VidCon


VidCon is a multi-genre online video tech conference, held annually in Southern California since 2010 and currently organized by ViacomCBS. Originally conceived by Hank and John Green of the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, the convention is one of the largest of its kind, gathering thousands of online video viewers, creators, and industry representatives worldwide. In February 2018, Viacom acquired VidCon; however the conference remains a standalone subsidiary. Its offices remain in Missoula, Montana, sharing a building with Complexly.

History

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 with over 1,400 people attending. In February 2018, Viacom announced that they were acquiring VidCon. VidCon was held annually as a physical conference until 2020, when three conferences were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a virtual conference was held from June 20th-July 6th.
People with disabilities are offered assistance throughout the convention, as of 2017. Special accessible seating is provided along with ASL interpreters present in the arena and main stage.

Attendance

Controversy

Tana Mongeau feud

After being reportedly snubbed and restricted at past VidCon events, YouTube star Tana Mongeau decided to create her own convention, TanaCon. While this move was initially applauded by fans and fellow YouTubers, TanaCon 2018 was ultimately deemed a failure. The event took place at the Anaheim Marriott Suites, a hotel situated in the Anaheim Convention Center complex during the same weekend as VidCon 2018. Reportedly, 4,000 to 5,000 fans showed up for a venue that only held 1,150. The event was shut down by police, with many receiving first-degree and second-degree sunburns from standing outside waiting in LA's June heat. At least one attendee had to be hospitalized, following an injury that occurred during a door rush in the overcrowded hotel. Tana was later invited back to Vidcon the following year as a Featured Creator, after a mutual decision between the two parties.