What VidCon does

VidCon is an annual convention and live-event business serving the creator economy, founded in 2010 by YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers). Its flagship product is VidCon Anaheim, a three-day gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center (June 25-27, 2026, 15th anniversary) that brings together 50,000-75,000 fans, content creators, brands, agencies, and platform executives through tiered passes (VidCon Pass, VidCon+ Pass, Creator Pass, Pro Pass) and premium add-on experiences including meet-and-greets, mentorship programming, Hall of Fame ceremonies, and the GorillaCon VR gaming activation. The company is operationally part of Informa Connect, a division of publicly traded Informa PLC (London Stock Exchange: INFI), having been integrated into the FAN EXPO business alongside the largest comic con event portfolio in North America.

The business model combines multi-tier direct-to-consumer ticket sales with a high-value enterprise sponsorship and exhibitor revenue stream. Sponsors and presenting partners include YouTube, Google, Twitch, Meta, Snap, Pinterest, Spotify, Patreon, Fox Entertainment, Tubi, Gushcloud, and — for 2026 — POP.STORE (CommentSold Group's agentic AI commerce platform) as Title Sponsor, marking the first time the top sponsor is not a major social video platform. Revenue is generated across ticket transactions, title and official sponsorships, exhibitor booth rentals in the Expo Hall, branded activations such as the Featured Creator Gifting Lounge (Dolphin Entertainment's Digital Dept.), and ancillary experiences (Ultimate Meet & Greets, Brand Match Accelerator). The company is led by CEO Jim Louderback, with founders John Green and Hank Green, and President Aman Gupta.

Underlying technology consists of an event-management and ticketing platform operating direct-to-consumer via vidcon.com, with distribution supported by newsletter, social media, and earned media (Mashable, CNET, TubeFilter). No proprietary AI/ML product, patents, or software SDKs are disclosed in source materials; AI enters the business only as a sponsor category (POP.STORE/ECHO-ME) and as a programming theme. VidCon operates with 11-50 employees and is headquartered in Missoula, United States, with primary event operations at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Name

VidCon

Legal name

VidCon (operated by Informa Connect, a division of Informa PLC)

Website

https://vidcon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VidCon is the world's largest annual creator economy convention, hosting 50,000-75,000 fans, content creators, brands, and platform executives at its flagship Anaheim event. Founded in 2010 by John and Hank Green, it operates under Informa Connect and monetizes via tiered ticket sales, sponsorships, and exhibitor revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Event Conventions

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technology & Developer Conferences (MPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Creator economy conventions
• Digital culture events
• Online video community
• Creator networking events
• Fan engagement conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Missoula

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Multi-tiered ticket sales including VidCon Pass (fans), Creator Pass (for creators seeking education and collaboration), and Pro Pass (for industry professionals), with additional premium experiences such as Ultimate Meet & Greets available for purchase.
2. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Revenue: Revenue generated from title sponsors (POP.STORE for 2026), official partners, exhibitor booth rentals in the Expo Hall, and branded activations throughout the event.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with major platforms and brands including YouTube, Twitch, Google, Meta, Pinterest, and various creator economy companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

VidCon operates the world's largest annual convention celebrating digital culture and online video creators, held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The company sells tiered event passes (VidCon Pass, VidCon+ Pass, Creator Pass, Pro Pass) granting access to fan experiences, creator education, industry networking, meet-and-greets, and sponsor activations. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, sponsorship/exhibitor fees, and corporate partnerships with platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Meta, Google, and Pinterest.

