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Web Summit

Coordinates:38°46′4.9″N9°5′42.6″W/ 38.768028°N 9.095167°W/38.768028; -9.095167
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Web Summit
StatusActive
VenueMEO ArenaandLisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre
Location(s)Lisbon
Coordinates38°46′4.9″N9°5′42.6″W/ 38.768028°N 9.095167°W/38.768028; -9.095167
CountryPortugal
Inaugurated2009 (Dublin)
FoundersPaddy Cosgrave,David Kelly and Daire Hickey
Most recent13–16 November 2023
Next event26–29 February 2024
Attendance70,000 (2022)
LeaderPaddy Cosgrave
WebsiteOfficial websiteEdit this at Wikidata
Praça do ComércioinLisbon,Portugal

Web Summitis an annual technologyconferenceheld inLisbon,Portugal.[1][2] Founded in 2009 byPaddy Cosgrave,David Kelly, and Daire Hickey, Web Summit was held inDublin,Ireland until 2016, when it moved to Lisbon.[3][4]The conference's topics center oninternet technology,emerging technologies,marketingandventure capitalism.Web Summit's partners range fromFortune 500companies tostart-ups,with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high technology industry.

Web Summit runs events throughout the world includingF.ounders,[5]RISEconference inHong Kong,[6]CollisioninToronto,[7]SURGEinBangalore,MoneyConfinDublinandWeb Summit RioinRio de Janeiro.[8]

Speakers[edit]

Speakers have included a mix ofCEOs,subject-matter experts,celebrities,andpoliticians,includingStephen Hawking,Elon Musk,Al Gore,Bono,and U.N Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres.

Partners[edit]

Web Summit's partners includeFortune 500companies, government entities, andprivate foundations,such asGoogle,Meta,Amazon,Cisco SystemsandMicrosoft.[9]

History[edit]

Timeline of events
Year Dates Venue
2009 October 30–November 1 ?
2010 November 15–17 Chartered AccountantsHouse
2011 October 17–19 Royal Dublin Society
2012 October 17–18 Tramway House, 32 Dartry Road,
Dublin 6, D06 XT86, Ireland
2013 October 30–31
2014 November 3–6
2015 November 3–5
2016 November 7–10 MEO ArenaandLisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre
2017 November 6–9
2018 November 4–7
2019 November 4–7
2020 December 2–4 Digital
2021 November 1–4 MEO ArenaandLisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre
2022 November 1–4
2023 November 13–16
2024 February 26–29 Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC)
2024 November 11–14 MEO ArenaandLisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre

2024[edit]

In 2024, Web Summit plans to hold a new event inDoha,Qatar[10][11]

On January 24, 2024, Katherine Maher announced her departure as CEO of Web Summit to become CEO ofNational Public Radio (NPR).[12]In April 2024, Web Summit staff were told Cosgrave had decided to return as CEO.[13]

Web Summitis set to debut a new conference inQatarin February 2024. The exhibition will take place at theDECCand is expected to attract thousands of international entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in the tech world.[14]"

2023[edit]

In October 2023, a number of sponsors and technology companies likeMeta,Google,andAmazoncancelled their participation[15]due to the founder's statement onX(formerly Twitter) regarding theIsrael–Hamas war,in which he asserted that he was "shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders and governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland’s government, who for once are doing the right thing"[16]following the IrishTaoiseach,Leo Varadkar,saying that solidarity with Israel "will fall apart" if the response to Hamas'assault"goes too far."[17]

Hours after Cosgrave's tweets,Israel's ambassador in Lisbon, Dor Shapira, vehemently repudiated Cosgrave and publicly informed the city's mayor that his country would boycott the event.[18]Cosgrave later apologized, defending "Israel's right to exist and to defend itself", thus condemningHamas.[19]Cosgrave resigned as CEO on October 21, 2023, stating that "my personal comments have become a distraction from the event, and our team, our sponsors, our startups and the people who attend".[20][21]Katherine Maherwas later appointed CEO to replace Cosgrave.[22]In January 2024 it was announced that Maher would be cease to be CEO on 1 March to take up the position of chief executive atNPR.[23]

In November 2023, Web Summit announced the launch of a new conference inDoha,Web Summit Qatar.The conference will take place from February 26-29 in 2024.[24]


2022[edit]

Pertaining to the Web Summit 2022 here is item 21 from that year's revitalised Irish Annals, calledDe Reir Book of Moyturaregarding an argybargy in which Mr. Cosgrave supported certain gentlemen of thepress against pressured opinion.

