The weekend 9th - 10th of September, 2017, saw the return of Upload event in Tobacco Dock London. This event is in its second year and has doubled in size since Upload 2016. It is a unique YouTube influencer event that encompasses gaming, music and comedy all under one roof. The event hosts 2 live stages, the panel stage and the gaming stage, where some of the largest YouTube influencers come together to talk about relevant industry news as well as allow fans to get a glimpse of what life is like as a YouTuber. The event was created by members of the YouTube group ‘The Sidemen’, including KSI, Miniminter, Zerkaa, TBJZL and Vikkstar123, and features many other YouTube guests including Wroetoshaw, Behzinga, Callux, Calfreezy, Joe Weller, JME, and Kwebbelkop and many others. 

Panels included:

• Current State of YouTube
• Doing It Yourself
• Transition Into YouTube Fulltime
• YouTube vs Music
• Working On and Off YouTube

As you can see, these panels address highly relevant topics that many up and coming YouTubers could benefit from, as well as any people thinking about joining the YouTube community. All panels were topped off with an audience Q and A to ensure that no thought was left unsaid. This allowed fans to interact with their favourite YouTubers in a chilled environment bounded by mutual respect.

The main stage is where you wanted to be to be a part of the action. With the stage and seating area almost doubling in size since 2016, the main gaming stage became the central hub of Upload 2017. Whether you are a fan of PES, FIFA, live music or even boxing, the main stage had it all. Both days kicked off with the opening show at 10:15, so fans had to make sure they were awake bright and early to catch guests battle each other out on FIFA etc. 

One of the exhibitors and sponsors in 2017 was PC Specialist, who are an award winning custom PC and laptop manufacturer. At Upload you could test out their custom gaming PC’s with various games as well as try out and experience virtual reality. The headline sponsor of the event was Pizza Hut who set up a Wheel of Pizza by the main stage for guests to try and get the hands on some great Pizza Hut deals.
 
Tobacco Dock has been the location of Upload for both years of its existence and it seems to be the perfect setting. The venue is separated into various rooms for merch stores, exhibitors, food halls and even an adult crèche for the parents that were dragged along by their kids. One room was designated to exhibiting the award winning PES 2018 prior to its release giving fans an exclusive hands on experience with the game. Another room labelled the Retro Zone was packed full of old consoles and old nostalgic video games from our childhood.

The whole event was topped off by a press conference between KSI and Joe Weller to hype up their upcoming boxing match next February. The press conference was definitely not for the faint hearted, but it definitely was entertaining.
 
With this being a YouTube event, it was a no-brainer that the entire weekend was livestreamed straight to the Upload YouTube channel. The livestreams, which have now been converted into videos to stay on the channel for people to watch over, have garnered over 2 million views within the first 5 days. In addition to this, the video of the press conference has already almost reached 3 million views alone.
 
The event overall was an overarching success and a testament to the power of YouTube and online influencers.