My Very Subjective Web Summit Survival Guide

Okay, first off, Web Summit should not be seen as an intimidating environment—it is a remarkable tech event and can be quite fun as well. However, if you are there for the first time, it might overwhelm you, and there are things that you might forget or find confusing. So, I decided to write my thoughts for my colleagues attending for the first time, and while writing, I decided to make it an article that anyone can use to help them navigate their first Web Summit.

1. Clear Messaging is Key

The very first, very basic thing is that your message—who you are, why you are at Web Summit, and why it’s worth spending time talking with you—has to be clear. Remember, it’s like a bee hive—full of activity and people buzzing around. You will run into tons of people, and rarely will anyone be ready to listen to you for several minutes for a lengthy pitch, especially the busy CTOs, CEOs, or investors you manage to run into or catch somewhere. Salespersons who are trying to sell you something will be patient, waiting for their turn to speak, but besides them, most people have tight schedules, running between keynotes, pavilions, and meetings. So be ready—have your pitch prepared, and have several versions you can choose from depending on the person you're talking to and the situation.

2. Networking Everywhere

Web Summit is the perfect place for networking. I’ve met new partners and clients at Night Summit events, in the food court, and even in the smoking area. Use these opportunities—don’t be shy—but, of course, respect that others might also want to escape the Web Summit buzz and spend a few minutes alone. Have a less formal pitch ready for situations when you meet people in these more relaxed environments.

Regarding networking at some dedicated events, always keep in mind that people appreciate a positive attitude, someone who listens, reflects, and provides value. When talking with people, be genuinely positive, and try to remember key details about them. One of the power moves in networking is connecting people—introducing them to others who might benefit from knowing each other. And remember, don’t spend the entire event talking to the first friendly person you meet. You don’t want to prevent yourself or the other person from having other meaningful conversations.

3. Side Events—Choose Wisely

Here’s my two cents—consider them, but be careful. Their names can promise a lot, but sometimes that’s not the case, and you will waste your time getting to them and miss other important opportunities. Again, understand what your goals are at Web Summit. If you're there to network, pick the less party-oriented ones. If you're looking for fun, you have plenty of options, even if you skip the crowded Night Summit events. If you want to attend those, it’s quite important to arrive early—standing in long lines isn’t the coolest thing to do at Web Summit. Almost all Night Summit events that I have attended have hit their max capacity soon after the beginning. Sure, you can use that time for networking while standing in line, but how many meaningful conversations can you really have there?

A good source for finding side events is the website innovationscene.pt, which lists Startup and tech-related events. It’s a great tool to help you discover smaller, niche events that might align with your goals.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Take care of yourself. Stay hydrated and grab something to eat. Spending the whole day in the fast-paced rhythm of Web Summit is no joke, especially if you're looking to get the most out of it. Don’t think only grandmas carry medicine—it’s highly likely that a Pepto-Bismol or painkiller in your pocket or bag will save your or your colleagues’ day. The same applies to things like a charger or power bank. Realistically, you’ll find yourself browsing the Web Summit app frequently, so don’t count on your device lasting the entire day. You’ll also need your phone to get an Uber to the side events or your hotel in the evening.

What I find nice is that you can treat yourself by staying in Lisbon for a few days before or after the summit. Lisbon is a nice city with beautiful nature around it—you won’t regret treating yourself to a bit of sightseeing.

5. Dress Code

Web Summit is a nice mix of a tech expo, networking opportunities, and side events dedicated to connecting, along with learning from valuable keynotes. While it’s not as formal as traditional business conferences, it's still important to keep a balance between comfort and professionalism. Most likely, you’ll be walking and standing for long hours, so comfortable shoes are a must. Unless you have your own unique style that you stick to, from my perspective, the event tends to be more casual, with attendees often opting for a smart-casual outfit—think jeans, sneakers, and a blazer or a nice top. However, if you plan on attending important meetings, dressing slightly more polished can leave a great impression.

And don’t forget Lisbon’s weather. It’s usually quite nice—warm during the day, especially in sunny spots—but November is typically the rainiest month of the year in Lisbon. During the day, temperatures average around 18°C (64°F), but in the evening, they can drop to as low as 10°C (50°F). Bringing a light jacket or layering can help you adapt to the changing temperatures. A small umbrella or plastic raincoat can also save your outfit and prevent you from missing a meeting just because you were waiting for the rain to stop.

6. Use LinkedIn and Organize Your Contacts

Finally, let people know you’ll be there. Good old LinkedIn is perfect for that. Post at least one update for your LinkedIn network. Unless you’re a marketing guru, it won’t attract clients directly, but it will help you utilize your existing network—even if you’re not very active when it comes to posting on LinkedIn. Have a clear approach to how you make notes and save contacts. Again, you will meet tons of people, and considering how intense the days are, there is a high probability that you will forget important details or lose some business cards. Having a system in place will be extra valuable after the event when you need to follow up and ensure that you’ve connected with people on LinkedIn.

Following up after the event is very important. Don’t be the annoying person who starts bombarding messages on the Monday after the event—unless you’ve agreed to get in touch right after—but don’t delay the follow-up too much either. The traction can be gone if you wait too long, so keep your important contacts' memories fresh about the conversations you had with them.

Well, that’s what I wanted to share. Some of it may seem subjective and basic, yet still, many of these things I mentioned were lessons learned the hard way—dealing with situations and aspects I hadn’t thought about or prepared for. In the end, this turned into quite a lengthy post, but I hope some of these points help you prepare for and survive Web Summit. See you in Lisbon!

If you need any tips or have any questions, feel free to connect and reach out to me here on LinkedIn—I’d be happy to help!