2020[edit]

In December 2020, Web Summit announced the launch of a new conference in Japan,Web Summit Tokyo.The company also announced that the Asia-focusedRISE Conferencewill be moving toKuala Lumpur,Malaysia.Both conferences are scheduled to be held as in-person events in 2022.[25][26]

2019[edit]

Web Summit 2019 took place in Portugal, from November 4 to November 7 at the Altice Arena & Fil inLisbon,Portugal.[27]Some of the speakers includedEdward Snowden;former UK Prime MinisterTony Blair;former professional boxerWladimir Klitschko;Jaden Smith;Guo Ping (Rotating Chairman of Huawei) andKatherine Maher(former CEO of Wikimedia Foundation).[28]

Nutrix won Web Summit PITCH competition for the most ambitious early-stage startups. 900 startups participated.[29]

2018[edit]

Web Summit 2018 took place inLisbonfrom November 4 to November 7. Attendance was at 70,000 participants. Some of the speakers includeMediumFounder & CEOEv Williams,PresidentMicrosoft CorporationBrad Smith,andCEOatBookingGillian Tans.[30]

It was announced thatMarine Le Penof theNational Rallywould be one of the speakers, which caused controversy.[31][32][33][34]Paddy Consgrave initially argued that despite her "wrongheaded" politics, he felt that her views would be adequately challenged by professional journalists.[35][31][32][33][34]As a result of criticism, Paddy Cosgrave announced on Twitter that the invitation to her would be rescinded.[31][32][33][34]

2017[edit]

Arm HoldingsCEOSimon Segars;Web Summit 2017

Web Summit 2017 took place in theAltice ArenainLisbonfrom November 6–9. The event promised to bring 60,000 attendees from over 160 countries together.[36]

1,000 speakers were initially confirmed for the conference and, ultimately, over 1,200 spoke.[37]From the political sphere, speakers such as Former Vice President of the United States of AmericaAl Gore,European Commissioner for CompetitionMargrethe Vestager,and former president of FranceFrançois Hollandewere announced early. In addition to these speakers, big names in tech attending wereIntelCEOBrian Krzanich,OracleCEOMark Hurd,Microsoftpresident Brad Smith,RedditCEOSteve Huffman,Arm HoldingsCEOSimon Segars,Slackco-founder and CEOStewart Butterfield,Asanaco-founder and CEO andFacebookco-founderDustin Moskovitz,Alexander NixofCambridge AnalyticaandBookingpresident and CEOGillian Tans.

Speakers included former world heavyweight championWladimir Klitschko,actress and activistSophia Bush,former Portuguese professional football player andBallon D'OrwinnerLuis Figo,Vogueinternational editorSuzy Menkes,former chess world championGarry Kasparov,musicianWyclef Jean,andGame of ThronesactorLiam Cunningham.[38]

A dinner that was held in theNational Pantheonwas criticised by Portuguese Prime MinisterAntónio Costawho said it was "unworthy of the respect due" to the National Monument.[39]He said that although it was legal, it was because the previous government had allowed what he called "offensive use of this monument".[39]Paddy Cosgrave tweeted his apologies.[39]

2016[edit]

Paddy Cosgrave,Web Summit founder(left)andAntónio Costa,Prime Minister of Portugal(right);2016

In September 2015 Web Summit co-founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave announced that the event would be held inLisbonfor three consecutive editions, from 2016 to 2018.[40]Cosgrave cited the local startup scene and a "cosmopolitan city with better infrastructure conditions and a larger number of hotel rooms" for the decision.[41]

The three-day event held from November 7–10 at theAltice Arena,site ofExpo '98,drew 53,056 attendees from more than 150 countries and more than 1,500 start-ups spread over 21 venues.[42]

Among the more than 600 speakers were tech executives from around the world, includingJohn ChambersofCisco,Facebook CTOMike Schroepfer,andAmazonCTOWerner Vogels.Also speaking at the event were prominent figures from non-tech areas, such as actorJoseph Gordon-Levitt,Salil ShettyofAmnesty International,andMogens Lykketoft,president of the general assembly at theUnited Nations.FootballerLuís Figoand both the Portuguese PresidentMarcelo Rebelo de Sousaand Prime MinisterAntónio Costaspoke as well.[41][42][43]The percentage of women among speakers at the Web Summit was 47% according to independent estimates.[44]

Some of those who had paid up to €5,000 for tickets into the event were unable to get into the event and had to watch it on a screen outside.[45]

2015[edit]

Web Summit 2015

Web Summit 2015 was held over three days from 3 November until the 5 November at the RDS in Dublin. Over 42,000 people attended the event over the three days. Speakers includedEd CatmullofPixar,Michael Dell,Bill FordandChris Froome.

