Without a doubt, the only thing better than an online video community is an in-person community.
Thanks to conventions like VidCon, more conventions are popping up with so much to offer fans and creators alike. Let’s take a look at six of the most popular creator-centric in-person events out there. With that in mind, you can decide which one you want to visit next.
VidCon
VidCon is the longest running online creator-centric event! In fact, it’s now in its 10th year! All in all, what started as a modest 1400-person “meet up” has grown to a 30,000+ attendee multi-media convention. In brief, over the course of 10 years, VidCon has developed an incredible reputation. They are the standard for bringing online video communities together in person.
VidCon produces the largest events for fans, creators, executives, and brands who are passionate about online video and building diverse communities. In 2019, VidCon will produce shows in Anaheim (VidCon US), London (VidCon LDN), and Melbourne (VidCon AU). Across the three events, VidCon will host more than 90,000 attendees, in aggregate, via a variety of live onstage performances, panels, fireside chats, interactive experiences, fan and creator meet & greets, innovative brand activations, and more. — VidCon.com
Additionally, VidCon offers multiple tracks tailored to attendee’s interest. Thus, the community track is for people seeking to meet their favorite creators or fans/friends in person.
In short, the creator track is for those looking to hone their craft. Folks can do this through creator through workshops and panels. After all, they even offer an industry track that focuses on the business and logistical side of online video. There is something for everyone.
Dates: July 10–13, 2019, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Followed by a “Disney Day” on Sunday just down the street at Disneyland Park.
Ideal for: Online Video Creators of every background.
Playlist Live
Overall, Playlist Live is a three-day festival, concert and conference rolled into one. So, it’s the place where creators, their biggest supporters, professionals and brands come together. In a word, together they celebrate online video, social media and the communities around them.
Playlist Live started in 2011 by District Lines; an apparel company most known for creating and distributing merchandise for several YouTuber personalities for years. In fact, the event was born out of noticing social media trends. More specifically, the event resulted from several YouTube personalities ability and potential to draw a concert-level crowd.
“In this industry, viewers rarely get the opportunity to meet their favorite YouTubers. Since YouTubers are regular people like you and me, they’re not constantly touring the country and most people don’t get a chance to see them in person. Kids were always commenting on Mitchell and Kyle’s (livelavalive) videos saying that they would do anything to meet them. We booked a tour for them and it was a huge success: we sold out a few popular venues in Florida with over 500 attendees at each event and even went trending on Twitter during a couple of the shows.
— Event Organizer Kevin Khandjian
Playlist Live consists of a variety of music performances. There are panels, meet & greets, Q&As, workshops, premieres, brand activations, games, pool parties, fireworks and more.
Dates: February 28 – March 1, 2020, Orlando, FL
Ideal for: Online video creators of every background and of featured creators (especially musical artists)
CVX Live
CVX Live (Creator Viewer Experience Live) is a social media convention.Thus, the focus of the event is bringing online media creators and their fans together. On the whole, the event offers a fan track.
This that allows attendees to visit featured creators at meet and greets, signing tables, panels and live performances. Altogether, a business focused industry track offers panels and networking opportunities for growing a social media presence.
CVX focuses more on the accessibility of the creators who are in attendance. This encourages families with kids of all ages to attend.
“IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!! I LOVE HOW CASUAL IT IS AND HOW IF THE CREATORS AREN’T DOING A MEET AND GREET YOU CAN OFTEN FIND THEM WANDERING AROUND. I ALSO LOVE HOW CLEAN THE ATMOSPHERE IS. I HAVE BROUGHT MY 6 YEAR OLD SISTER BOTH YEARS SO IT’S IMPORTANT THAT IT’S A FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. THANKS!!!!!” – Attendee Review
Dates: September 20–21, 2019, Utah Valley Convention Center Provo, UT
Ideal for: Fans looking to interact with featured creators in a more casual environment. Creators looking to collaborate and network with fellow creators.
TwitchCon
Online gaming and other types of live streaming have grown exponentially in a short amount of time. Which is why the leading live streaming platform, Twitch, decided to host its own convention.
TwitchCon allows streamers to learn how to better support their streams and grow their brand. Additionally, streamers get a chance to engage with their online communities in person.
No matter if you’re a fan, viewer, or someone who loves gaming, there is so much to play and enjoy during this 3-day gaming convention.
Dates: TwitchCon will take place September 27–29 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Ideal for: Video creators (especially live streamers), gamers, fans, meet & greets
Videomaker IRL
The magazine (and sibling to this digital magazine) is hosting its own meet up focused on video professionals called Videomaker IRL. Generally speaking, Videomaker Magazine has always been about people who work in video sharing their insights to fellow video people.
Moreover, the benefit of meeting IRL is that you get to make that personal connection with other like-minded people who actually get what you’re talking about.
For nearly a decade, Videomaker has hosted workshops, seminars, conferences, summits, and expos for a broad spectrum of video creators across the United States. Now we’re coming to a city near you to hang out, talk shop and help strengthen your local video and filmmaking community.
In any event, Videomaker IRL allows you to meet new people learn new things, find support and build your network of video professionals.
Best of all, it’s completely FREE! Just RSVP and meet fellow makers of videos.
Dates:
- Chicago, IL: Thursday, Aug 15 , 2019, 5:30pm — 9:00pm – RSVP Here
- Los Angeles, CA: Thursday, November 14, 2019, 5:30pm — 9:00pm – RSVP Here
Ideal for: Video creators, team members involved in the content creation process, meet & greets.
VidSummit
Online video has become a business for a whole new generation of entrepreneurs. Focusing on the business side of the online video is VidSummit.
“Unlike other video marketing and YouTube events, VidSummit is NOT a place where content creators connect with their fans. Instead, VidSummit is where content creators come together to help each other. Without the fans at the event, content creators can share the truth of what they do — the truth they would never share online.”
Now in its 6th year, this event has more of an industry minded focus. Vy Qwaint, YouTuber and VidSummit attendee, described the event as “…VidCon Industry Day But on Steroids !!!”
Dates: October 15–17th 2019, Los Angeles, CA
Ideal for: This event is ideal for video creators, influencers, marketers, agencies, brands and business owners.
If you’re a fan or creator, novice or professional, nothing quite beats being around other people who share your love of video. We hope we’ve inspired you to get out there and meet up with fellow fans or creatives.