VidCon is a Must For Online Video Enthusiasts

If you are an online video enthusiast, then VidCon is the conference you do not want to miss. This years' 3 day festivities was held July 23-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Passes are only sold for all 3 days (no single day tickets) at 3 different levels; Community, Creator and Industry.  Community is good for those who are just interested in online videos and the culture. Creator passes are good for those who are content creators, have an interest in getting into online videos, learning and networking with other creators. Industry passes are for those who are involved in online video beyond content creation, which could be production, investments, talent management and such.

VidCon 2015 Anaheim Convention Center

I had the opportunity to attend at the Community level so my experience at VidCon does not go beyond that. Community passes at the standard price was $150 for all 3 days, which also gives you access to the expo hall, interview and panel stages, as well as the festivities in the outdoor stage. 

They don't mail you your passes, instead they require that you pick it up at the designated pick up area in one of the exhibition halls.  You can pick up the day before the event, but you have to pay for parking in the structure which is $15 just to pick up the passes. If you decide to pick up your pass the morning of the first day of conference, expect to wait 1-2 hours in an extremely long line. So decide wisely.

VidCon 2015

In the expo halls, you will find vendors exhibiting the latest gadgets to interactive games sponsored by various big name corporations. One of the fun booths was by Mitu Network where participants spin the wheel of ingredients 3 times, and the ingredient that the needle lands on will be what gets put into a flour tortilla to be rolled up into a burrito which you must bite into twice (and swallow).  The fun gets recorded  and shared to their social network as well as your own if you choose.

Wheel of Ingredients

People Magazine Interview Stage

Fail Army had an entire section of games including the human hamster ball. Nickelodeon had a huge sections of video games with a lounge area. There were three main stages with 3 days full of interviews and panels scheduled.  If you have a favorite YouTube star, you may actually run into them and get a photo op!

Fan taking selfies with Harley from Epic Meal Time

Expo Hall

Outdoors, Food Truck Row

In the outdoor staging area, more festivities were happening from interviews, games, contests and live music. This is also where they had 8-10 various food trucks lined up for when the hunger strikes.  All of this was just with the Community pass, so imagine all the extra activities enjoyed by the Creator and Industry pass holders.

Expo Hall

If you want to experience what the online video community is like, this is probably one of the best events to attend. Many people from across the U.S. and even out of country fly in to attend this mega event. Make sure to grab your passes for 2016 when they go on sale! This year's 3-day conference sold out!