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Orem • Utah's only fan convention for YouTube stars and their viewers will get bigger in its second year, its organizers promise — as it also goes head to head with one of the state's most popular events.
CVX Live, which launched last August, will return for a second run March 25-26 at the UCCU Center on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.
That's the same weekend that Salt Lake Comic Con will mount the third FanX event at Salt Lake City's Salt Palace Convention Center. CVX organizers said the schedule conflict could not be avoided.
"We really did not want to do that," said John Roberts, one of CVX Live's co-founders and organizers, at a launch event Monday.
Brett Roberts, John's brother and co-organizer, added that "there's quite a difference in a lot of the demographics" between the two events.
For Robbie Bagley, who creates videos of Disney covers with his family on the channel Working With Lemons, CVX Live is a great networking experience.
"We've made a lot of connections," said Bagley, a 23-year-old student at UVU who got his start on YouTube filming his siblings in a live-action cover of the song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" from "Frozen" in March 2014. The video became a viral sensation, earning more than 220 million views.
"You're able to grow your audience, meet your audience face to face, which is fun," Bagley said.
Bagley's 10-year-old sister, Mia, who played the young Anna in the "Frozen" cover, likes to perform. "It's fun," she said. "You get to play different characters. You just get to try stuff out."
CVX Live boasted some 6,000 visitors in its inaugural run last August at UCCU Center, bringing together YouTube creators with the people who watch them.
This year's line-up of artists is still coming together, the Roberts brothers said, but some YouTubers have confirmed their appearance. They include popular Utah singer Alex Boye, the BYUtv comedy troupe Studio C and one-time "The Voice" contestant Madilyn Paige.
Paige, from Provo, was the winner of last year's "The Next Big YouTuber" contest at CVX Live, and will be a featured artist this year. The Roberts brothers announced that this year's contest is underway.
Entries will be accepted online through Feb. 29, with fan voting online March 4-11. A panel of experts and celebrities will comb through the top 20 contestants to choose five finalists, which will be announced on March 25 — with a winner selected March 26.
The event also will expand its educational track, offering workshops and panels for would-be YouTubers to learn how to produce and market their YouTube videos.
Tickets for CVX Live went on sale Monday, at the event's website, CVXLive.com. Passes range from a one-day pass for $25 to an Ultimate Pass, good for both days and including access to VIP events and the insider panels and classes, for $125. Early-bird discounts are also available.
Twitter: @moviecricket —
Who's coming to CVX Live?
Here is a list of YouTube video creators who will be appearing at CVX Live, March 25-26 at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University, Orem:
Daily Bumps • Family vlogger
KFaceTV • Nerd-culture music parodies
Vocal Point • BYU a capella ensemble
Ellie & Jared • Vlogging infertility, pregnancy and babyhood
Beautylicious Insider • Teen fashion/beauty advice
Jack Vale • video pranks
Cute Girls Hairstyles • Hairstyling demonstrations
Stuart Edge • Comedy videos, including pranks
What's Inside? • Cutting open things, from golf balls to wasp nests
Carl & Jinger • Family vlogger, with comedy
Scott DW • Musical/ comedy videos
Brooklyn & Bailey • Teen style advice
Shaytards • Family vlogger, with adventures
CarlieStylez • Lifestyle vlogger
Hair 101 with April • Hairstyling tips
Studio C • BYUtv sketch-comedy troupe
Peter Hollens • A capella singer
Bored Shorts TV • Comedy, famous for "Kid Snippets" shorts
Madilyn Paige • Provo singer, former contestant on "The Voice"
Working With Lemons • Covers of Disney songs
Gardiner Sisters • Singing trio
Alex Boye • Utah singer