An annual fan fest and business confab for the online video industry at the Anaheim Convention Center has confirmed its 2016 dates and announced plans to add a gaming component to its schedule, according to the show’s Twitter account and an online trade journal.
VidCon will be held June 23 through 25.
The Business Journal in August reported that the show would return in 2016—the first year of a new five-year deal with the convention center—on the last weekend in June.
This year’s show drew about 21,000 attendees in July, up from 1,400 at its first gathering in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2010.
The show has been in Anaheim since 2012 and is signed through 2020.
A show executive in August praised the convention center as “a beautiful and efficient venue with a wonderful team that we look forward to working with next year and in years to come.”
VidCon 2016 tickets are sold in three “tracks” called “community,” “creator,” and “industry.”
Community attendees are fans. Creator attendees produce and market online video content on channels that cover subjects ranging from music videos to humorous clips and “how-to” advice. Industry attendees are entertainment power players that include companies such as YouTube, the dominant platform for online videos.
Tickets will run from $100 to $750 next year, depending on the track and when they’re purchased.
The top rate for this year’s show was $600.
Attendees in 2016 will see an expanded version of the show, including space added for gaming.
YouTube has dedicated gaming channels that are followed by millions who tune in for everything from watching tournaments to tips on playing games.
“VidCon’s goal has always been to support and celebrate online video in all its forms,” co-founder and Chief Executive Hank Green said in a statement. “We’re excited to further acknowledge the power of the gaming community.”
The Anaheim Marriott will host a significant portion of the gaming-related offerings, as well as parts of the convention center hall, Green said.
The trade journal said the gaming areas will include live gaming and tournaments, panel discussions, and booths to focus on “the scale and influence of online video gamers.”
The event is produced by Missoula, Mont.-based VidCon LLC and has become a leading trade show and convention for makers and consumers of online videos.
