VidCon, World's Largest Online Video Conference, Set for Return to Melbourne

February 21, 2018

Melbourne's business events sector is starting the year on a high with the announcement that VidCon Australia will return to Melbourne in 2018 and 2019 after its successful debut in Australia's creative capital last year.

The world's largest online video conference for video creators, fans and industry professionals, VidCon expanded internationally for the first-time in 2017, choosing Melbourne as its launch platform for the Asia Pacific region.

The event's phenomenal success exposed the appetite for VidCon in Australia, and Melbourne was chosen as the ideal host city for the return of VidCon Australia in 2018 and 2019.

The 2017 VidCon Australia in Melbourne was a massive success, generating 2.08 million Twitter impressions, nearly 200,000 Instagram posts, almost four million minutes of watch time on VidCon's YouTube channel during the month of the event and 1.5 million-page views on vidconaustralia.com in the 12-month period before the event.

Jim Louderback, GM of VidCon, said, "bringing VidCon to Australia in 2017 was one of the best decisions we've ever made.

"We were blown away by the warm welcome we received from everyone who attended, everyone who worked on the event, and everyone we met.

"We are overjoyed to be partnering up again with the Victorian State Government and Melbourne Convention Bureau who are all committed to extending and expanding our commitment to democratizing the creative economy by supporting online video creators, their fans and the industry around it."

VidCon Australia 2018 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) over three days from 31 August to 2 September with over 7,000 attendees anticipated to generate $9 million economic impact for the state.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren, said, "VidCon's choice to expand internationally to Melbourne proves why we're the creative capital of Australia. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of our creative talent to the world.

"Our MCEC expansion is an absolute game changer - we're talking three and a half MCG's of new space to attract more events and thousands more visitors to Victoria."

Melbourne Convention Bureau CEO Karen Bolinger said business events activate the entire state, not only driving the visitor economy but also the knowledge economy.

"VidCon Australia in Melbourne showcases the city as an international centre for creativity, video production and ICT capability. The event draws attention to the strong screen production and related creative industries in Melbourne.

"Last year the event was a sell-out bringing together the professional and community based members of the global online video community including representatives from YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

"This presents opportunities for local content creators to engage with influential international decision makers that they otherwise may not have been able to access.

"Thanks to our Team Melbourne approach VidCon will return and rally the highly engaged and active online video community to incubate new ideas and relationships on the door step of the Asia-Pacific," Ms Bolinger said.

MCEC Chief Executive Peter King said he was delighted to welcome VidCon Australia back to MCEC in 2018.

"VidCon Australia 2017 was an incredibly successful event and our team looks forward to hosting the event again this year," Mr King said.

"At MCEC we are constantly evolving, determined to innovate, adapt and create incredible experiences for our customers, and I think VidCon Australia's return is testament to this.

"Our customer-centric approach ensures MCEC continues to be recognised globally as a venue of choice."

Super Early Bird Tickets for VidCon Australia 1 - 2 September 2018 are currently on sale www.vidconaustralia.com

-ENDS-

About Melbourne Convention Bureau

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) is a sales and economic business development organisation that partners with state and local government and strategic industry partners to identify, secure or create large international conferences, corporate meetings and incentive programs for Victoria. This is all new business that helps drive Victoria's visitor and knowledge economy. Business events deliver an economic contribution of $11.2 billion and 95,000 jobs annually.

MCB is the state's sole entity responsible for the procurement of international business events. MCB positions Melbourne nationally and internationally as a business events destination that goes above and beyond for clients and partners, creating lasting social and community impacts through legacies that deliver well beyond the event itself.

MCB is globally connected with international representation in North America, Europe and Asia.

About VidCon

VidCon owns and operates the world's largest events for and about the online video community. Each VidCon assembles fans, veteran and amateur creators, working professionals, and industry thought-leaders who gather to celebrate the online video ecosystem. The original VidCon, now renamed VidCon US, was founded by Hank and John Green. Total attendance has grown from 1,400 in 2010 to over 31,000 in 2017. 

Contact: Leah Hubay, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Communications Manager
T +61 3 9002 2325 / +61 429 553 183
E [email protected]