In short
Web Summit is a fast, crowded technology conference, where most exhibitors are start-ups on small standard pods, often for a single day. A booth here is a pitch: one sentence people can read as they walk past, one live demo, and a founder ready to talk to investors. Start a custom booth about 2–3 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Lisbon, annual in Lisbon, usually in November.
- The audience is mostly founders.
- A one-line pitch readable from the aisle.
- A live demo on a tablet or laptop.
- Plan a custom booth about 2–3 months before the show.
Web Summit for exhibitors
Start-ups exhibit on rotating days in small pods, while larger companies take partner stands. Visitors are moving quickly between talks, and many conversations are about funding or partnership rather than a sale.
| Web Summit | |
|---|---|
| City | Lisbon |
| Venue | MEO Arena and FIL in Parque das Nações |
| Sector | Technology and start-ups |
| Cycle | Annual in Lisbon, usually in November |
| Main stand activity | Demonstrations |
| Custom stand lead time | 2–3 months |
Who you are designing for
Founders, investors, technology executives, press and developers from around the world.
What matters most on a Web Summit booth:
- A one-line pitch readable from the aisle.
- A live demo on a tablet or laptop.
- A founder or senior person on the stand.
- A fast way to capture contacts.
Layouts for demonstrations, by stand type
Most Web Summit exhibitors build around demonstrations. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | One demo point at the front edge with a screen behind it and a counter to one side; visitors watch from the aisle and step in. |
| Island | 4 | A hero product or small stage at the centre, demo pods on each face, and a closed core for storage and a meeting room. |
Stand ideas for Web Summit
- A single large line of text in place of a logo.
- A QR code to a working demo.
- A rota so that someone is available for investor meetings.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Small pods are generally supplied by the organiser, so your job is mostly graphics. Check your pod's size and your day, and plan a light carry-on kit.
Allow about 2–3 months for a custom booth. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at Web Summit
Spend on travel and the pitch, not on kit. A strong one-line message costs nothing and does most of the work.
Mistakes we see at Web Summit
- Explaining your company in a paragraph.
- Printing heavy kit for a one-day pod.
An example Web Summit brief
A standard start-up pod with one line of large type, a tablet demo and a QR code to a working trial, carried in hand luggage.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your Web Summit layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about demonstrations into an editable 3D booth for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01Where is Web Summit held?
In Lisbon, at the arena and FIL exhibition halls in Parque das Nações. Check the organiser's site for dates.
02What should a start-up bring?
A light graphic, a working demo and business contact tools. See [2 × 2 m booth design](/guides/2x2-booth-design).
03How early should I start designing a Web Summit booth?
For a custom booth, about 2–3 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme booths can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my Web Summit booth at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, demonstrations area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
