White House to Hold First Conference for Digital Creator Industry

The White House announced on June 28 that it will host the first-ever Creator Economy Conference in August, which will bring together digital creators, industry professionals, and senior administration officials.

Christian Tom, director of digital strategy at the White House, made the announcement while addressing an audience at Vidcon, an annual convention for social media influencers. The digital strategy office oversees the Biden administration’s online communication across social media, digital creators, and publishers.

The conference is scheduled to be held on Aug. 14 and will focus on issues such as artificial intelligence, fair pay, data privacy, and mental health, according to Mr. Tom, who is also an assistant to President Joe Biden.

“It will be the first of its kind. It will be the first-ever event to take place on the White House campus that is focused specifically on the creator economy,” he said.

Mr. Tom said the purpose of the conference is to form a dialogue between digital creators, industry professionals, and senior White House officials on “some of the really substantive topics that specifically address this community.”

“It is, [as] you all know, a multi-billion dollar industry that you all work in. It is your expertise, it is your time, and it is your labor that helps to create economic opportunity it represents a huge part of not just the economic picture for the United States, but for the cultural contributions,” the official said.

“I think there is a need and an opportunity for the creator community to have its voice heard around some of the unique needs that the creator economy demands and an opportunity for my colleagues and for the White House to really hear some of these things directly from you all for the first time,” he added.

Attendance at the conference is by invitation only, but Mr. Tom said that digital creators interested in attending can fill out an online form on the White House website.

Last week, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced it will open a credential request access for content creators, allowing them access to key spaces across the United Center during the convention. The convention, where it’s expected the Democrat Party will formally nominate President Biden as their 2024 candidate, will be held in Chicago from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.

The DNCC said that credentialed creators will be provided with logistical support as well as the opportunity to cover the convention and connect with surrogates and VIP attendees.

“Creators have revolutionized the way Americans consume information and content, and their innovations will continue to play a critical role in how the American people view not only this election cycle, but every election cycle moving forward,” Cayana Mackey-Nance, DNCC director of digital strategy, said in a June 21 press release.

Matt Hill, DNCC senior director of communications, said his organization is “meeting Americans where they are and making sure they know what’s on the line in November, no matter how or where they see their content.”

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.