Contagion Media Attends the Youtube Creator Collective in Phoenix, AZ
By KBR
A story about creativity, community, and showing up for your future.
As a professional artist, there are moments in the creative journey that feel pivotal. Not because they are loud or flashy, but because something in your heart says: "This is exactly where you needed to be."
For Contagion Media, The YouTube Creator Collective event in Phoenix was one of those moments.
Image Provided by Youtube
What started as a casual invite from Maddie (a longtime YouTuber, now monetized creator) turned into a full-circle experience for signed artists on our team. We attended to network, to learn, to film a vlog, and honestly… to just see what would happen.
While getting ready for the event, Erick Grillo shared:
“I just want to meet some really dope people — other artists, other creatives, other content creators pushing the boundaries of what they can do as independent artists.”
If you’ve ever gotten ready for a creator event, you know the chaotic energy that comes before: Clothes everywhere. Camera batteries charging last minute. Double checking the details.
When we finally arrived at Century Grand Phoenix, the atmosphere felt cinematic. Warm lighting. Vintage textures. Creators everywhere. Not the kind of event where you whisper your elevator pitch but the kind where conversations spill past the surface into dreams, fears, breakthroughs, and work-in-progress identities.
While filming the vlog (linked below), Maddie shared something that hit all of us:
“This event felt particularly special to me because I have been watching YouTube for the past 20 years. So to celebrate their 20 year anniversary felt so surreal. And on top of that, I had been making YouTube videos since I was a kid, and I decided to pursue this as my career.”
Image Provided by Youtube
This night was like a speakeasy that felt like it was built specifically for creators, artists, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, and storytellers. People weren’t just exchanging business cards, we were talking dreams, failures, beginnings, and breakthroughs.
Sarel Moon summed it up beautifully:
Image Provided by Youtube
“Being invited to the YouTube Creator Collective felt really, really special. The vibe was so warm and welcoming… there was so much talent in the room. Hearing everyone’s stories made me feel energized and grateful to be part of this community.”
One thing that surprised us? Nobody was trying to be the “coolest person in the room.” Everyone was just trying to connect. There were no egos floating above, but only people who understood what it means to build without guarantees.
La Unica said something that hit every creator who’s ever felt like they’re building alone:
“Bringing community together is important because it does feel alone sometimes… having that like-minded person when it comes to things like this is crucial in your creative journey.”
That’s the real truth of the creator economy no one posts about. For some, it wasn’t followers or brand deals. That mindset echoed throughout the evening: not competition, but curiosity. Not clout-chasing, but connection.
Kevin Fides also reflected: “This was a really good space for me… I learned from others, related to people, and got inspired. Everyone was pursuing what they love. That’s the kind of energy that helps you grow and reinvent yourself.”
And then Maddie said something we could all relate to:
“There were times I couldn’t even imagine myself being monetized or attending an event like this.”
Youtube Creator Collective Phoenix 2025 | Vlog by Contagion Media
All professional artists or creative can feel that line in our bones. Anyone who’s ever uploaded a video with zero views knows exactly what she meant. Sometimes it can take years before you see your progress. Because of this, when you see your dedication compared to the artist you were maybe a year ago or five years ago, it’s important to celebrate every single win.
The Youtube Creator Event in Phoenix was a beautiful reminder that creators aren’t meant to build alone. Communities like the Youtube Creator Collective and Contagion Media exist because creators are stronger together. Want to see the getting ready, the location, the energy, and real behind-the-scenes moments? Subscribe to Contagion Media on Youtube.
Edited by KBR on December 5, 2025
