When VidCon launched in 2010, being a full-time creator was still considered a novelty. The inaugural convention brought together some of the internet’s earliest stars, including founders Hank Green and John Green of Vlogbrothers fame, alongside creators like Philip DeFranco, iJustine, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, and Ryan Higa. At the time, many attendees were simply excited to meet people they had only seen on their computer screens.
Fifteen years later, creators host sold-out headlining tours, launch consumer brands, run production companies, and influence everything from entertainment to politics. What began as a gathering of YouTubers and fans has evolved into the annual meeting place for an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
Which raises an obvious question: Why does VidCon still matter?
Dispatches From The Front 