VidCon conference to stay in Melbourne for another two years

VICTORIA will be known as the tech-savvy state after signing a deal to the host world’s biggest online and digital conference for the next two years.

VICTORIA will host the world’s biggest online and digital conference for the next two years, in a deal to be ­announced on Wednesday.

Melbourne will be the only city in the Asia-Pacific region to host VidCon this year and next, in a coup for Victorian digital business expected to pour about $18 million into the state economy.

Thousands of the world’s best digital content creators, online video fans and businesses are expected to go to the conference, to be announced by the Andrews Government.

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Apart from boosting tourism and bolstering Victoria’s reputation as a tech-savvy state, it is expected to create about 900 jobs.

Tourism and Major Events Minister John Eren said it would help Victoria become a leader in the digital world as well as Australia’s sports and cultural capital.

“VidCon’s choice to expand internationally to Melbourne proves why we’re the creative capital of Australia,’’ he said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of our creative talent to the world.”

The conference, to be staged at the Melbourne Convention and Event Centre, will also give Victorian digital professionals direct access to key global professionals.

Representatives from YouTube, Facebook and Instagram will attend along with entrepreneurs from the fast growing online video community.

VidCon was staged in Melbourne for the first time last year, attracting more than 7000 people and delivering a $9 million boost to the economy.

VidCon chief executive Jim Louderback said this year’s event, from August 31-September 2, would be even bigger.

“Bringing VidCon to Victoria, Australia in 2017 was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.,’’ he said.

“We are overjoyed to be partnering up again with the Victorian Government who are committed to extending and expanding our work to democratising the creative economy by supporting online video creators, their fans and the industry around it.”

The $205 million expansion of the MCEC is expected to bring an extra 74,000 international visitors to Victoria each year, spending about $693 a day on average.

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