Web Summit looks at new homes ... this time with sun and decent Wi-Fi

Web Summit – one of Europe’s biggest tech events, attracting more than 20,000 visitors – is on the lookout for a new home.

Founded in Ireland by Paddy Cosgrave, the event, which has grown massively in recent years, has always been held in Dublin. But problems in accommodating its size have led organisers to consider other options. They will make a decision next month.

Embarrassing Wi-Fi problems have dogged the summit for the past two years, leading Cosgrave to threaten to move the event from the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) if the provider was not changed.

However, the RDS grounds are the largest of their type in Ireland, meaning that finding the summit a new home within the country could be difficult. But Cosgrave said he has no problem looking for a venue elsewhere in Europe.

One city that considers itself a front-runner for the event is Lisbon. Portuguese economy minister, Leonardo Mathias told national daily, Publico, that talks on the matter had been ongoing since March.

“It is not news that we are exploring all our options for the location for Web Summit in 2016, including remaining in Dublin, but no decision has been taken,” an event spokesman told the Irish Independent.

However, Dublin hoteliers may already have killed the goose that laid the golden eggs, with attendees last year complaining that hotels had cynically raising prices by up to 500 per cent for the days of the summit.

Other bids from Europe, from venues including the Netherlands, France and the UK, are also understood to have been made. This year, the Web Summit team will also hold events in Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Belfast. ®