Preparing for a conference is always a buzz for me, especially when it’s held in a different country. Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy traveling around the United States, but when I get the chance to go somewhere I’ve never been before, like Portugal, the conference experience becomes even more exciting.
I’m currently preparing for my next conference, Web Summit, which is taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. I can’t wait to get the most out of this conference and experience as much of the “Rainha do Mar” (Queen of the Sea) as I can while I’m there.
Industry events like this are excellent additions to any content marketing strategy, and getting the most of them requires careful planning. You want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck by meeting with important contacts, hitting the right sessions, and taking advantage of the events beyond the conference. Throw the whole Lisbon location on top of it all, and it makes planning even more critical.
Luckily, Web Summit understands this and has listed on its site a multitude of things to do, see, and try while you’re in Lisbon to help you make the most of your time. I’ve broken it down below, along with some spots I’m definitely checking out. If you’re attending, make sure you investigate the various things you can do to fill your free time:
My pick: Praça do Comércio, for the history nerd in me.
My pick: Silk. Give me that view.
My pick: Río Maravilha. Drinking in an old, historic factory turned into a bar has to be pretty cool.
My pick: Tasca do Chico. Hanging out with locals to hear live music sounds too good to pass up.
As far as the event itself goes, take note of the speakers you don’t want to miss and the sessions you can’t wait to attend. Now, if you’ve perused the conference schedule, then you’ve noticed there are a ton (and I do mean a ton) of sessions to choose from. Be mindful of when they all start so you aren’t overbooking yourself, and make sure you’re being selective.
Here are a few guidelines I like to follow when there are millions of sessions to choose from, and I’m not sure which I want to commit to:
- Gut factor: If you read a session title and description and get that familiar “I’ve got to be there” feeling, mark it down.
- Insight opportunity: Ask yourself whether you think the session will leave you more informed and better equipped to tackle challenges in your industry than when you entered the room.
- Team benefits: Will the session provide insights that can help others at your company, too? If so, it’s probably a good one to check out.
This is a three-day conference, and each day is packed with loads of insightful sessions and Q&As with top industry leaders and tech innovators. Not only will speakers discuss the future of marketing and tech, but they’ll also tackle such issues as our health and well-being, the state of the environment, and how the political landscape is being influenced by technology. Make sure you come with a plan, take plenty of notes, and take full advantage of the beautiful location.
Are there certain insights you hope to gain from Web Summit 2017? Make sure you schedule some time for us to connect and discuss content!
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