Your ultimate guide to VidCon 2016
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The seventh annual VidCon kicks off Thursday and it's expected to be the biggest turnout the conference has seen to date.
Three days, over 400 creators and 30,000 plus attendees. Whew.
Already tired?
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Don't stress: Mashable came up with a few tips to help you navigate this year's event.
What should I pack?
Comfy shoes: You'll be walking. A lot.
A water bottle: Anaheim is expected to be in the high 80s and 90s all three days. Stay hydrated and avoid lines to purchase drinks (Spoiler alert: The Starbucks at the Hilton is always crowded).
A back-up portable charter: You'll be Tweeting, Snapchatting, selfie-taking and video documenting. There may not be an outlet nearby, so a portable charger will be your best friend.
Snacks on snacks on snacks: In case you get hungry and don't want to wait in a long line, these will fuel your energy for the long days.
Cash: Self explanatory but it comes in handy when purchasing merch and meals from the food trucks outside.
What can I expect with security?
VidCon has doubled down on security in response to the weekend shootings in Orlando, including a ban on fans approaching creators after panels.
Be sure to get there early to pick up your pass.
Also keep in mind: each panel will have at least three security guards, and the event as a whole will have over 450 security officers in attendance, nearly twice as many as last year. There will also be undercover police and random bag checks throughout the conference.
What will I find at the Expo Halls?
All your favorite digital platforms -- Vine, Instagram, Facebook -- will be there with fun activations. Also present: Brands by the dozen. Expect tons of free swag in exchange for a minute -- or two -- of your time.
New industry players will also be there, including Netflix – there to promote a new show starring YouTuber Miranda Sings – and Warner Brothers – there with a special booth dedicated to Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts.
If none of that appeals to you: Don't forget about the games. There are always some activities sure to give you a good break from the digital video scene.
What's new this year?
For the first time ever, VidCon will have a “beauty salon,” which will feature 20 panels and events all revolving around beauty and lifestyle creators.
The panels are being produced by industry veteran Chrystina Train, a marketing consultant and the former VP of communications for StyleHaul. Execs from Kin Community, PopSugar, People, Refinery29 and MTV will also moderate.
Rock, Starr, MyLifeAsEva, and Adelaine Morin will be among the handful of YouTubers there.
Panel subjects include: "Man Crush — Not Just Monday," a panel featuring male beauty gurus Patrick Starrr, Bretman Rock, and MannyMua and "Beauty Crossing Boundaries," featuring international creators Bubzbeauty, Mariale Marrero, Estée Lalonde and Fleur De Force.
Also new to VidCon: A gaming hub. There will be an entire hall within the Anaheim Convention Center dedicated to the genre and two Snickers-sponsored stages. Attendees will be able to watch panels, live gameplay or both.
Gameplayers include GassyMexican, iHasCupquake, sWooZie, and LDShadowLady and Rooster Teeth.
The additions underscore the importance of the beauty and gaming genres on YouTube.
Also new on the Expo Floor: Flipagram will host an ongoing series of musical acoustic booth performances with the network’s top emerging artists at its booth.
What's returning that I should definitely check out?
Instagram's booth at the Expo Hall: This photobooth is always a good time. Last year the company had a ballpit.
Fullscreen Movie Nights: These are some of the most attended events at VidCon. This year, the digital entertainment company will premiere Lights Out, The Secret Life of Pets and Nerve.
AwesomenessTV Festival Stage: The musical fun already began Wednesday night, but the stage -- set up just outside the convention center -- always has a jam packed line-up of performances.
"Twix Prom" aka VidCon Prom: Yes, this is a thing. VidCon describes it as "an epic dance party held annually on the last night of VidCon, featuring glow sticks, great music, thousands of friends, and DJ Kris Moon." Last year, attendees set a world record for largest cellphone wave.
Are there any parties?
There are, but only the lucky ones get invites.
This year, Tubefilter, YouTube, Rise9 (co-hosted by Mashable), Studio71 and Maker Studios all have after parties planned.
What if I'm not going?
VidCon & YouTube have got you covered. Organizers recently announced parts of the conference will be live streamed. FOMO crisis averted.
Where can I follow Mashable?
Reporters Saba Hamedy and Jason Abbruzzese will be live tweeting and reporting from the conference.
Producers Sam Sheffer and Annie Park will be snapping from Mashable's main Snapchat account (@Mashable).
Mashable Experiential and Delmondo are hosting a Snapchat #MashMeet at Downtown Disney's Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria on Saturday, June 25 from 12-2pm. RSVP for an afternoon of snaps, swag and pizza.
We'll also of course be posting articles and videos on our website. Check back here for more!
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Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
