live online video meeting to bring together some of the top online video content creators. This is because we believe it’s essential to connect them all in one platform,” Green explained, justifying why such an event seemed logical. “The influence of online videos has grown exponentially; there are individuals on YouTube who boast audiences larger than Oprah or Anderson Cooper.
Back in the summer of 2010, the inaugural VidCon took place in Century City. Notable attendees at this event included the Green brothers, Shane Dawson, Autotune the News, as well as Philip DeFranco, to name a few.
It may have been ahead of its time.
Even though lively online video communities were clearly emerging, the creator economy was still in its early stages, so its aspirations weren’t yet fully apparent. A 2018 sale to Viacom continued the tradition, and last year, Paramount (the successor company) sold VidCon to Informa. Now, Informa will manage VidCon under Fan Expo, which organizes events such as Megacon and Toronto Comicon.
Over the past 15 years, the creator’s landscape has undergone significant transformation. YouTube currently leads as the primary video platform, while TikTok and Instagram continue to grow exponentially. Creators are now investing in setting up their own professional studios. In essence, this could be an opportune moment for VidCon to consider an expansion.
To kick off the inaugural VidCon under its fresh ownership, Fan Expo aims to establish a foundation for what they envision as a time of progress and development for the brand. This phase should have the potential to meet the initial aspirations of the Green brothers.
Aman Gupta, President of Fan Expo, expresses a strong desire to establish a solid base for what lies ahead. He shares that they have numerous grand, thrilling ideas up their sleeve. In essence, their aim is to make VidCon known globally. While the specifics are yet undefined and much work remains in this field, Gupta reveals his greatest enthusiasm about integrating VidCon into their collection because he views it as the equivalent of the Super Bowl for content creators and online enthusiasts. To have such a prestigious event in their roster is truly remarkable.
Without a doubt, the first priority is organizing this year’s convention, which starts on June 19 in Anaheim. Unlike previous years, this event will incorporate both industry and community sectors, focusing predominantly on the commercial aspects of the creator economy and the digital media-inspired communities and brands. The celebration of YouTube’s 20th anniversary is also planned, along with the inaugural VidCon Hall of Fame to recognize and applaud pioneers in online video, such as Hank Green, Grace Helbig, and Rhett & Link, who have significantly influenced the digital landscape according to Sarah Tortoreti, VP of VidCon.
In a nutshell, Tortoreti points out that the boundaries between conventional entertainment forms have vanished, giving creators more prominence. These creators are currently at the heart of both culture and commerce, and VidCon has long been aware that this was the direction things were headed in.
VidCon stands out in a special way because it attracts not just digital and traditional media giants such as YouTube, TikTok, and NBCUniversal, but also encourages active engagement from its attendees.
At VidCon, it’s customary for content creators, and the event aims to inspire them to generate new content or collaborate with others directly on the exhibition floor in Anaheim.
According to Gupta, there’s a unique interaction they have with one another, which is impossible to replicate online, as it requires physical presence.
Tortoreti emphasizes that creators have a great deal of freedom in producing their content for us. This is essential as it contributes to the overall experience we aim to provide. Notably, these creators don’t just come here for commercial purposes; they also network with friends, sponsors, and industry professionals. They often conduct business at VidCon.
She explains that not only do they attend for their fans, but it’s enjoyable for them as well. They cherish these interactions, as they create online communities where they feel a personal connection with numerous individuals. These encounters are unique since this is the primary place where these one-to-one relationships can truly materialize in reality.
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2025-06-12 17:54