You do not need a ticket to get value from it. Here is what we will be watching, and why it matters to people who make a living online.

1. AI moving from demos to daily work

For the past few years, AI talks have been full of impressive demos. The more interesting question now is what businesses are actually using every day. Listen for concrete examples: customer support, content production, data analysis, sales follow-up. Those are the use cases that eventually reach small businesses through cheaper tools.

2. Payments and cross-border commerce

Fintech always has a strong presence at Web Summit. For anyone selling digital products to other countries, watch for news about instant payments, multi-currency accounts and lower fees for international sales. Small changes here can make a real difference in margins.

3. The creator economy as an industry

Creators are no longer a side topic. Expect sessions on monetization, platform dependence and how creators are building their own businesses with courses, templates, memberships and communities.

4. Regulation

Europe tends to lead on technology regulation, especially around AI and data privacy. Rules discussed in Lisbon often influence how global platforms behave everywhere else, including in Latin America.

5. The startup pitch competition

The pitch stage is a quick way to spot trends. When several startups attack the same problem in the same year, that problem is probably about to get cheaper to solve.

How we will cover it

We will publish a recap after the event with the announcements that matter for creators and online businesses, without the hype. If you want it in your inbox, use the subscribe form on the sidebar.

Here are the dates that matter in the first half of 2027, along with what each event is actually useful for if you build, sell or create online.

CES 2027 — January 6–9, Las Vegas

CES is where consumer technology sets the tone for the year. Expect televisions, laptops, smart home devices, cars full of software and, increasingly, AI features baked into everyday products. It is a trade event, not open to the general public, but the coverage is enormous.

Why follow it: if you create content about gadgets, home office setups or consumer tech, CES week gives you a month of topics.

Web Summit Qatar — January 31 to February 3, Doha

The Middle East edition of Web Summit focuses on startups and investors. It is a good signal of where venture money is moving outside the US and Europe.

MWC Barcelona — March 1–4, Barcelona

Mobile World Congress is the main meeting point for the mobile and connectivity industry. Phones get the headlines, but the real story is networks, satellite connectivity and how AI is being pushed into telecom infrastructure.

Why follow it: most of your customers buy from their phones. What happens at MWC eventually changes how people browse and pay.

SXSW — March 13–21, Austin

SXSW EDU opens the program from March 13 to 16, and the main SXSW Conferences & Festivals run from March 15 to 21. It mixes technology, film, music and culture, and the 2027 edition adds a dedicated podcast festival.

Why follow it: SXSW is one of the best places to see where media, marketing and the creator economy are heading.

Web Summit Vancouver — May 25–28, Vancouver

The North American edition, which replaced the former Collision conference, brings together founders, investors and large tech companies.

Web Summit Rio — June 14–17, Rio de Janeiro

For anyone selling to Latin America, this is the one to watch. Web Summit Rio has become the region’s largest tech gathering, held at Riocentro, with tracks on AI, fintech, marketing, commerce and the creator economy.

Why follow it: it shows which tools, payment methods and business models are gaining traction in Latin American markets.

How to follow events without attending

• Watch the official live streams and keynote recordings, usually posted within days.
• Follow the event hashtag on the platforms you already use.
• Read the recap articles from two or three reliable tech outlets instead of ten.
• Write down one idea per event that you can apply to your own business.

We will publish previews and recaps of these events here on Online Growth Picks throughout the year. Dates come from the organizers’ announcements and can change, so always confirm on the official site before booking travel.