Product overview

VidCon is a convention/event product (not a software platform) that organizes the world's largest celebration of digital culture and its creators. The offering consists of the core annual VidCon Anaheim event supplemented by tiered ticketed passes (VidCon Pass, VidCon+ Pass, Creator Pass, Pro Pass) that provide access to different programming tracks including fan experiences, creator education and collaboration sessions, and industry networking. Key experiences include Meet & Greets, Ultimate Meet & Greets, Hall of Fame ceremonies, GorillaCon (VR gaming activation), Mentorship Series, Think Tank 20 sessions, and speed networking events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VidCon Anaheim The flagship annual convention event bringing together content creators, fans, brands, and industry professionals for panels, meet-and-greets, workshops, and networking across multiple tracks (Fan, Creator, and Industry).
• VidCon Pass The base fan-focused pass offering immersive activities, interactive creator experiences, and opportunities to meet favorite creators at VidCon Anaheim.
• VidCon+ Pass Enhanced fan pass including the base VidCon Pass benefits plus additional meet & greet opportunities and exclusive experiences, offered in limited quantities.
• Creator Pass Pass focused on creator education, collaboration tools, and resources to help content creators grow professionally, featuring spaces for networking, mentorship, and skill development.
• Pro Pass Industry-focused pass for digital media professionals, brands, agencies, and creators, offering high-value networking, exclusive insights, and business development opportunities within the creator economy.
• Meet & Greets Opportunities for fans to meet featured creators, available in Standard, Ultimate (exclusive one-on-one interactive sessions), and Standby formats.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000-75,000 annual attendees representing the global creator economy
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• POP.STOREflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026POP.STORE, an agentic AI commerce platform under CommentSold Group, serves as the Title Sponsor for VidCon Anaheim 2026. This marks the first time VidCon is not sponsored by a major social video platform. POP.STORE plans to unveil its ECHO-ME AI platform at the event, positioning itself within the creator economy ecosystem.
• DMIL (Korea Beauty Creator Collective)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026DMIL is Korea's leading beauty creator collective partnering with 950+ creators. They are the official K-beauty partner for VidCon, serving as a strategic hub uniting K-beauty brands with global creators to drive sustainable growth in international markets.
• Creator TV SportscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Creator TV Sports, a studio label under Sabio Holdings, hosts the Creator Pickleball Tour at VidCon Anaheim 2026, a 16-player tournament featuring major YouTube and TikTok personalities. The event will be produced as an episodic series distributed across Creator TV's FAST network reaching 149.6 million households.
• RockWatercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026RockWater's 'Night Before VidCon' has been designated as VidCon's official partner for its pre-event networking gathering in Los Angeles, bringing together over 200 founders, executives, and investors in the creator economy space.
• The Digital Dept. (Dolphin Entertainment)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Digital Dept., a subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment (Nasdaq:DLPN), partnered with VidCon to host the Featured Creator Gifting Lounge Powered by BRANDEdit, providing brands curated opportunities to engage approximately 200 leading digital creators through experiential product experiences.
• Lighthouse EdutainmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Lighthouse Edutainment partnered with VidCon to bring impactful voices for mental health, resilience, and navigating the digital world conversations, featuring industry pioneers and world-class athletes.
• YouTubeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerYouTube is a sponsor and historical partner of VidCon, having been involved since the event's founding in 2010. Platform executives present at the Industry Mainstage.
• TwitchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTwitch is an official sponsor of VidCon with CEO Dan Clancy speaking on the future of live content at the Industry Mainstage.
• PinterestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPinterest is a visual search and discovery platform sponsor with Chief Content Officer Malik Ducard presenting at the Industry Mainstage.
• YouTube (Product)coreTechnology or IntegrationYouTube sends Product Manager Abhijay Arora Vuyyuru to present on the Creator Track, providing platform insights to creator attendees.
• Google/YouTubeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle and YouTube are major sponsors with Content and Sponsorships Lead Brittany Bell presenting at the Industry Mainstage.
• MetacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMeta is a sponsor with Strategic Partner Manager Austin Powell presenting on the Creator Track.
• Fox EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFox Entertainment VP of Social Media Diogo Felippelli presents at the Industry Mainstage.
• TubiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTubi EVP & GM of Creator Programs Rich Bloom presents at the Industry Mainstage.
• Snap Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSnap Inc. participates with VP of Product Ceci Mourkogiannis and Head of Creator Development Brooke Berry presenting at the Industry Mainstage.
• SpotifycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpotify Partner Manager Evan Frasca presents on the Creator Track.
• PatreoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPatreon Head of Top Creator Partnerships Stephanie Hind presents on the Creator Track.
• Dolphin EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of The Digital Dept., participating through gifting lounge partnership.
• FAN EXPOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVidCon is part of the FAN EXPO business, the largest comic con event producer in North America with over one million fans, bringing together pop culture enthusiasts to celebrate all things fandom.
• Pete ButtigiegminorOthersFormer U.S. Secretary of Transportation joining yoga YouTuber Adriene Mishler for a fireside chat exploring the intersection of politics and the creator economy, covering AI regulation, platform accountability, and small business policy.
• GushcloudminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal creator management and licensing company sponsoring VidCon with presence across 13 countries, empowering over 20,000 creators.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Shorty Awards: An annual awards program and conference for social media and digital creators. Comparable in celebrating creator economy figures and hosting industry programming, though primarily awards vs. fan convention.
• CreatorEconomy NYC / Creator Events: An emerging creator economy industry conference. Comparable in targeting the creator industry professional segment (overlap with VidCon's Pro Pass audience), though smaller scale and more B2B focused.

Direct peers

• Buffer Festival: A digital creator awards and screening festival. Comparable in celebrating online video creators and serving the same YouTube/digital video ecosystem with a more festival/awards tilt.
• TwitchCon: Twitch's official annual fan and creator convention organized by Amazon/Twitch. Directly comparable to VidCon as a platform-anchored creator economy conference with tiered ticketing and major sponsor activations.
• ComplexCon: A pop culture and creator-driven convention featuring music, fashion, and digital culture. Comparable in blending fan experiences, brand activations, and creator-driven content, with similar tiered ticketing.
• New York Comic Con (NYCC): ReedPop's flagship pop culture convention. Now a sister event under the same FAN EXPO/Informa umbrella, sharing operational infrastructure and comparable in fan-meets-creator convention structure.
• Playlist Live: A long-running YouTube and digital creator fan convention. Directly comparable in target audience (young digital creator fans), ticketing model, and creator meet-and-greet format.
• VidSummit: An annual conference specifically for YouTube creators and digital entrepreneurs. Comparable in audience (content creators seeking education and networking) and pass-based monetization, though more B2B-skewing.
• MCM Comic Con: A series of UK and European pop culture conventions, now also under FAN EXPO. Comparable in fan convention structure and exhibitor/sponsorship model, though more comic/IP focused than creator focused.

Broad incumbents

• SXSW: A much larger annual convergence of tech, music, film, and culture. Comparable in serving the digital creator and tech professional ecosystem, but with a far broader scope and longer history.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vidcon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VidCon
• Facebookfacebook.com/VidCon
• Instagraminstagram.com/vidcon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vidcon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VidCon