VidCon Announces International Expansion for 2017
The World’s Largest Online Video Conference Adds New Events in Europe and Australia.
Anaheim, CA(23 Jun 2016)
VidCon (vidcon.com), the world’s largest online video conference for fans, creatives and industry professionals, today announced its first-ever international expansion. VidCon Europe will debut April 8-9, 2017, at the RAI Amsterdam
Convention Centre, while VidCon Australia will launch September 9-10, 2017, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The original VidCon will return to the Anaheim Convention Center in the summer of 2017. The new events will welcome approximately 7,500 fans and creators, with a custom experience designed to celebrate the online video world.
“The growth of online video, and the ability for creators like myself to have such enjoyable careers, is due to a passionate and engaged community that is truly global,” said Hank Green, co-founder of VidCon, online video creator, and internet entrepreneur. “We are excited that we can bring the VidCon experience to Europe and Australia, where the fan and creator communities are so strong and truly thriving.”
Similar to the flagship Anaheim event, VidCon Europe and VidCon Australia will feature keynotes, breakout panels, performances, a robust exhibit floor, and a signing hall where fans can meet their favorite online video creators. And just as the 2016 VidCon features a variety of both endemic and non-endemic sponsors and exhibitors – including YouTube, Kia Motors, Mars Inc., Facebook, Taco Bell, Samsung, Warner Bros, NBC and more - the VidCon team will create a number of opportunities for local and global brands to participate at each show, and to engage with the fans and creators in attendance. Sponsorship and exhibition inquiries can be made by emailing EuropeSponsors@vidcon.com or AustraliaSponsors@vidcon.com
Amsterdam was chosen for VidCon Europe due to its centralized location and easy access via plane, rail and car, relative to the large pockets of online video fans across Western Europe. The RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre also is an ideal location for an event that VidCon expects to grow year to year.
“We are proud that VidCon is coming to the RAI,” says Maurits van der Sluis, COO at the RAI
Amsterdam Convention Centre. “We strongly believe that events like VidCon are an important part of the future of events: innovative face to face gatherings with a strong focus on content as well as technology. With strong cooperation between Amsterdam’s local government and its business and service sectors, we are highly committed to making VidCon Europe a resounding success.”
Melbourne is the ideal location for VidCon Australia, both due to its large concentration of online video fans, and the support of Melbourne Convention Bureau. Fan registration for the new events will open approximately six months prior to each show.
“We are delighted to be the first ever city in Australia, and among the first two cities ever outside of North America, to host VidCon,” said Melbourne Convention Bureau’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Bolinger. “Melbourne is Australia’s leading technology hub and home to more than half of Australia’s top technology companies. Melbourne produces more ICT graduates than any other Australian city, with the country’s largest pipeline of fresh talent, fed by our world-class universities and advanced technical colleges. The industry is thriving and the ICT community will be buzzing when they hear the news of VidCon’s arrival in Melbourne,” Ms Bolinger said.
“Over the past several years, we have seen tremendous demand to take the VidCon experience overseas, and we are excited to give European and Australian fans and creators the opportunity to take part in what has become such a special experience,” said Michael Gardner and Colin Hickey, VidCon’s Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, respectively.
Anyone interested in learning more may sign up to receive updates at vidcon.com/europe and vidcon.com/australia.
About VidCon
VidCon is the world’s largest conference for and about online video. VidCon assembles fans, veteran and amateur creators, working professionals, and industry thought-leaders for three days of celebration, introspection, and discussion. Hank and John Green founded VidCon in 2010, and total attendance in 2015 was 21,000. For the fourth year in a row, YouTube has signed on as the title sponsor of VidCon Anaheim.
VidCon Anaheim programming follows a three-track format, designed to appeal to everyone from the biggest media companies to the most passionate fans. The Industry Track features keynotes, fireside chats, seminars, and product demonstrations geared toward attendees working in the online video industry. The Creator Track serves attendees looking to make better content, grow their online presence, enter the industry, meet fellow creators, and learn the ins-and-outs of online video culture. The Community Track engages attendees interested in experiencing the online video culture through Q&As, discussions, concerts, interviews, movie nights, meet-ups, and games.
Held June 23-25, 2016, the 7th annual VidCon gathers 25,000 people who love and are a part of this new culture. Join the fun!