Your guide to content and the event venue at Web Summit Rio

To help you prepare for Web Summit Rio in May, here’s a guide to the Riocentro venue, onstage talks, content sessions, and other activities you can take part in during the event.

Web Summit Rio will soon take over beautiful Rio de Janeiro, with 100-plus hours of talks, masterclasses and networking sessions for attendees from all over the world to enjoy.

The three-day event gives attendees the chance to mix with tech giants, leading entrepreneurs and cultural icons, and to learn from the people at the forefront of the tech industry and of society at large.

Want to have the best experience possible? Here’s everything you need to know about enjoying our content.

When and where is Web Summit Rio?

Web Summit Rio takes place from May 1-4, 2023, at Riocentro in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Navigating the event venue

What time does Web Summit Rio start and finish?

The start and finish times on each of our stages will vary, but you can plan to be onsite at Web Summit Rio from 9.30am to 6pm (BRT) each event day from May 2-4, 2023.

Explore our sessions to work out what each event day looks like for you, and remember – we’re adding more to the schedule each day.

Is there a map of the venue?

A full map of the venue is available at this link and in the Web Summit Rio mobile app.

Will wifi be available at Web Summit Rio?

Official event wifi will be freely available throughout the venue.

Please do not use personal hotspots, as they will interfere with onsite open network connectivity.

What is Opening Night?

Opening Night is our official opening ceremony, taking place on May 1. Doors open at 4pm, and the ceremony will run until 8pm. Capacity is limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Opening Night ceremony will feature Black Lives Matter co-founder Ayọ Tometi, Nubank founder and CEO David Vélez, Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Eduardo Paes, and more. To find out more about what’s happening on Opening Night, check out our schedule.

How do I get into Opening Night?

The Riocentro doors open at 4pm. Seats for Opening Night will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Capacity is limited, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

You must be registered, and have collected your wristband and lanyard, to enter the venue on Opening Night.

Ensure you arrive in plenty of time to register at Riocentro’s Pavilhão das Artes (Arts Pavilion). Registration is open from 2pm to 8pm on Monday May 1.

Please note: Security checks are mandatory when entering Riocentro, so you should allow additional time for this.

Where can I go after Opening Night?

Opening Night ends at 8pm. After that, you can stay on at Riocentro to enjoy Night Summit until around 10pm. For more information about Night Summit, check out our website.

Once Night Summit draws to a close, you can head to Olegário Maciel for some more drinks, and to get to know your fellow attendees. Buses will be provided for those travelling to Olegário Maciel from Riocentro, but please note: ​​we will not offer refunds to attendees who leave cars in the Riocentro car park.

How do volunteers attend Opening Night?

Volunteers are unable to attend the Opening Night ceremony for Web Summit Rio unless they are deployed to work at it.

What security checks will be carried out?

The safety and security of attendees at Web Summit Rio is our primary concern. Security checks will be mandatory when entering the venue. Certain items – such as drones, laser pens, and anything that can be considered as a weapon – are strictly prohibited at the event. Review the full list of the prohibited items.

Can I bring a bag to Web Summit Rio?

You may bring a small personal item (handbag, laptop bag or backpack) into the venue, but anything larger will not be permitted. Attendees should not bring luggage or other large bags to Riocentro.

Do you have an accessibility policy?

You can read our accessibility policy here.

Do you have an anti-harassment policy?

Web Summit Rio is dedicated to providing an enjoyable, respectful and safe event experience for everyone. Read our anti-harassment policy.

What kind of Covid-19 measures are being put in place ahead of Web Summit?

While we plan ahead for Web Summit Rio, we are working to ensure we deliver the safest event for our attendees. We will be strictly adhering to the city of Rio de Janeiro’s guidelines and the official advice of the Brazilian health regulatory agency, Anvisa.

If you’re flying from outside of Brazil, please check out the latest travel requirements for entering Rio before you travel.

Will masks be mandatory?

Within current government guidelines, masks and vaccine certificates will not be required to enter Web Summit Rio, and social distancing will not be enforced.

Will food be available onsite?

You can find a range of food and beverage options at Web Summit Rio, with fixed concessions, food trucks and vendors across the Riocentro event venue, as well as grab-and-go food and drinks.

