• Sole use of masterclass room for 45 minutes

• Masterclass rooms are arranged in theatre style seating

• 1 Smart screen and stand

• A single internet-enabled network (ethernet) cable

• HDMI cable (5m)*

• 4 x handheld microphones

• 1 x PA system

• 1 x trestle table

• 1 x lectern

• One multi-board plug socket

• Drinking water

• Logo on the masterclass web page

• Masterclass feature in the app schedule

*Please bring any cables you may require beyond a HDMI (eg Thunderbolt, etc.)

• Ensure presentations are in 16:9 widescreen format.

• Ensure any audio and/or video embedded in your presentation is in .mov format and set to autoplay.

• The presentation must operate offline. We endeavour to provide a sufficient wifi service, but we cannot guarantee that it will be available at all times.

If you are presenting slides during your masterclass session and wish to share these with the attendees post-event, please discuss this with your Partner Success Manager. You could include a QR code at the end of your presentation, which attendee’s can scan to access the presentation after the  masterclass.

Examples of previous masterclass topics:

• Forsta : Storytelling the human experience of data

• Amazon Web Services: Getting started with AI

• Mavenoid: Why chatbots suck and how to make them better

• InvestSP: The role of art and culture in troubled times

• Siemens: How IoT will change the world

• Norton : Women in tech : Leadership journeys and the road ahead

• Stripe : Embedded payments: Growing your SaaS business in the face of economic uncertainty

• Use your time wisely. When running a 45-minute masterclass, the recommended structure is 30 minutes of content followed by 15 minutes of Q&A with the audience. It is of course at your discretion how you would like to structure your time, but please note that a Q&A element must be included within your 45 minutes.

• Avoid sales pitches at all costs. Attendees don’t like them, and they don’t work. Masterclasses are an opportunity to position yourself as a thought-leader, so presenting curated, engaging, high-quality, topical content is a must. Share your experience, insights and know-how in areas such as leadership, strategy, policy, entrepreneurship and/or development.

• We recommend having a maximum of between 1-4 hosts.

• Please ensure your host has been assigned a ticket so they feature on the schedule.

• To ensure a higher attendance rate for your masterclass, try to avoid creating a very niche topic, such as a session around a particular product that is being sold by your company. Higher performing topics can be broad and appealing to all attendees.

Synopsis Guidelines

The synopsis of your masterclass is your elevator pitch. It’s your chance to grab the audience’s attention prior to the session. Whether you’re solving a problem or discussing the latest trends, make sure the synopsis is short (200 characters or fewer) and engaging, and that it addresses the topic. 

• Keep your target audience in mind. 

• Don’t include too much detail, and remember: less is more.

• To maximise your masterclass’s exposure in the lead up to the event, please submit your title, synopsis and host details on the form provided by the deadline of October 13th. 

• All content is subject to approval.

Please advise your masterclass host to complete their app profile as far in advance of the event as possible, as this will feature in the schedule.

If you wish to collect the details of everyone who attends your masterclass, it is recommended that at least two of your team members use their Web Summit app to scan attendee’s QR codes as they enter the masterclass room. Once an attendee’s QR code is scanned, a request will appear in the attendee’s app to approve the scan. Only if this is accepted will the attendee’s information appear in the ‘My connections’ section of the app.

Alternatively, a separate lead generation scanning device can be purchased from our event partner, Zuant.

What is the masterclass room setup, and can I change it?

As standard, masterclasses are theatre style layout, with AV and furniture supplied. You cannot change the room layout due to the time required for this and also as it decreases the capacity of the room. 

Can I film my masterclass ? 

Filming is restricted to handheld devices. The use of tripods and other intrusive equipment is prohibited. More information on our camera guidelines can be found here.

Can I add a host, or change the host, on a masterclass session?

Please contact your Partner Success Manager with the details of the change. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Do you provide the laptop and all cables for the presentation?

A HDMI cable will be provided. Please bring your own laptop. Details of what is included in your masterclass can be found above.

Do I need to submit the masterclass presentation in advance?

Only the title and synopsis of your masterclass will need to be submitted in advance. The deadline for this is October 13th.

When can we access the masterclass room to view and set up?

You will have access to your masterclass room 15 minutes before your allocated time slot.

Can I bring my own branding and swag into the room? Can I give gifts to attendees?

Yes, but we ask that you bring no single-use plastic. At Web Summit, we are committed to following the UN sustainable development goals. You can see examples of sustainable branding and swag here.

What are the main content themes at Web Summit?

The main content themes for Web Summit can be found here.

How are the masterclasses promoted?

A dedicated landing page is created on the Web Summit website. This features the partner logos and masterclass content open to all attendees. In addition, masterclasses are promoted in newsletters sent to all attendees.