Web Summit 2019: The Ultimate Guide ♦ Between conferences, startup presentations, daily or nightly networking, mentoring hours and investor meetings, it is not always easy to decide what to do during the days of the Irish Entrepreneurship and Technology Fair held by Paddy Cosgrave this year between November 4th and 7th. Secrets From Portugal brings you the ultimate Web Summit guide, discover where to sleep, what’s not to miss and where to eat. Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is the home of the event for the 4th time. Enjoy the guide and start getting ready for the event of the year.
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The Web Summit (originally Dublin Web Summit) is Europe’s largest technology conference held annually since 2009. The company was founded by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly and Daire Hickey. The conference theme focuses on internet technology and attendees range from Fortune 500 companies to small technology companies. This contains a mix of CEOs and founders of technology start-ups together with a number of people from the global technology industry.
Websummit is right around the corner and this what you need to do to get ready
Do your homework
Do your research. Reserve time to see all the guests and all the companies, organizations and recruiters that will be speaking at the event.
Listen
Make sure you reach out to the people you talked to and met at the Web Summit. Send an email or leave a voice message. They expect it. And it helps to remember a small detail of your conversation. Follow-up is essential in order not to be quickly forgotten and to stay behind other participants who follow up.
Dress To Impress
What you wear is an important factor that influences the first impression you make on potential employers. Dress up like an interview. Business casual is usually the best bet for such a space.
Plan your schedule
Once you arrive at Web Summit, plan your visit, prioritizing according to your list and order of interests. Confirm that the companies you are interested in are there, and check to see if new companies have been added in the meantime.
What’s Not To Miss
Guo Ping
Rotating Chairman at Huawei
Born in 1966, Mr Guo holds a master’s degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Mr Guo joined Huawei in 1988 and has served many roles since. Currently, Mr Guo serves as Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman of Huawei.
Brad Smith
President at Microsoft
Brad Smith serves as the Microsoft’s chief legal officer and leads work on a wide range of issues, including cybersecurity, privacy, ethics and artificial intelligence, human rights, immigration, philanthropy and environmental sustainability.
Michel Barnier
Chief Negotiator on Brexit at European Commission
Michel Barnier is Chief Negotiator, heading the task force for the preparation and conduct of the negotiations with the United Kingdom under Article 50 TEU.
Manik Gupta
CPO at Uber
Manik Gupta is Uber’s Chief Product Officer. Prior to Uber, he worked at Google for +7 years, leading the creation and curation of all the data driving Google Maps and at Hewlett Packard, managing their e-commerce initiatives in Asia-Pacific and Japan.
Jaden Smith
Co-founder at 501CTHREE.org & JUST water
Jaden Smith is an actor, musician and activist. He is the co-founder of 501cTHREE.org & JUST water – two groups driving positive social and environmental change across energy, food, water & shelter.
Where To Sleep
Hotel Avenida Palace
The Hotel Avenida Palace, located in the centre of Lisbon close to Bairro Alto and the Chiado, is a 5-star Hotel which combines luxury and charm and is regarded as part of the city’s historic heritage. Boasting an exceptional location between Lisbon’s Pombaline Downtown and the Avenida da Liberdade, elegant neoclassical architecture, sophisticated and luxurious decoration and more than a century of history, although completely renovated, the hotel occupies the boundary where tradition and innovation meet.
Memmo Príncipe Real – Design Hotels
Tucked away in a privileged location – through a narrow street and a small tunnel – sits Memmo Príncipe Real, home to a secret sightseeing spot with breathtaking views over the city and a gateway to explore one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Lisbon.
InterContinental Lisbon
Known as the leading luxury hotel that uniquely fuses the cultural richness of Lisbon with a vibrant international style, InterContinental Lisbon is the gateway for guests to connect to the new passionate spirit of Lisbon. Located in the heart of Lisbon, facing Eduardo VII Park, Marques de Pombal Square and within walking distance to the luxurious Avenida da Liberdade, its modern/iconic shape stands out from the surrounding buildings like a large window overlooking into the city and its monuments, down towards the Tagus River and beyond.
