Nothing. Everything. What is Web Summit 2021 worth?
Just a week ago, Lisbon gathered 40.000 people from the IT world. The fact that the conference retook place after 2 years break says that we have made it… we know how to fight the COVID pandemic, and it does not scare people anymore!
So, what is Web Summit 2021? Is it worth thinking about Web Summit 2022 as the event to attend next year?
I named this post "Nothing. Everything". You may find the same words in one famous dialogue in the movie "The Kingdom of Heaven." That's is the response of Salah Ad-Din to Balian's question, "What is Jerusalem worth?".
You are welcome to explore my findings of the Web Summit 2021 and decide if it is worth being in Lisbon next year!
The size matters.
I had a chance to attend many IT conferences in the past, but Web Summit is indeed the largest IT people gathering I have ever seen. When the whole stadium cheering speakers on the main stage, it may seem that you attend a football match instead of some "tech event." The scale of the conference amazed me.
What is even more impressive is that all these people are smart, intelligent, technology-driven, and in most cases, addicted to what they do.
Networking is our everything.
During the 4 days of the conference, I had more than 30 meetings. People at Web Summit are open to sharing ideas, news, thoughts, and values that everyone can bring to each other. So, if you apply a value-based approach to networking and negotiations, you may find people that will be your clients and partners in the future.
The mistake many sales managers make is that they try to sell something immediately — teams, services, products… it does not work. Instead, what you should sell is your experience that may bring potential value. What is even more critical, you have to feel the person you meet.
Networking is all about finding common topics to discuss. For instance, I've met a tech-entrepreneur who also plays badminton, and we spent 30 minutes sharing knowledge about tech inventions in the world of sports. Stefan Ljutzkanov — it was nice meeting you ;)
Be prepared to compete for the time.
One of the contacts I met at the conference has shown the summit's app where he had 20+ messages from girls and boys with Slavic names trying to set up a meeting. He met me because my message was more relevant. I researched his profile before the meeting and explained the reason why we have to meet precisely.
Be ready that your message "Hey, let's meet. We offer X services" will last without response.
You can not cover everything.
The Web Summit lasts 4 days. It offers so many options for events, parties, gatherings, but it does not mean that you have to attend all of them. That's not possible to keep your head cool and your minds fresh if you spend each evening partying and sharing cocktails with other Web Summit members.
Sure, if you find night summit more "fruitful," you can even pass the main event — but do not try to cover everything. You may find yourself exhausted on the 2nd-3rd day of the event.
Leave the time for Lisbon — enjoy it all!
Web Summit is also about the city where it has been held. So be sure that you dedicate at least one full day to spend it in the city and explore its beauty.
Drink some local beer here:
Take an electric scooter or a bike to ride the city. Bolt will cost you 19.99 euros per whole day:
Watch the city from some top views:
Do not forget to buy traditional Portuguese conserves that a packed with a great deal of taste:
Make sure that you have taken the photo of Lisbon's tram and keep nothing in your pockets when you decide to ride it:
Take some wine at the Summits venue called "Wine Summit":
Meet your friends:
Do not forget who You are:
P.S. Ira, it was great to experience Web Summit 2021 together!
P.P.S. Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sidorenko/
