The Web Summit is Europe’s biggest tech conference. It will return as an in-person event in Lisbon this November. Organizers also confirmed the same on Wednesday. The event was held online last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How is the Web Summit 2021 preparing for a Corona safe event?
In November 2021, the CEO of Web Summit Paddy Cosgrave announced that Lisbon’s Altice Arena had been booked for 2021. The event organizers assured that they are in regular contact with the health authorities to set up a COVID-safe event. However, it has not yet been decided by the masks or tests that will be required. But the venue is prepared to ensure social distancing is possible.
As per the Portuguese government’s plans, compulsory use of masks in outdoor areas will be lifted in September. However, masks will still be necessary for large gatherings and be compulsory indoors. Furthermore, just like it did prior to the pandemic, Web Summit will stream elements of the conference online.
On the event returning back in-person
CEO Cosgrave said in a statement, “We couldn’t be more excited to return in-person. Seeing people safely connecting in-person again, and re-experiencing the magic of face-to-face interactions, will be incredible”.
Over 1,000 speakers and 1,250 startups are going to attend the Summit. This event will take place from November 1-4. Moreover, it was attended by around 104,000 people when the event went online last year. Now that it is coming back as an in-person event, over 40,000 people are expected to attend this year. Even in 2019, just under 70,500 tickets were sold for the event.
The number of daily new coronavirus cases rose in June and early July. They were at the same level as seen in February when Portugal was under a strict lockdown. But given the vaccination program progress, this number has been falling slightly since late July.
According to the government data, some 71% of Portugal’s population has received one dose of a COVID vaccine. While 62% have been fully vaccinated.