VidCon's Departure From Anaheim: A Digital Creator's Farewell

The End of an Era

For over a decade, VidCon was the beating heart of digital culture in Anaheim, California. The annual convention brought together thousands of creators, fans, brands, and industry professionals to celebrate everything digital. But as of today, that chapter is ending. After 16 years of hosting its flagship event in Southern California, VidCon will be leaving its Anaheim home for a new future with LIONS, the company behind Cannes Lions.

"For 15 years, VidCon has been the heartbeat of the creator community — the place where emerging and established creators, fans, brands, and industry leaders come together to celebrate digital culture in real life," said Sarah Tortoreti, VP and business lead at VidCon.

The decision is part of a broader transformation orchestrated by Informa PLC, which owns both VidCon and LIONS. This strategic move aims to bring together the creative marketing world with the ever-expanding digital creator economy — essentially, merging two powerful ecosystems into one formidable platform.

The New Alliance: LIONS x VidCon

Under this new arrangement, VidCon is being integrated into LIONS' North American business. The result? A brand-new hybrid event called VidCon x LIONS Creators. This new festival will be hosted primarily by Insight to Impact, a platform that brings together marketing research and content creation expertise.

Insight to Impact debuts in Denver in October 2026, before relocating to Nashville in 2027. There, it will house the first VidCon x LIONS Creators event — a fitting nod to the legacy of both brands. The event will also feature programming at Cannes Lions in June 2027, ensuring continued global visibility.

Why This Matters

At its core, this is about more than just geography or branding. It's about adapting to a rapidly changing industry where digital creators are no longer just influencers but key players in the marketing ecosystem.

LIONS CEO Simon Cook put it best when he said:

"The creator economy has never moved faster or mattered more within the global marketing ecosystem. Creators are increasingly central to how culture is created and how brands connect with audiences."

This merger signals a new chapter in how digital creators and traditional marketers can work together, turning influence into tangible business impact.

What About Anaheim?

The departure from Anaheim raises questions about the future of live events in the region. For many years, VidCon served as a major draw for tourism and economic activity in Southern California. But with the event now moving to Nashville and beyond, there's an opportunity for other cities to step up and fill that void.

However, let's not forget: Anaheim had its own unique charm. The city's close proximity to Los Angeles made it a natural hub for entertainment industry events. As VidCon transitions, we might see new forms of digital engagement emerge elsewhere — especially in cities like Nashville or even Miami, which are already positioning themselves as creative hotspots.

The Global Picture

This isn't just a local shift — it's part of LIONS' global expansion strategy. The company plans to bring this model to other regions including Asia Pacific and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

In Asia, Spikes Asia will become LIONS Asia in September 2027, continuing its partnership with Haymarket Asia. And in the MENA region, LIONS Riyadh will launch in December 2027, partnering with Tahaluf — a joint venture involving Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Media and Informa PLC.

These moves underscore the growing importance of localized creativity within a global framework. It's not just about scaling up; it's about scaling smartly across diverse markets.

A Look at the Legacy

VidCon was founded in 2010 by brothers John and Hank Green, initially focused on celebrating YouTube creators and their communities. In 2018, Viacom acquired VidCon, and later, in 2024, Paramount Global sold it to Informa.

That journey has shaped not only the event itself but also how we think about digital culture today. The event became a gathering place for stories that mattered — from viral content creators to industry innovators. It was more than a conference; it was a cultural phenomenon.

Looking Forward

The integration of VidCon into LIONS marks the beginning of a new era in the digital creator space. With more structured collaboration between marketing and content creation, we're likely to see:

• A deeper focus on metrics-driven storytelling
• Enhanced opportunities for creators to monetize their influence
• Better alignment between brand goals and community engagement

This transformation brings exciting possibilities. But it also challenges us to rethink how we engage with digital culture — especially as these platforms evolve into something more comprehensive than just events.

As I reflect on this moment, I can't help but feel nostalgic for the days when VidCon filled the Anaheim Convention Center with energy and possibility. Yet, there's something thrilling about watching it evolve into something even bigger — a global movement that bridges creativity, marketing, and influence like never before.