Thousands of people travel during the year all over the world, but, in November, the world travels to the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal!
Anyone who has been in what is the biggest tech event in the planet knows it’s busy days, a crazy schedule, and many hours of walking around. But there are little tips you can keep in mind to tackle the Web Summit and bring home just a lot of knowledge and memories from times well past.
Want to know what they are? Let’s get to it!
Web Summit: Tips to keep in mind
One of the biggest challenges I’ve encountered in previous editions is being able to watch everything I want. Because many stages are far from each other and crossing the pavilions with thousands of people is sometimes a nightmare!
Now here are some of my tips for tackling the upcoming Web Summit as an expert.
Keep the app close at hand
The Web Summit app is probably the most essential tool you can have, and it’s always worth having it at hand.
Here you can build your schedule with all the conferences you want to attend, with the stages and times, and see which ones intersect. The hard part will be deciding which ones to drop.
In the app, you’ll also find a complete list of all participants (from volunteer to the most prominent guest), with whom you can even chat or arrange meetings to get to know your projects or even present your own unicorn 😉
Don’t wait until the last minute
Thousands and thousands of Web Summit attendees are expected, so the timing of accreditation or entry can be real torture.
Please note that at Lisbon Airport, there’s a center where you can immediately register without waiting for the first day of the event. I did this last year, and it saved me a lot of time in queues.
Please also have in mind that if you want to attend the opening session, don’t arrive late, or you risk missing out. They will block the entrance at the Center Stage if the place is full.
The same applies to conferences during the event period. If you have a particular intervention you’d like to see, go to the stage where it will take place sometime before it begins. When the previous panel is over, people will get up, and you can take a seat and watch the one you were waiting for.
Dress for success… but don’t overdo it!
If you’re going to the Web Summit to make contacts and know the right people to drive your business, thinking about the first impression makes perfect sense.
But forget the strictest dress. You’re among tech people, and you may come across a CEO in torn pants and All Star shoes. I’m not saying to indulge in the sloppiness of a Sunday outfit, but you don’t need a suit and tie or a black dress at all. And ladies, forget about the heels! Web Summit = miles and miles running back and forth! Comfortable footwear is indispensable!
Food and drinks
At the Web Summit, there’s always a food court, but when we’re talking about an event with so many people, it can sometimes be hard to get something to eat. Especially if you’re trying your luck at lunchtime and if you have little time between conferences you want to see.
Next to the event grounds, there’s a shopping mall that reinforces the offer in the area. But my suggestion is to take some energy bars with you and try to eat outside the busiest hours.
Oh, and don’t forget to keep the hydration levels!
Go around the various pavilions
During conference breaks, be sure to circulate around the various pavilions. There are many companies with exciting stands. Go through startups and spend a little time getting to know innovative projects that could one day become giants.
Lastly, pay attention to the Night Summit programming. After all, the “party” continues throughout the city even after the conferences end at Parque das Nações.
How to get to the Web Summit
To get to the Web Summit on event days, forget you have a car. Parking can be hell! Opt for public transport.
Metro de Lisboa (Lisbon’s subway), Carris (bus) and CP (train) are the best options.
Also, keep in mind that, despite being an option, services such as UBER will be crowded, and it will not be easy to arrange transportation at the highest flow of attendees to and from the event.
Web Summit Location
And that’s it! These are just a few tips that I hope will make your Web Summit experience as enjoyable as possible.
For those who couldn’t get a ticket for this edition or can’t be present, I’ll be attending, and I’ll try to share with you some of the best moments. To follow along on IG Stories! 😉
What about you? Have you ever been to any edition of the Web Summit? So you have some tips to share? I would love to know them! Leave it in the comments box below.
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