The Next Web

Entrepreneur, Startup or all round Web Geek? Here’s a list of top conferences you should be attending.

Picture 16When I first took steps into this industry, conferences, networking, panels and speeches were something which I knew I would have to get involved with. If I’m honest, its not an area I particularly enjoy but it comes with the territory – much like celebrities and the paparazzi I suppose :P .

Anyhow, I dug and dug and couldn’t find a decent list of tech events that I should be making an effort to attend – so I decided to create one myself – and now I’m sharing it with you. I have undoubtedly missed a couple of important ones, please let me know what they are in the comments. I’d particularly like to add a couple of Asia, Australasia and Africa events, so if you can share the best of conferences from those regions that would be much appreciated.

I’m afraid I’ll have to be relatively strict with the ones I include to avoid this list getting too bloated but feel free to pitch your conference in the comments section if you so wish.

This list is more or less in chronological order starting with January. Some events have a number of dates throughout the year, I have decided not to duplicate them. Your best bet is to open the links to each event to check what date the next event will be. I think I don’t have to mention that The Next Web Conference 2010 is a must attend for each of you.

DLD – Munich – Jan 25
World Economic Forum – Davos – Jan 27
MacWorld – San Francisco – Feb 9 – 13
Webstock – New Zealand – Feb 15
LIFT10 – Geneva – May 5-7
Future of Web Apps Dublin – Mar 6
O’Reilly’s Emerging Tech Conference – March 9
Plugg – Brussels – Mar 12
SXSW – Mar 13-17
Ad Age Digital Marketing – Mar 18-19
Web 2.0 Expo SF – Mar 31
Web 09 – New Zealand – Apr 17-18
www 2009 Madrid – Madrid – Apr 20-24
Geek n’ Rolla – London – April 21
The Next Web Conference – Amsterdam – April 27-29 2010
The D Conference – California – May 26
Google I/O – San Francisco – May 28
WWDC – San Francisco – June 8
Being Digital – London – 9th June
FutureProof – Dublin – 18 June
Reboot – Copenhagen – June 25
Europas – July 9 – London
Twiistup – Los Angeles – July 30
140 Twitter Conf – Twtrcon SF 09
Gnomedex Seattle – August 20 – 22
DConstruct – Brighton – September 04
Techcrunch 50 – San Francisco – September 14
DEMO – California – September 21
Future of Web Apps – London – September 30
Web 2.0 Summit SF – October 2009
Shift09 – Lisbon – 16 October
internetsummit – Raleigh, NC USA – November 4
Defrag – Denver – Nov 11- 12 2009 -
Business of Software – San Francisco – November 9-11
Web 2.0 Expo NY – November 17 -
Le Web 09 – Paris – Dec 9 2009


  • Peter
    You forgot http://www.businessofsoftware.org/ - November 9th to 11th.

    It's organized by Joel Spolsky and speakers include:
    Geoffrey Moore
    Don Norman
    Paul Graham
  • Thanks, added.
  • Kathy Sierra
    Awesome list, though I'd add Webstock (New Zealand) to it.

    But I'd also add some domain variety if I was recommending conferences for tech/web folks to attend. Game Developer Conference (GDC), for example, and SIGGRAPH. Maybe something in education. GDC is pricey and while 90% of it is focused specifically on tech issues that do *not* apply to those not doing, say, real-time 3D rendering, the remaining 10% of the topics are worth the price (IMHO). And there's a lot to be gained simply from being at an event where absolutely everything there is geared toward entertainment, excitement, getting users engaged, challenged... hooked.

    And SIGGRAPH, well, it cannot match SXSW for parties, but it DOES compete with south-by for inspiration and ideas and--most importantly--what you see at SIGGRAPH is The Future.
  • DanSimerman
    And personal democracy forum which is happening right now. Vivek kundra just announces the it infrastructure dashboard for funding information. This is where tech and politics and Startups meet.
  • What about the PASS Summit?

    http://www.sqlpass.org/Events/PASSCommunitySumm...

    Nov 2 - 5th Seattle WA, USA

    Since 1999, PASS has held an annual conference to bring together SQL Server professionals for deep-dive technical learning, hands-on labs, and the best networking in the community. Now, with events in both the US and in Europe, the annual PASS conferences are recognized as the must-attend SQL Server events of the year.
  • That's a great list, Zee. Have you ever run across an event focused on the future of news media? Cheers.
  • There's also http://www.frontenddesignconference.com/ coming up soon.
  • I would also say that you have missed both Reboot in copenhagen in june and shift conference in Lisbon in october
  • Thanks for the list Zee. I was looking for something like this for 2010.
  • I'm very disappointed to not see eComm listed. There isn't an innovator in the communications space who shouldn't be at this event. The first European conference is coming to Amsterdam in October (http://europe.ecomm.ec/2009/) with eComm 2010 in San Francisco next March.

    I know I'm biased having just stepped in as eComm Director of Conversations & Marketing, but it's one of the hottest places to be for real doers. It is NOT a place for also-rans at all.
  • For the people interested in the Spanish and Latin America markets and if your are curious to have a look at the technology sector.

    I recommend http://www.laredinnova.com, which took place on the 17 and 18 of June in Madrid-Spain.

    The networking was great and you cannot beat a party in the Real Madrid Stadium.
  • peter
    Another very interesting event for creative entrepreneurs and start ups is PICNIC in Amsterdam.. Last Friday they organized the first PICNIC event in NY.

    It's an event about media, technology, entertainment, art and science.

    See www.picnicnetwork.org
  • Thanks Zee for the list. How about http://www.internetsummit.com/
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