…. 1,000 attendees…. eight keynotes… 45 round-table periods… 61 million Twitter impressions… 22 very useful volunteers… 1,500 mentions of @TNWNYC…. 1 Startup Nyc Founders Cafe by Google Cloud… 1,000 espresso cups for the Startup NYC Founders Cafe… 5,000 distinctive customers watching our Instagram story… 1 trending hashtag, #TNWNY

These 10 numbers briefly summarize TNW New York, the place 1,000 decision-makers got here collectively to discover the digital applied sciences remodeling tech, communication, and media companies.

For our newest version on December 12, we tried a totally completely different method from our earlier occasions. As an alternative of utilizing our European format, we went invite-only and centered on three primary industries. Altering tack like that was not solely fascinating for attendees, it additionally gave us the chance to study various issues we’d prefer to share.

1. Meet and greet, not spray and prayThis yr, we determined to make TNW New York invite-only. New York is crowded with tech occasions and initially enticing XXL attendee lists simply implies that everyone seems to be there, making it unattainable to separate the wheat from the chaff whereas networking.

So we wished so as to add extra worth to the entire expertise by focussing on C-level professionals in expertise, communication, and media companies. This idea made it simpler for attendees to attach over espresso. And in the event that they didn’t join over meals or drinks, they met at one of many round-table periods that they had signed up for.

We had examined round-table periods calmly at TNW New York 2016, and closely at TNW Convention in Amsterdam final Could. The result was extremely candid, two-way conversations with consultants about the best way their subject material impacts what you are promoting. So we determined to concentrate on these this yr in New York.

Once we launched our periods, they had been totally booked inside weeks. In the course of the day, attendees had been extraordinarily engaged and actually obtained to know the desk hosts. 

In the long run, assembly the correct folks is extra necessary than assembly numerous folks.

2. Measurement issuesHaving 1,000 attendees, we had been capable of choose a comparatively small venue. That didn’t simply make it simple to seek out your method round, it additionally averted operating from one place to a different to make it to the following roundtable or discuss in time.

Whereas Metropolitan Pavilion is positioned in Chelsea, within the midst of New York Metropolis, it nonetheless felt cosy and relaxed. Folks didn’t appear in a rush to seek out the following place to go or meet the following particular person. It additionally made it simpler so as to add folks from the ready record to roundtables when somebody canceled final minute, which meant the tables had been on full capability all day.

Accepting 1,000 attendees turned out to be an effective way for folks to have actual conversations, relatively than operating round to gather enterprise playing cards.

A comfy and relaxed environment helps others get probably the most out of your occasion.

Three. A handful of keynotes will be sufficientWith a heavy concentrate on roundtables, it merely wasn’t essential to e book extra audio system than the day might maintain. They needed to be top-notch although.

Our keynote content material revolved round main technological modifications that may impression completely different industries. We discovered ahead pondering researchers and consultants who had been prepared to share their imaginative and prescient on how this tech will change the best way we work and dwell over the following Three-5 years.

Christopher Younger, CEO of McAfee, got here to speak concerning the significance of incorporating cyber safety in your organization tradition. Tony Jebara, Head of Machine Studying at Netflix, described tips on how to use machine studying for personalization. And Galia Benartzi, CEO of Bancor, defined cryptocurrency and the way forward for cash.

We realised that typically, so long as you invite good minds, eight audio system is sufficient.

four. Companions are key to creating selectionAs the main focus this yr was on networking with colleagues, not promoting, this yr was the primary time TNW New York didn’t have a exhibition space. However we did need to present the chance to construct relationships and study from one another.

So when Google Cloud requested to host the NYC Founders Cafe, we had been very joyful to have them. It was an effective way for startups founders to have a espresso, meet one another, and focus on the probabilities to develop through the use of Google Cloud.

Conferences will be hectic, and becoming a member of intimate round-table periods all day will be intense. The chairs and sofas within the Google Cloud NYC Founder Cafe had been excellent to loosen up, have a espresso and take a breath. It turned out to be the place to be for startups all day round.

Our lesson? The best companions may help you to create selection throughout the environment you’ve created.

TNW New York gave us these and lots of different new insights that we’ll be utilizing for our subsequent occasion: TNW Convention in Amsterdam.

One factor we’ve already selected is to double down on intimacy. Anticipate greater than 500 intimate small-group periods on provide in Amsterdam. 1,000 Tremendous Earlybird Tickets will likely be obtainable from January, 16. Click on right here if you wish to study extra.