In September 2015, Web Summit announced that they would be moving the event from Dublin to Lisbon. Following the announcement, organisers released email correspondence between the Irish Government and Web Summit CEOPaddy Cosgraveabout hotel costs, traffic, and other issues surrounding the infrastructure in Dublin. This led to a debate in the Irish media about the support the Government had provided to the event since it began and what future promises they could make.[46]

Problems arose with the Wi-Fi,[47]but on a lesser scale than in 2014. The invitation to theTaoiseachwas sent after 9pm on the Friday, with the event opening on the following Monday evening.[48]

2014[edit]

Paddy Cosgrave and TaoiseachEnda Kenny;2014

Web Summit 2014 was held over three days and consisted of nine stages or Summits as they are known; Centre, Machine, Enterprise, Marketing, Builders, Society, Sport, Film, and Music.Eva Longoria,Peter Thiel,andBonowere among the speakers that spoke over the three-day event, with attendance of 22,000 people from 109 countries.[49][50]

On Day 1 there were problems with theWiFinetwork and Web Summit founderPaddy Cosgravetook to the stage on two occasions to apologise for the connectivity problems. The RDS defended their technical set-up with CEO Michael Duffy saying, "The WiFi has successfully responded to the exceptional demands placed on it. This is an unprecedented WiFi density compared to similar European tech events." Attendees were mostly disparaging in their remarks, with some deriding it on social media as "the most Irish thing ever".[51]

International broadcasters includingCNBC,CNN,Fox Business News,Bloomberg,Sky News,Al Jazeera and the BBC all covered the event.

After the announcement of the decision to move the 2016 Web Summit to Lisbon, several Irish technology correspondents cited the WiFi debacle as one major push factor behind the move.[52][53]

2013[edit]

Web Summit 2013

In 2013, over 10,000 people attended the Web Summit, the vast majority from outside Ireland.[54]Speakers includedElon Musk,Shane Smith,Tony Hawk,Drew Houston,andNiklas Zennström.

The event was expanded in its scope with a number of side-events launching as part of it, including the Night Summit,[55]a series of after-hours events featuring musicians from throughout the world, and the Food Summit, a two-day showcase of gourmet Irish Food.[56]

Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, also opened theNASDAQMarket from the Web Summit, the first time it was opened outside of New York since theFacebook IPO.[57]The event was covered substantially in the international media withBloomberg Television,CNN,the Wall Street Journal,andWiredcovering the event.[54]

2012[edit]

Web Summit 2012

In 2012, 4,200 people attended Web Summit. approximately 40% of these came from companies based in Ireland (which provides a European HQ for several major tech companies) and 60% came from companies based elsewhere in Europe. Speakers includedTim Armstrong,Wael Ghonim,andArkady Volozh.

A number of companies from across the world also launched their new products or made announcements as part of the event.[58]

2009–2011[edit]

Dublin Web Summit 2011

The first Web Summit was a mix of bloggers, journalists, and technologists in a hotel on the outskirts of Dublin.[59]Panelists and speakers includedIain Dale,the political blogger,Ben Hammersleyofthe Guardian,and Ian Douglas of theDaily Telegraph.In 2010 it was a meet-up for 400 or so of the local technology community in the Chartered Accountants House in Dublin. Speakers were mainly local entrepreneurs, business people, and investors.[60]In 2011, the event tripled in size and moved to theRoyal Dublin Society.Speakers includedChad Hurley,Jack Dorsey,andMatt Mullenweg.


