The ninth annual Web Summit has kicked off today in Lisbon. It is the third time that the technology conference, which will run until November 8th at the Altice Arena, has been held in the Portuguese capital
The conference brings together high-ranking executives from leading companies, founders of growing startups, influential investors and plenty of international journalists.
Microsoft President Brad Smith, Tinder Founder Sean Rad and eharmony CEO Greg Langston will be speaking during the week.
Last year there were just under 60,000 people in attendance, the highest ever, and the organisers are hoping to increase on the turnout again in 2018.
They said in a statement: “This year, we hope it will be the biggest and best Web Summit of all time. We are excited – and expect to receive over 70,000 participants from 170 countries.”
“[There will be] 25 different conferences in one only summit to discuss realities relating to technology, in areas like the environment, sport, fashion and politics.”
Ecosia, a search engine that is dedicated to supporting global conservation efforts, has pledged to plant one tree in Senegal for every person who attends the conference.
For those who weren’t able to get tickets, the opening ceremony will be broadcast live on the Web Summit website at 18:30 WET.
Tickets for the 2019 conference, which will be held in Lisbon again, are already available for pre-register.
Visit the Web Summit website here.