Sofia, Bulgaria — The WEBIT Festival Europe 2018 is on in Sofia from 25-27 June 2018 at the Arena Armeec. This is the largest technology event of the year and one of the most important annual events for the technology sector in Bulgaria. The theme this year is re:Inventing Europe’s Future, highlighting the conference goal of bringing together the policy makers, industry leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs creating Europe’s digital future. Coinciding with the Bulgarian EU Presidency, the WEBIT Festival Europe 2018 is the flagship event of the EU Digital and Innovation Week taking place in Sofia 25-29 June.
The conference program includes seminars and summits for industry professionals, policy makers and investors. The trade expo gathers together industry participants, vendors, and start up companies eager to share their news, products and opportunities. Special events including an awards dinner and social events throughout the festival.
Registration and Venue Details
Arena Armeec is the main venue for the Webit Festival Europe 2018, with activities and special events scattered in other venues around town.
Registration for the WEBIT Festival Europe 2018
Webit Festival Europe 2018 offers three different levels of event registration. Pro and Investor Registrations includes access to the conference streams, summit meetings, trade expo, start up village, networking zones, founders games pitches, and the Webit Night Urban Summit, Official Webit Party and the Digital Entertainment Party. Platinum Registration includes all of the above plus access to the Speakers/Platinum Lounge throughout the event and special events including the Chairman’s and Speakers Dinners, the CEOs and Leaders Lunches, and an Official Reception by Commissioner Gabriel and Mayor Fandakova (Invitations Only).
Tickets are available online.
The Venue: Arena Armeec
1, Asen Yordanov Boulevard
1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Latitude:Â 42.671465
Longitude:Â 23.369395
Getting There:
The Arena is located just a few minutes east of downtown Sofia at the 4th kilometer exit off the Tsarigradsko Shosse. Transport by car or taxi from the airport takes about 15 minutes.
There is a bus stop opposite the Arena Armeec on Asen Yordanov Boulevard served by public buses 1 and 6. Trolley buses 4 and 11 also serve this stop.
Other public transportation lines serving the vicinity of the arena include bus routes 84, 280, and 305, and trolley buses 5 and 8.
Please refer to the map below for the precise location of the arena.
Webit Festival Europe 2018 is produced by the Webit Foundation under the patronage of the Republic of Bulgaria, the City of Sofia, and the Bulgarian EU Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
WEBIT Festival Europe 2018 Program
The WEBIT Festival Europe, re:Inventing Europe’s Future takes place from 25-27 June 2018 at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Day 1: 25 June 2018
Opening Day Program of the webit Festival Europe 2018.
14:30 Registration Opens at Arena Armeec.
17:30 Official Reception by EU Commissioner Mrs. Gabriel and Mayor of Sofia Mrs. Fandakova. For platinum pass holders only.
18:15 Walk from the Presidency to the National Palace of Culture. For platinum pass holders only.
19:00 Webit Night Urban Summit.
Day 2: Tuesday, 26 June 2018
Program of the Plenary Session of the Webit Festival Europe 2018.
08:30 Special Opening Event, Part 1.
09:10 Special opening Event, Part 2.
09:45 Official Opening.
10:05 Keynote Address. Plamen Russev, Founder & Chairman, Webit Foundation.
10:21 Keynote Adress. Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia.
10:37 Welcome Address Thibaut Gregoire, General Counsel, Europe, Mastercard.
10:43 Welcome Address James Lee, SVP, Huawei, Group President of the European Region.
10:49 Welcome Address Lilyana Pavlova, Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
10:55 Keynote Address Ekaterina Zaharieva
11:03 Keynote Address H.E. Boyko Borisov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and Rotating President, Council of the European Union.
11:19 Keynote Address David Hanson, Founder and CEO, Hanson Robotics Limited, with special guest Sophia.
11:40-12:21 Chairman’s Session and Highlights of Webit Festival Europe 2018.
12:22 Keynote Address Willem Jonker, CEO, eit Digital.
12:33 Discussion Panel: Education and Digital Skills.
13:14 Keynote Address: Digital Transformation/Innovators Dilemma. Diana Stefanova, Managing Director, EMEA R&D, VMWare.
13:30 Keynote Address: What is Work and What is Human in a Superhuman Future. Martin Wezowski, Chief Designer and Futurist, SAP.
13:45 Keynote Address Professor Shafi Ahmed, Consultant Surgeon & Co-Founder, Virtual Medics & Medical Realities.
13:56 Plenary Session Opening + Fireside Chat: re:Inventing Europe’s Future. Plamen Russev, Mariya Gabriel.
14:12 Keynote Address: Europe in 2030-2050. Mikael Conny Svensson, VP Government Affairs & Public Policy Europe, Mastercard.
14:28 Keynote Address James Lee, SVP, Huawei, Group President of the European Region.
15:07 Discussion Panel: Building the Gigabit Society.
15:43 Keynote Address: The Future of Digital Payments and Enabling the Expectation Economy. Vish Sowani, Head of Fintech Engagements and Strategic Partnerships Europe, VISA.
15:54 Discussion Panel: Digital Identity and the Future of Democracy.
16:30 Discussion Panel: Empowering Women in Business and Politics.
17:11 Summary of the Plenary Sessions. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, European Commission, and Chairperson of the Webit Plenary Session.
Day 3: Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Innovate! Summit program
