Every year it’s a challenge to fit everything in that I would like to do. Personally and professionally there’s just so much awesome stuff out there that it’s frustrating not to be able to go to it all, be that concerts, theatre performances, conferences, meetups or events.
But being realistic two or maybe three conferences a year is enough for me right now and as we head into 2026 I’ve identifed the 2 I wont miss no matter what, and the 1 I’d like to try for the first time if I can make it all work.
The two non negotiables are
London Tech Week, taking place in June https://londontechweek.com/
Didn’t enjoy this much the first year I went but the team made some great changes and put on a super event last year. I’m fully onboard with making this a key feature of my year.
Web Summit (Lisbon), taking place in November https://websummit.com/
I’ve been to this event, or on the fringe of it, pretty much every year since it moved to Lisbon in 2016. It’s overwhelmingly awesomely immense, but never fails to catalyse me into new thinking. Some of the keynotes have been game changing for me.
The one I’d like to make happen this year is SIM, taking plcae in May https://simconf.com/
Entering it’s third edition this year, it feels like this conference is really taking off and bringing things together that I personally would like to connect with and things that are important for our work at Canopy. Going to make every effot to go along this year and see what value I can add as well as what I can come away with.
And of course, there’s always another one on the horizon. The Algarve Tech Summit (https://algarvesummit.com/) normally in late October/early November just ahead of web summit has been a truly wonderful experience each time I have been before. I have spoken on panels at this one and gotten involved in various tracks. It may not be the biggest of the conferences (circa 450 people) I would go to but the content is great, the organisers are lovely people and everything is very accessible and by that I mean you get to talk to folks in a meaningful way.
Happy to hear about other conferences that I shouldn’t miss including any where I can get involved as a panelist or speaker. Add some comments or DM me with info.