From Beach Bliss to Metro Mayhem: Hendrik's Journey Through Web Summit 2024

Every great adventure begins with a moment of calm before the storm. For me, that calm was a sunlit beach in Ericeira, the day before Web Summit 2024 kicked off. Waves, blue sky, our beloved dog by my side, and the quiet realization that I was about to step into one of the most intense, inspiring days of the year.

A huge thank you to Warsaw Dynamics for making this opportunity possible - I wouldn’t have been here without them.

The Excitement Builds: Day 1 - Bright-Eyed and Ready to Dive In

The first morning was electric. The sheer scale of Web Summit hit me as I entered the venue - thousands of like-minded people buzzing with ideas and possibilities. It was the kind of energy that makes you stand a little taller, walk a little faster, and grin at strangers for no apparent reason.

The morning flew by in a blur of introductions, handshakes, and coffee-fueled chats.

But it wasn’t until the afternoon sessions that the magic really began.

• Accio, Alibaba’s AI assistant, caught my attention immediately. Kuo Zhang painted a future where AI is no longer just a tool but a seamless extension of ourselves. It was like imagining a world where tech doesn’t interrupt life but flows alongside it.

• Then came Joey Camire with his provocative talk, “You Can’t Sell Thirsty.” He didn’t pull punches, calling out brands that play it too safe. His message about building authentic, strategic brands stuck with me. It’s not about grabbing attention in the moment - it’s about creating something that lasts.

By the end of the day, my head was spinning. Ideas, faces, and voices swirled together as I reflected on how much I’d already learned. The future felt so full of possibilities.

The Plot Thickens: Day 2 - Highs, Lows, and the Unexpected

Day two started off like a dream. A crisp morning in Lisbon, a coffee in hand, and a packed agenda ahead. I was ready to soak up knowledge like a sponge.

The sessions were incredible. Highlights included:

• A fascinating discussion on AI and workforce transformation, where one speaker shared how Salesforce had hired 1,000 human agents to sell their AI agents. It was the perfect example of humans and machines complementing each other.

• Insights into Elon Musk’s influence, from his controversial leadership at X to his unexpected sway over the crypto market with Dogecoin.

But then came the afternoon, and the challenges started piling up.

Somewhere between trying to find lunch and running to the Digital Marketers Meetup, I hit a wall - figuratively, thankfully. Overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event, my energy began to wane. Networking felt harder, the crowds seemed bigger, and the coffee line was way too long. For a brief moment, I wondered if I’d overcommitted.

And then, as if the universe heard me, I found myself at the German booth, where they had real coffee. That tiny act of self-care (and caffeine) was all I needed to reset.

The day ended with a renewed sense of focus and inspiration. Sometimes, the small wins keep you going.

The Tragicomedy: Day 3 - Rain, Strikes, and Resilience

The final day started with chaos. A metro strike turned my normally quick commute into a logistical nightmare. Rain clouds rolled in, and I found myself standing in a taxi line, late for the morning sessions. It felt like a comedy of errors, with me as the protagonist of some poorly scripted sitcom.

But here’s the thing about challenges: they often lead to unexpected opportunities. I struck up a conversation with someone in the taxi line, and by the time we both arrived (fashionably late), I’d made a valuable new connection.

The Grand Finale: Inspiring Sessions and a Bright Outlook

Despite the rocky start, day three delivered some of the most impactful sessions yet:

• Thomas Plantenga, CEO of Vinted, shared how focusing on the “boring stuff” like logistics has made them a €5B powerhouse. His advice? Don’t chase trends—master the fundamentals and efficiency will always win.

• Revolut’s story of pivoting during the pandemic was a masterclass in resilience. With 1M+ new users weekly, their “execution over strategy” approach is redefining growth.

• Mushrooms saving the planet? Yes, please. Mosas Pilscheur’s work with Mycrobez showed how mycelium innovation could reinvent plastic recycling, proving sustainability can also be groundbreaking.

By the time the final keynote wrapped up, I felt something I hadn’t expected: a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the lessons, the people, and even the setbacks that had made this week unforgettable.

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

As I left the venue, rain tapping lightly on my shirt, I couldn’t help but smile. Web Summit 2024 wasn’t just about tech, innovation, or branding - it was about resilience, connection, and the incredible power of showing up, even when things don’t go perfectly.

The future feels bright, not just because of the technology we’re building but because of the people driving it forward. And that’s why I feel so proud to work with Warsaw Dynamics that reflects those values so well - bringing people together, using technology to unlock new dimensions of collaboration, and empowering us to think beyond limits.

As I look ahead, I’m excited to take the lessons from this week and channel them into meaningful action. The ideas we’ve shared, the connections we’ve made, and the bold visions we’ve explored - these are the sparks that will fuel our next innovations.

Until next year, Web Summit. You’ve left me inspired, humbled, and more ready than ever to tackle what’s next. Did somebody say Atlassian Team 25 in California? 😉