Valverde Hotel
Located in the Avenida da Liberdade, in the noblest of Lisbon, Valverde Hotel opened its doors in September 2014. It reminds us of London and New-York Town Houses, with its classic and elegant style, it’s contemporary furniture, works of art and antiques. Its warm colours, the comfort of its fabrics and materials, its homey arrangement of space, are what distinguishes the Valverde Hotel from any other hotel in the surrounding area, an “Oasis of comfort and discreet luxury.”
Altis Avenida Hotel
Hotel Altis Avenida is a boutique hotel, with an extraordinary location in the city centre on the Praça dos Restauradores. The architecture and decoration are inspired by the Portuguese ’40s and revolves around the concept of retro urban chic, where past and future meld in a unique atmosphere of charm and glamour. Get acquainted with the location of the Altis Avenida Hotel.
Where To Eat
Alma
ALMA is a fine dining restaurant, with signature cuisine, served informally in a sophisticated ambience. It aims to be an innovative restaurant, not only regarding food proposals, as to simplify and break down some basic rules. For Henrique Sá Pessoa there is only good cuisine and bad cuisine. He defines him as a tasteful cuisine: refined taste, perfect technique and excellent product. The basis of his culinary philosophy is in his influences and references: travels around the world, the passion for Asia, the knowledge of traditional Portuguese cuisine, the life in Lisbon.
Belcanto
At Belcanto, José Avillez offers a unique gastronomic and sensory journey.
Here he offers contemporary Portuguese cuisine in a sophisticated setting that takes us on a journey in time, from Chiado’s old romantic past to the future. With two Michelin stars and currently #42 on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List”. Belcanto is located at Lisbon’s historic centre, offers an attentive, welcoming and discreet service, and an extraordinary wine selection that showcases some of the best Portuguese wines as well as other celebrated international references.
Loco
A tree, a stove; light, stone, nature. Heart. Loco means at the place, in this case, at the kitchen. And the kitchen is the heart of Chef Alexandre Silva and his team. LOCO is organic, values the national products and nature, and lives at the mercy of micro seasons. In the LOCO kitchen, there is a respect for the micro-seasons, the products are used at the right time and with close contact with the suppliers.
Eleven
The restaurant is located in the heart of Lisbon’s business district, overlooking the entire city and surrounded by lush gardens. More than simply a restaurant, Eleven is a place of culture and art, both at the table and beyond it. The architecture of the purpose-built building is modern, minimalist and organic, using natural materials like wood and decorative stones, and boasting enormous glass windows that open towards Lisbon and the river Tagus. The restaurant witnesses metamorphosis during the day as it adapts to the changing effect of the outside light and the views over Lisbon. Drapes, candles, soft lights, music…. all is transformed to create an atmosphere that is vibrant during the day and intimate at night.
Feitoria
Located in Altis Belém Hotel & Spa, the Michelin-starred Feitoria Restaurant aims to provide experiences that go far beyond dinner. With a vision focused on the origin of the product, the whole experience at Feitoria is about the product with great respect for the producers.
Where To Go After (Rooftops and Bars)
Lumi Rooftop at Hotel Lumiares
Lumi Rooftop at Hotel Lumiares is a hidden gem situated within the fashionable Bairro Alto area of Lisbon. Enjoy a finely prepared dinner by well-known Chef Joao Silva or sip on a glass of your favourite wine while taking in the spectacular panoramic views below. This sophisticated space allows you to take a step back from the craze of everyday life and just relax over the tranquil views of Lisbon.
Rossio Gastrobar
Sophistication, luxury and romance come to mind when describing the Rossio, the rooftop restaurant at Altis Avenida. Situated in the middle of the city, it’s the ideal stop after a day of sight-seeing for a cocktail in the sun or a classy meal to see off the evening. With seating inside and out, a whole list of Portuguese wines and great food, there is no wonder why The Rossie is such a hot spot when it comes to rooftop bars and restaurants in Lisbon.
Sky Bar Rooftop
The Sky Bar is a destination you can head to no matter day or night, although during the sunset the views are just spectacular. It’s the perfect location to enjoy panoramic views across the city whilst enjoying a whole host of cocktails and live music. Rated one of the top rooftop bars in Lisbon, it’s a great way to start or end your holiday on a high. We recommend the Moonshell Cocktail, (a blend of Gin, Tequila, Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, Sugar Syrup and Rosemary) while taking in the views.