See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Portuguese American Journal - Web Summit: Lisbon hosting the largest tech event in the world
  2. ^Forbes - Seven Enterprise Startup Standouts At Massive WebSummit, Conference UI EU
  3. ^Temperton, James (9 September 2015)."Web Summit 2016 will ditch Dublin for Lisbon".Wired UK.Retrieved29 September2015.
  4. ^Reuters - Web Summit to stay in Lisbon for 10 years
  5. ^"Dublin Hosts World's Technology Elite".Wall Street Journal.28 October 2011.Retrieved26 November2013.
  6. ^"TOOD at RISE Conference 2016, Hong Kong".TOOD.8 June 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 17 August 2016.Retrieved8 June2016.
  7. ^"Collision 2019".Collision.Retrieved20 May2019.
  8. ^"Web Summit Rio".Retrieved17 June2024.
  9. ^"Meet Web Summit's global partners | Lisbon, November 1–4, 2022".Web Summit | Lisbon.Retrieved2022-10-23.
  10. ^"Qatar to Host Biggest International Tech Event in 2024: Web Summit".Rasmal. 26 January 2024.
  11. ^"Web Summit confirms Lisbon and Qatar events still on, ex-CEO Paddy Cosgrave has 80% ownership of business".Tech Crunch.
  12. ^"Web Summit CEO jumps ship to head up NPR after just 3 months".TechCrunch. 24 January 2024.
  13. ^Horan, Niamh (April 7, 2024)."Paddy Cosgrave back to top at Web Summit as he resumes CEO role after quitting over online posts on Israel-Hamas war".The Sunday Independent.
  14. ^Web Summit Qatar to Debut in February 2024.2024-06-04.
  15. ^"Google and Meta latest to withdraw from Web Summit".RTÉ News.2023-10-20.
  16. ^"CEO of a prominent tech conference resigns amid backlash for public statements over Israel-Hamas war".AP News.2023-10-21.Retrieved2023-10-22.
  17. ^"Solidarity for Israel 'will fall apart' if response 'goes too far', Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says".Independent.ie.2023-10-10.Retrieved2023-10-22.
  18. ^"Israel vai boicotar Web Summit, anuncia embaixador".Expresso(in Portuguese). 2023-10-16.Retrieved2023-10-22.
  19. ^"Web Summit CEO apologizes and condemns Hamas".Globes.2023-10-18.Retrieved2023-10-20.
  20. ^"Cosgrave announces resignation as CEO of Web Summit".RTÉ News.2023-10-21.
  21. ^"Web Summit CEO resigns after comments on Israel-Hamas conflict".Reuters.2023-10-21.Retrieved2023-10-22.
  22. ^Goodbody, Will (30 October 2023)."Web Summit announces new CEO to replace Paddy Cosgrave".RTÉ News.Retrieved30 October2023.
  23. ^Curran, Ian (24 January 2024)."Web Summit Boss Katherine Maher to leave role after three months".The Irish Times.Retrieved25 January2024.
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  28. ^"The Web Summit speakers our attendees can't wait to see".2019-11-03.Retrieved2021-02-12.
  29. ^Callejas, Eder (7 November 2019)."Nutrix Named Winner of Web Summit's 2019 PITCH Competition".TechPope.Retrieved19 December2019.
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  31. ^abcMcDermott, Stephen (15 August 2018)."Web Summit founder withdraws invite for far-right leader Marine Le Pen to 2018 event".TheJournal.ie.Retrieved19 January2021.
  32. ^abcMcSorley, Christina (16 August 2018)."Marine Le Pen's presence deemed 'disrespectful' at Web Summit".BBC News.Retrieved19 January2021.
  33. ^abcO'Donovan, Donal (16 August 2018)."Web Summit chief in U-turn as invitation to far-right leader Le Pen is withdrawn".Irish Independent.Retrieved19 January2021.
  34. ^abcMurphy, Greg (15 August 2018)."Latest: Web Summit withdraw Le Pen invitation saying it is 'disrespectful' to Portugal and attendees".Irish Examiner.Retrieved19 January2021.
  35. ^Cosgrave, Paddy (14 August 2018)."What are militant anarchists, leftist trade union leaders, right-wing populists and libertarians all doing at a tech conference?".Retrieved12 February2021.
  36. ^"WEB SUMMIT | LISBON 2017 | WHERE THE TECH WORLD MEETS".WEB SUMMIT | LISBON 2017.Retrieved2017-08-24.
  37. ^"Web Summit Blog 2017".6 November 2017.
  38. ^"Speakers - The biggest names in tech | Web Summit".WEB SUMMIT | LISBON 2017.Retrieved2017-08-24.
  39. ^abcHalpin, Hayley (14 November 2017)."Web Summit organiser apologises over 'offensive' dinner at Portugal's National Pantheon".TheJournal.ie.Retrieved19 January2021.
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  43. ^"O Web Summit já acabou. No próximo ano há mais".10 November 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 14 November 2016.Retrieved29 July2018.
  44. ^"Gender in Research and Innovation".10 November 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 24 August 2017.Retrieved10 November2016.
  45. ^Russell, Cliodhna (7 November 2016)."People who paid thousands for tickets left waiting outside Web Summit".TheJournal.ie.Retrieved19 January2021.
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  49. ^"Live Blog: Web Summit 2014".Irish Independent.4 November 2014.Retrieved4 November2014.
  50. ^"Web Summit guests to spend €100m in city".Herald.4 November 2014.Retrieved4 November2014.
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  55. ^"Dublin The story behind The Night Summit".Web Summit.22 October 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 3 December 2013.Retrieved26 November2013.
  56. ^"Food Summit a unique opportunity to promote Irish food".Web Summit.30 October 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 3 December 2013.Retrieved26 November2013.
  57. ^"Trading on NASDAQ opened in Ireland for the first time".Web Summit.31 October 2013.Retrieved26 November2013.
  58. ^"Web Summit Picks SmartThings Out Of 100-Strong Startup Competition".TechCrunch.20 October 2012.Retrieved26 November2013.
  59. ^"Revolution in media and politics to dominate Dublin Web Summit".21 October 2009.Retrieved5 October2016.
  60. ^"Payments at the Web Summit".Realex Payments.20 October 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 2 December 2013.Retrieved26 November2013.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

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