The alternative numbers behind Web Summit 2022

The latest edition of our Web Summit event generated some interesting data about how attendees networked and enjoyed an event bringing together people from across the globe.

Web Summit 2022 attracted 71,000-plus tech enthusiasts from 160 countries. But what about some of the other figures behind the major tech event, such as how many connections were made and cups of coffee consumed? Here are some of the alternative numbers behind it.

Average number of steps taken by staff per day – 27,586

Our staff works tirelessly to make Web Summit the fantastic event that attendees enjoy every year. A major part of this is trekking the length and breadth of the Altice Arena and the five halls containing our stages and exhibition booths. Our staff averaged a whopping 27,586 steps each day of the three-day event, liaising with speakers and event partners, taking notes, and managing stage content.

Attendees arriving at Web Summit. Image: Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Total number of connections accepted on the event app – 561,330

Our event mobile app brings tech enthusiasts together, spanning companies, industries and regions. We use purpose-designed algorithms to match attendees with like-minded people and facilitate intuitive in-app messaging. Because of this, our attendees connected with each other 561,330 times on the app, contacts which they can keep up with long after the event is over.

Attendees connecting on the event app at Web Summit. Image: Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Total number of in-app messages sent – 927,000

Feeding into those in-app connections are messages sent between attendees, speakers, startups and tech companies requesting meetings, generating leads and just saying hello. Our tech community sent a combined total of 927,000 messages across the three days of Web Summit 2022, showing how open our attendees are to connecting over all things tech.

Attendee about to send a message on the app. Image: Diarmuid Greene/Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Most common names – Pedro Costa x 10, Maria Silva x 8

Of the 160 countries that attended Web Summit, the largest number of attendees were from Portugal, our host country. We found that the most common man’s name was Pedro Costa (there were 10 of them at Web Summit), while the most common woman’s name was Maria Silva (there were eight of them).

Entrance to Web Summit. Image: Lukas Schulze/Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Number of Happy Hours hosted at once – 38

Our event partners represent the world’s most forward-thinking government organisations, the biggest tech conglomerates, and the most innovative tech communities – and they are all eager to meet our global attendee network. To help people build connections, these event partners hosted up to 38 different Happy Hour drinks sessions at once at Web Summit.

Attendee enjoying Happy Hour at Web Summit. Image: Cody Glenn/Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Number of food trucks – 83

From traditional Portuguese bifana sandwiches to Thai food, tapas and sweet treats, there was something for every palate at Web Summit 2022. Food trucks from 83 different hospitality providers served up thousands of dishes and drinks to eager attendees, giving them the energy needed to network, learn and fully enjoy the event experience.

Food truck at Web Summit. Image: Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Number of cups of Delta coffee consumed – 300,000

Some say the world runs on coffee. Web Summit does anyway – across the three-day event, our attendees buzzed on 300,000+ cups of coffee provided by our event partner, Delta. The Portuguese coffee roasters have been operating since 1961, and their dozens of coffee machines across the event floor were a welcome sight for caffeine-starved attendees.

Delta coffee dispenser machine at Web Summit. Image: Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Number of stands – 713

Web Summit spans the Altice Arena and five exhibition halls. That’s a lot of room to bring expert speakers and topics to eager audiences, and for our event partners to share their story with the world. In total, there were 713 stands at the conference, including several double-story exhibition booths and 17 stages for our talks and roundtable discussions.

Attendee taking part in a VR experience at a partner exhibition stand at Web Summit 2022. Image: Ramsey Cardy/Web Summit (CC BY 2.0)

Number of people involved in the build – 11,000

As mentioned earlier, there are thousands of people involved in building, managing and disassembling an event of this scale. From our Portuguese contractors connecting WiFi routers and building stages to staff at the Altice Arena managing security and cleaning through to our own Web Summit employees, it takes 11,000 people to make Web Summit happen.

Overhead view of the Altice Arena and exhibition halls. Image: Ingus Kruklitis/Shutterstock

Number of times the cable car passed the Altice Arena – 1,620

The cable car running parallel to the Tagus river behind the Altice Arena is an iconic skyline sight for Web Summit attendees. Over the three days of the tech event, the cable car actually passes the Altice Arena a total of 1,620 times – or one cable car every 40 seconds.

Cable cars passing the Altice Arena and exhibition halls. Image: M-Production/Shutterstock

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Main image of Web Summit infographic: Web Summit