If Complex Networks’ ComplexCon has been the paragon of a publisher event, Popsugar’s Play/Ground offers an alternative, more replicable model, especially as companies like Popsugar parent Vox Media ramp up their experiential businesses to span more than 100 in-person events this year.
This year, Popsugar pared down its health- and wellness-centric event from a two-day, 15,000-person festival to a one-day, 600-attendee affair that it hosted on June 2 in Los Angeles, as documented in the video below.
“We decided that the experience in person was better, smaller and more intimate and people just had a better experience here so they could really have conversations and engage with each other, engage with our vendors,” said Tara Reilly, vp of experiential and partnerships at Vox Media.
The event’s attendee count may have been smaller, but its list of activities was packed, from beauty treatments and B12 shots to fitness classes and on-stage sessions.
“I did the sculpt class. I got a B12 vitamin shot. I’ve had food. I got a little eye makeup done. So I’ve just been taking it all in,” said one attendee.
More in Media
Le Monde blocked the bots. Now it’s working out what to do about paying readers showing up as agents
Le Monde is “figuring out” how to maintain its subscription partnership with readers who use AI agents rather than its homepage or app.
Cannes is becoming ‘a Super Bowl moment’ for creators: How they’re storming the French Riviera
Cannes Lions 2026 is gearing up to be the advertising industry event’s biggest bet on creators yet.
The Rundown: AI clones split the creator economy
Unauthorized AI voice clones and authorized digital twins are splitting the creator economy in half as brands, lawyers, and talent take stock.