Our general attendee catering area is divided into five distinct sections, representing different districts of Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana, Lapa, Barra da Tijuca, Centro and Madureira. These areas are located around the ‘garden’ area at the center of the venue, outside the pavilions.

We have tried to ensure that there are suitable options available to all attendees, and have worked with the catering suppliers to accommodate a range of dietary requirements, including supplying vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free foods.

All catering suppliers, and external food and beverage suppliers, will adhere to strict Brazilian government health and safety guidelines.

Can I bring my own food to Web Summit Rio?

You can bring your own food into the event.

I have special dietary requirements. Will this be catered for?

We have tried to ensure that there are suitable options available to all attendees, and have worked with the catering suppliers to accommodate a range of dietary requirements, including supplying vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free foods.

Will the food vendors accept cashless payment?

Cashless payments will be accepted across the Riocentro event venue.

Will I be able to purchase beverages onsite?

Attendees can purchase a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from onsite vendors.

Can I bring my own water bottle?

You can bring your own water bottle. These can be refilled at water fountains available throughout the venue.

Experiencing Web Summit Rio content

What topics will be explored at Web Summit Rio?

We have multiple content tracks exploring every industry affected by tech, from AI to health to sustainability. For more details, explore what’s happening on all of our content tracks.

How can I find the talks that interest me?

The schedule tab at the bottom of the home screen of our event mobile app is your first stop. Here, you can scroll through all of Web Summit Rio’s talks, masterclasses, Q&As and speaker experiences. You can also filter sessions by track, curated content or personalized recommendations.

Alternatively, tapping on ‘Explore’ and then ‘Sessions’ allows you to quickly find content – either by filtering by date, topic, track and format, or through the search function at the top of the screen.

To discover the talks we recommend for you based on the interests listed on your event profile, just tap on ‘Schedule’ then ‘Recommended’.

What are masterclasses and roundtables, and how can I participate?

Web Summit Rio’s masterclasses and roundtable discussions gather industry specialists and business leaders to share insights and expertise on a variety of global issues.

Roundtables are 45-minute sessions on the hottest topics in tech, led by an expert panel. This is your chance to join industry leaders for insightful, intimate discussions.

Explore the roundtables at Web Summit Rio.

Masterclasses are 30-minute meetings encouraging dialogue between attendees and the host. Sessions address a focused topic and are followed by a Q&A led by the masterclass host. These are a great way to generate expert insights and gain new skills.

Explore the masterclasses at Web Summit Rio.

You must have a Web Summit Rio ticket in order to participate in or attend roundtables or masterclasses. Places are limited and are allocated onsite on a first come first served basis. Make sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

What are Q&As?

Q&A sessions are your chance to directly interact with our amazing speakers. You lead the discussion, ask the burning questions, and soak up all the wisdom our experts have to offer.

Whether it’s a candid conversation on the topics relevant to your industry or a hands-on and exclusive experience showcasing new products and tech, the Q&A stage is where we break the fourth wall and bring the talk to you.

Is there a translation service available?

Live voice translations will be available – from English to Portuguese, and from Portuguese to English – on all Center Stage content throughout the event’s duration. There will be no translation service available on any other stages.

To use this translation service, tap on the hamburger icon in the top left of the Web Summit Rio mobile app screen, then tap on LiveVoice in the menu. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the third-party LiveVoice app and to access our content.

Is there a closed captioning service available?

Closed captions are available for content on Center Stage only. Captions for this stage can be viewed on the Web Summit Rio event apps. Captions are provided in English only.

Enjoying Web Summit Rio outside event hours

What is Night Summit?

Night Summit is the official Web Summit Rio after-hours get-together, taking place on three evenings during the event and offering attendees the chance to network while experiencing the best of Rio de Janeiro’s night life.

These parties take place in venues across the city, including Rio Scenarium and the Jockey Club’s Rock Bar.

How do I get into Night Summit?

Attendees must display their event accreditation (wristband and lanyard) at each venue to access Night Summit.

Entrance to Night Summit is on a first come first served basis and access is not guaranteed, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Make sure that you download the event mobile app before May 1, 2023. The more prepared you are, the better your Web Summit Rio experience will be – and the less you’ll miss!

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