Our team returned from The Next Web conference in Amsterdam, and we’ve got some thoughts to share. Here’s what the Lerpal TNW team lead noticed during three days of panels, networking, and yes, complaining about water fountains.
The Good, The Organized, and The Hydration Challenges
Let’s start with the obvious: TNW’s organization was solid. Unlike some conferences where booking meetings are unavailable, everything flowed smoothly at TNW, and saved us plenty of time for snack breaks. Well, almost everything. Some of us have strong opinions about the water situation (two refill stations for thousands of attendees when it’s 31°C outside? Come on, TNW).
But here’s what really caught our attention: the conference felt different from the mega-events in Paris or Lisbon. More focused, more intentional. When you’re not overwhelmed by the sheer scale, you actually have time to process what you’re learning.
AI Gets Real (Finally)
The AI conversation has evolved, and we are here for it. Remember when every other presentation was about AI replacing humans? Those days seem behind us. Instead, we heard practical stories about AI as a productivity tool, not a job-stealing monster. Companies and startups are sharing real implementations now.
How AI helps automate specific processes.
How it makes good professionals even better at their jobs.
It’s the difference between sci-fi speculation and actual business value.
The shift from “AI will take your job” to “AI will help you do your job better” is a sign that the industry is maturing, or at least the people working with it are forming a more mature attitude based on experience.
The Surprising MediaTech Gap
Here’s something unexpected: where were all the media companies? Apart from Axel Springer’s representatives, traditional media was notably absent. This feels significant when you consider how much the media landscape has changed.
Maybe it’s because short-form content and social media have shifted the game so dramatically. When a few seconds of video can capture more attention than a thoughtful article, traditional media is still figuring out how to respond. The absence was telling.
The Human Element Still Wins
Despite all the tech talk, our favorite moments were decidedly human. Interactive panels with live QR code polling made sessions feel participatory rather than passive. Random encounters that turned into planned meetings. Conversations that started over coffee line complaints and ended with genuine business connections.
The mix of industries and professional levels created something special – a homestyle atmosphere where everyone felt approachable. No matter if you were a startup founder or a corporate executive, the conversations flowed naturally.
What We’re Taking Away
Conferences like TNW work best when they’re not trying to be everything to everyone. The focused approach, the mix of practical insights and genuine networking opportunities, the absence of pure hype – it all adds up to something valuable.
Our biggest takeaway? Sometimes the most productive conferences aren’t the biggest ones. They’re the ones where you have space to think, time to connect, and enough water fountains to keep everyone happy.
