Did your 2017 business resolutions include learning something new, becoming more profitable or making valuable business contacts? Well, if so, you should be attending conferences this year. You\u2019ll form valuable relationships with like-minded\u00a0entrepreneurs, broaden your horizons and perhaps even tap into the knowledge you need to reach your goals.<\/p>\n
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Here are five tech conferences you won\u2019t want to miss in 2017, along with some recommendations regarding where to stay and what else to do while you\u2019re there. After all, these conferences require travel time, so why not make the most of the location?<\/p>\n
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1. Predict, Dublin (Ireland)<\/strong><\/p>\n When:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Oct 3, 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/em>: Europe\u2019s leading data conference,\u00a0<\/span>Predict<\/a>, is taking place in Dublin this year and is exactly the kind of conference you should be attending if you want to get ahead of the curve. Topics discussed include analytics, data and prediction, but this year special focus is being given to artificial intelligence (AI). Make the most of a room full of innovators who are experts in the future of predictive analytics if you want to get a jump on your competitors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>You can\u00a0<\/span>choose from the wide ranging selection of the city\u2019s hotels<\/a>, but if you want to be close to the conference itself, keep your search area to Ballsbridge, Temple Bar and Stephens Green.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What else to do:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Dublin is a fantastic place for a night on the town, with vibrant night life, Irish pubs and top-class restaurants to enjoy. If you want to make a mini-break of it, consider stopping off at Kilmainham Goal or see what\u2019s on at the BordGais Energy Theatre.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2. MIT Tech Conference, Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA)<\/strong><\/p>\n When:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>May 22 \u2013 24, 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>The MIT Tech Conference pulls together some of the biggest names in tech, and this year, the conference will be focused on the world\u2019s most innovative exponential technologies. Seize the chance to hear the boldest experts in the world discussing opportunities and challenges surrounding subjects such as synthetic biology, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>If you\u2019d like to stay close to the venue, try the Kendall Hotel, but if you\u2019re happy to catch a cab to take you to the venue, stay right in the heart of Cambridge at Hotel Veritas in Harvard Square.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What else to do:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>MIT Museum<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is well worth exploring while you\u2019re on the university site, but if you\u2019d prefer to get outdoors after being inside most the day, take a walk around the picture-perfect Mt Auburn Cemetery or book tickets for the Back Bay Wine Tasting and Walking Tour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3. LTE Voice Summit, London (UK)<\/strong><\/p>\n When:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>October 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>LTE\u2019s Voice Virtualization Summit<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>will be taking place in October (exact dates TBC), looking at the opportunities and challenges for businesses surrounding voice virtualization. It\u2019s expected that, like last year, attendees will benefit from live demos, hosted table lunches, network parties, interactive roundtables and key speakers. Further details are pending, but you can pre-register for the conference on their website.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Reasonably priced city center hotels in London include citizenM and the Apex London Wall Hotel, or for a touch of luxury, enjoy a night at somewhere like the Connaught or the Dorchester. Of course, you can find plenty of budget-friendly options in the city\u2019s various Travel Lodge hotels too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What else to do:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>If you fancy being a tourist, check out top sites such as the London Eye, the Tower of London, St Paul\u2019s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. For something a little different, take a walk across Tower Bridge and look down on the road and river below the glass floor, or visit the time capsule that is Dennis Severs\u2019 House.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. The Startup Conference, California (USA)<\/strong><\/p>\n When:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>May 17, 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>The Startup Conference<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>delivers exactly what you\u2019d expect, and should be a conference that\u2019s on the top of your to-do list if you\u2019re trying to make a name for yourself in your industry. Attendees will learn how to find and work with the right co-founders, earn attention from the media, win investors and pitch products in the early days of running a business. There will even be seminars from entrepreneurs who will be sharing their best tricks about setting up a startup, as well as tips for hacking your way to explosive growth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where to stay:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>The Euro Hotel, Redwood Creek Inn and the Comfort Inn are all within easy walking distance of the conference venue (Fox Theatre).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What else to do:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>Be sure to check out the\u00a0<\/span>Pulgas water Temple\u00a0<\/span><\/a>while you\u2019re in Redwood City if you feel like slowing down and getting away from the busy crowds at the conference, and take some time out for a stroll around Red Morton Community Park too \u2013 the fruit trees ripe for picking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Web Summit, Lisbon (Portugal)<\/strong><\/p>\n When:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>November 6 \u2013 9, 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What:<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>With over 50,000 attendees flocking to\u00a0<\/span>Web Summit<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>each year, you need to book yourself a ticket as soon as possible. “Europe\u2019s Largest Technology Marketplace” brings together CEOs, investors, entrepreneurs and the best minds across various industries to discuss how technology is shaping our future, and previous speakers include Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, Reed Hastings, Michael Dell, Mike Kireger, Jean Lu and Sean Rad. Don\u2019t miss it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n