Web Summit returns to Lisbon from 9 to 12 November, bringing thousands of founders, investors, executives and technology companies into the city. But you do not need to be building an app, raising capital or working in technology to benefit from it.
For businesses in fashion, beauty, hospitality, design, media and retail, some of the most interesting opportunities are happening at the intersection of these industries and technology. Think AI, consumer behaviour, e-commerce, digital marketing, customer experience and the creator economy. The trick is knowing where to look and being intentional about how you spend your time.
Here is how to make the most of the week.
1. Go with a business objective, not just a networking mindset
Before attending anything, decide what you actually want to get out of the week. Are you looking for potential partners, new clients, suppliers, investors, technology solutions or simply a better understanding of where your industry is heading?
Be specific. A beauty founder might want to meet companies developing AI powered personalisation tools. A hospitality business owner might be interested in booking technology or customer experience platforms. A marketing professional might want to understand how brands are adapting to changes in digital discovery.
Having a clear objective makes it much easier to identify the right people and events.
2. Look beyond the obvious sessions
You do not need to attend every talk about artificial intelligence. Look for sessions that connect technology to your actual business.
A few worth adding to your schedule this year:
How the Best Brands Hijack Culture: Tuesday, 10 November, 11:35. A conversation about how brands build cultural relevance through sport, entertainment and music.
Orchestrated AI: From Insight to Iconic Creative: Wednesday, 11 November, 10:30. A masterclass exploring AI in advertising, content and marketing.
What Replaces the Click?: Wednesday, 11 November, 12:10. An interesting discussion about how AI is changing the economics of online publishing and digital content.
Surviving and Thriving in the Age of Agentic Commerce: Thursday, 12 November, 10:15. Zalando's CTO explores how AI agents could change online shopping and product discovery.
These are particularly relevant if you work in brand building, marketing, retail, media or e-commerce. Check the official schedule for updates. Conference sessions and masterclasses require a Web Summit ticket, and masterclass places are limited.
3. Find the events happening outside the conference
Some of the most useful connections can happen away from the exhibition floor. Throughout the week, independent organisations, investors, companies and communities organise breakfasts, dinners, workshops and networking events around Lisbon.
Start with the Web Summit side event calendar on Luma. Current listings include a Creator Economy Breakfast, a Women Leaders Circle networking lunch, a Growth Marketing Hackathon and events organised by women in technology.
Do not assume every event is open to everyone. Some require an application, invitation or separate ticket, so check the host's registration details before making plans.
4. Use the opportunity to meet people outside your industry
This is perhaps the biggest opportunity. A technology founder might be looking for a fashion brand to test a product with. A hospitality platform might need introductions to independent hotel owners. An investor might be interested in consumer businesses rather than another software company.
Think about what you can bring to the conversation, too. Your industry knowledge, customer relationships and understanding of a particular market are valuable. You do not need to speak the language of technology to have something relevant to offer.
5. Make the introductions before you arrive
If you have a Web Summit ticket, complete your attendee profile and use the app to discover people by industry, role and shared interests. You can connect with attendees and organise meetings rather than relying entirely on chance encounters.
If you do not have a ticket, use LinkedIn to identify relevant speakers, founders and companies exhibiting. Send a short message explaining who you are and suggesting a coffee while they are in Lisbon.
And remember to follow up. A connection is only useful if you give it a reason to continue beyond the week.
6. Take advantage of Night Summit Downtown
You do not need a conference accreditation to join the official Night Summit Downtown. On Tuesday, 10 November, the meeting point is Quiosque Lisboa in Praça São Paulo, with participating bars around Cais do Sodré. On Wednesday, 11 November, the gathering moves to Príncipe Real, with Quiosque Lisboa as the meeting point. Both run from 21:00 to midnight, and the bars are open to the general public.
It is an easy way to meet people attending the conference without buying a full pass.
Ultimately, Web Summit is an opportunity to access conversations, people and ideas that might otherwise never cross your path. You do not have to attend everything or meet everyone. Choose a few relevant sessions, make a handful of thoughtful introductions and leave with something more valuable than a collection of business cards.
No Web Summit ticket? You can still be part of the week.
You do not need to spend hundreds of euros on a conference pass to make the most of Web Summit in Lisbon. A significant part of the networking happens outside the main venue, through independently organised breakfasts, dinners, workshops, meetups and parties.
Start with the side events. Check the Web Summit events calendar on Luma for events taking place around the city. Many are open to people without a conference ticket, including some free events. Others are paid, invite only or require an application, so always check the individual registration conditions. There are events covering everything from the creator economy and marketing to entrepreneurship, investment and AI.
Make time for Night Summit Downtown. This is probably the easiest opportunity for anyone in Lisbon to join the atmosphere. Unlike the official Night Summit inside the conference venue, which is reserved for accredited attendees, Night Summit Downtown is open to the general public. On Tuesday 10 November, the meeting point is Quiosque Lisboa in Praça São Paulo, with participating bars around Cais do Sodré. On Wednesday 11 November, the gathering moves to Príncipe Real, again starting at Quiosque Lisboa. Both run from 21:00 to midnight, and you can bring friends.
Use the week to arrange your own meetings. Look at the companies attending, identify founders or professionals working in areas relevant to your business, and reach out on LinkedIn. Suggest a coffee, lunch or drink while they are in Lisbon. You do not need a formal networking event to start a conversation.
The important thing is not to confuse access to the conference with access to the people and opportunities surrounding it. You might not be able to attend the talks or enter the exhibition, but you can still meet people, discover companies and become part of the conversations happening across Lisbon.