Content guidelines
Content guidelines
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I'm preparing my talk. What are the 'dos and don'ts' on stage at Web Summit?
I'm preparing my talk. What are the 'dos and don'ts' on stage at Web Summit?
To make sure your time on stage is as successful as possible, here is a set of guidelines and standards that we’d ask you to adhere to:
Pharrell Williams at Web Summit 2024
1. Talks should focus on your expertise, not on self-promotion
1. Talks should focus on your expertise, not on self-promotion
You’ve been invited to Web Summit because you’ve got some amazing ideas. We want to hear them. Onstage sessions should be focused around your ideas relating to how technology is impacting our world.
Talks shouldn’t be considered as free commercials for your products or services. An exception may be made if your company is launching a new product or making an announcement as part of your talk. This, however, would need to be agreed on with the stage's producer ahead of time.
2. Content should be timely and newsworthy
2. Content should be timely and newsworthy
Thousands of journalists come to our events. To keep the content intriguing and valuable for everyone, we put a premium on novelty and forward-looking angles for our talks.
Fresh perspectives on a trend that’s capturing the public’s attention resonate well with our event audience, and are more likely to be covered by the media.
We don’t shy away from controversy, but we do aim to be thoughtful about presenting multiple angles and showcasing all viewpoints in an open and responsible manner, rather than focusing on just one perspective.
3. Presentations must be original
3. Presentations must be original
All talks need to be original and unique. Recycling a talk that’s been given previously is not permitted.
For presentations, speakers must submit their slides well in advance of the event. A deadline will be relayed ahead of the event. The producers who manage each stage will need access prior to the event in order to check the visuals that will be displayed on the screen.
4. Stick to your time limit
4. Stick to your time limit
It’s critical that you keep to the time you’ve been allocated.
Most sessions across our events run from 10 to 25 minutes, and the stage producer will state the allotted time for your session to you and your team before the event.
A countdown clock is visible on every stage, at every event. Going over time reflects poorly on your professionalism as an invited speaker.
5. Interview-style talks should stick to the agreed-upon topic
5. Interview-style talks should stick to the agreed-upon topic
We don’t seek to limit the scope of the conversation, nor should all of the interview questions be cleared ahead of time. The moderator has final say over what’s asked on stage.
Nonetheless, it’s important that the session doesn’t veer too far from the agreed title and description. Conversation needs to be thought-provoking and challenging, where necessary, but with respect for all individuals on stage.
Jessica Sibley, CEO, TIME; Nicholas Thompson, CEO, The Atlantic; and Christian Broughton, CEO, The Independent; on Centre Stage at Web Summit 2024
Panel introductions
Panel introductions
Once a moderator is assigned to your talk, our content producers will facilitate an introduction over email. At this point, your moderator will have received a briefing with your bio as well as a description of your talk content. We recommend you arrange a call with your moderator at this stage.
We also recommend that you meet your moderator and/or co-panelists onsite in our speaker prep area on the day of your talk.
Visual aids & presentation guidelines
Visual aids & presentation guidelines
I'm presenting slides/using visual aids on stage. What do I need to know?
I'm presenting slides/using visual aids on stage. What do I need to know?
If you're presenting slides or audio-visual materials during your talk, your content producer will send an email with a unique link to use for uploading your presentation.
You will need to submit the file for review by Thursday October 30.
Growth and Breakout Startup speakers must submit their presentations for review by Thursday October 23.
These checks are necessary to avoid possible technical failures on stage, and to enable content producers and technicians to advise any changes that would maximise the impact of your time on stage.
Presentation submission deadlines must be respected in order to facilitate a timely review by our producers and AV technicians.
Presentations which do not meet the specifications below will be rejected, and you will need to resubmit.
Dress code
Dress code
What should I wear? What's the vibe?
What should I wear? What's the vibe?
There is no specific dress code for Web Summit, but speakers tend to dress 'smart casual' at the event.
Top tip: For your stage appearance, avoid wearing clothes with a closely-striped pattern, as these can cause a strobe effect on camera.
Eva Longoria backstage at Web Summit 2022
On the day...
On the day...
What time do I need to arrive at the venue?
What time do I need to arrive at the venue?
You should arrive at the venue at least 90 minutes before you're due on stage.
It might seem excessive, but you'll need to collect your accreditation at Speaker registration and get through police security screening at the speaker entrance – so give yourself that extra time!
I'm in. Where do I go now?
I'm in. Where do I go now?
Make your way to the Speaker Lounge to check in with the speaker success team at the 'Speaker prep' check-in desk.
If you have a presentation, a technician based in Speaker prep can run through your presentation with you to ensure everything is in working order.
I've checked in. Now it's nearly showtime. What happens?
I've checked in. Now it's nearly showtime. What happens?
Around 30 minutes before you're due on stage, one of our speaker liaisons will identify themselves to you, and you'll be escorted to your stage. Please keep an eye on your app as they might reach out to you there.
Backstage, you'll be fitted with a mic, and you'll have an opportunity to meet with the stage producer and the other panellists (where relevant).
Camera guidelines for your team
Camera guidelines for your team
My team wants to film my talk, and capture footage of the event in general. Is that ok?
My team wants to film my talk, and capture footage of the event in general. Is that ok?
If your team wants to film at the event, they must adhere to a number of policy guidelines. Please see the camera guidelines below, which outline what is and is not permitted.
These guidelines are based on security considerations and data protection under GDPR, and the aim is to keep filming as unobtrusive as possible.
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