Summit X: FAQ
The Summit notebooks have just arrived from Riga (it's another manufacturer with whom we work directly, putting a part of your registration fees right into the hands of the people who make the goods), and given that the coffee from Colombia and the rum from Cuba are already at the warehouse, we are now all set for the conference – you are guaranteed to have stimulating conversations, whatever your drug of choice, and you'll have a place where to record all the bright ideas.
This issue consists of a short editorial about Venezuela and capitalist militarism, sorry, about what makes the Summit work, followed by a list of action points that are here to help you make the most of the event.
What Makes It Work?
After all these years, the simple answer is: the people.
We started with two law firms, Taylor Wessing and Osborne Clarke, saying, let's do it; and with two games studios, Wargaming and Valve, supporting it (at one year, even as sponsors) – and it just grew from there.
Lawyers who were very much into games, and into collaborative work, brought in other lawyers of the same profile. Those who liked a different style, did not return. With counsels from Riot Games, CDPR, Epic, Supercell, Take-Two, Frankfurt Kurnit, MSK, Allen & Overy, Beiten Burkhardt, Purewal & Partners and others joining, the community expanded – but the core values remained: substance, curiosity and cooperation.
A few years ago, we thought of setting up a webpage that would say "these lawyers are recommended by the studios for their work" – but we ended up not doing this, because "recommended" was so hard to define. What if someone is good in one context, but not in another? What if someone is into games today, but tomorrow moves to another industry? Things change – some counsels are in games for a decade, for others it's one of the phases. Each year the conference is more of a play than a film – an experience that's here and now, relevant for the current state of the industry.
The special thing about the Summit is not the French champagne (which we love to serve), or the coffee and tea corners that service the conference all day long (plus the espresso bar for a quick shot), or the schedule that accommodates 12 sessions (selected by the community board). All of these are here because of – or to provide support to – the people, the community.
If the program is good, it's because the core counsels love substance and are allergic to bullshit. If the food is simple and fresh, it's because you have told us that you'd like to eat healthy. And if the venue remains outdoors, it's because you guys like to stay mobile, and interact with each other unrestrictedly, throughout the whole event.
We look forward to seeing all of you (as of today, all 348 of you!) next week, and if you find yourself enjoying the conference – please take a look in the mirror. The core reason of why it feels special, is looking right back at you.
Asemi Co. x Summit Cups (日本製)
Despite the heavy rains and the disruption in logistics, Yuki Ishiguro at Asemi Co. did the impossible and we just cleared the customs for all 100 sets of the anniversary cups!
I can personally attest to the fact that the white internal surface is the perfect backdrop for the color of fresh sencha, as shown here. As to the form factor, it's the proven classic – I use Asemi Co.'s cups for over five years by now, and for me it's still the best fit.
If you pre-ordered the cups, and will attend the Summit: you will get the box(es) at the registration, inside your personalized attendee bag. If you pre-ordered but won't attend: we will ship them to you in the week following the conference. As of now, 52 sets that remain available – you can buy them at the conference, at the Summit Camper in the Museum (credit cards only, via terminal).
Summit 2025 T-shirts
We have not yet received the t-shirts, but we expect them to arrive on Monday. The situation is the same as with the Japanese cups: they will be available while the supplies last at the Summit Camper; if you want a specific size reserved in advance, please email Alma.
Industry Dinner
This year, the majority of the attendees went for the meat tables. Is this affected by this year's key color, which is as red as the tickets for the meat tables? I wish – last year, the key color was green, but the carnivores still beat the other categories to the top. Here's how the tickets look this year –
The Industry Dinner starts immediately after the program on September 3 (Wednesday), at Hotel PACAI's courtyard; with drinks from 18:00 and food from 19:00. Please bring your ticket to the dinner! You will need it to access the venue. There are no seat reservations – just follow the directions to the food type of your choice (green for vegetarians, red for carnivores, blue for pescatarians).
I would like to draw your attention that at every turn of the conference, including this dinner, we have 0% alc. options available in each of the drinks categories. Here's the dinner's drinks menu, with the 0% options highlighted –
Please ask your waiter for anything from the list, the lists are available at each table and we would be thrilled to serve you with whatever your desire is –
Relay Race: Sep 3 – 07:00-08:00
The Relay Race on September 3 (Wednesday) is on, with the following teams:
- PACE INVADERS
- IDKFA
- GOTTA GO FAST
- FAST AF(K)
- CTRL+SPRINTERS
- CREEPER'S COUNSELS
We have 2 more spaces available on the roster (it's 6 teams x 6 people each), so if you want to join the counsels from Epic Games, Osborne Clarke, Wargaming, Taylor Wessing, Gaijin Entertainment, Take-Two, Drew & Napier, Supercell, Pérez-Llorca, GOG, Chrysostomides and others in this race, you can sign up here before the coming Monday.
Monday Dinner
A small group of lawyers (around 25 at the moment) meets for dinner on Monday, September 1, from 18:00 in the Old Town. If you're in early, and would like to join, please email Alma or Sergei to get on the group thread (warning: it currently discusses Brazilian wines).
Kayaking on Tuesday
A group of counsels is going to be kayaking in the morning of Tuesday. If you'd like to join, please liaison with captain Felix Hilgert.
Weather Forecast
This is where we are at the moment. Be ready to enjoy ice-cream wearing t-shirts only... but also, bring a hoodie (unless you're getting one under the Super Pass program) and a windbreaker/an umbrella for the possibility of showers on Thursday (we have ordered a proper thunderstorm for the Industry Dinner, for the dramatic effect, but we're unsure yet of the delivery...).
Agenda
As in Rome, we will make the foldable, easy to carry conference agendas available all over the place – not to worry. You can also check the agenda online, with all the names of on-stage and off-stage contributors: here.
Most sessions are 45 minute long, a few are 30 minutes and the headliners are hour-long. Each session is followed either by a lunch / a dinner, or by a 15-minute coffee break – so that you always have a chance to get a drink and/or a bite, between the panels.
Welcome Center for First-Time Attendees
If you attend the conference for the first time, we have some Campari Soda, homemade chips and kombucha for you at Hotel PACAI on September 2 (Tuesday) from 14:00 to 16:00.
Upsides (besides Campari): you will get your attendee bag early, as well as connect with the people that know where the champagne is, and from which corner of the courtyard the queue for lunch is the shortest.
Red Carpet Gallery
The Red Carper Gallery will be available from 16:00 through 20:00 on September 2 (Tuesday), during the Opening Reception. We invite you to make the most of it (last year's gallery: here).
Dress Code
The best way to understand the dress code, if you attend for the first time, is to look at the last year's gallery: here.
Badges
Finally, about the badges:
- red lanyard – old hand
- orange lanyard – first-time attendee
- yellow or black lanyard – operations (feel free to ask for assistance!!)
And on the badge itself:
- red IN-HOUSE – studio counsel
- blue LAW FIRM – law firm expert
- green INDUSTRY – association, law school, executive
- LEGAL CHALLENGE – moot court semifinalist
To make this year's badges a bit special, we've produced the "special anniversary edition" volumetric elements (it's not a sticker or a part of the print; took a few hours to glue – two per badge, for each side =).
On this cheerful note, I bid you farewell, and I look forward to seeing all of you in just a few days – the weather, for now, looks promising, so let's make the most of it!
Sergei // Team Charlie Oscar
