Concrete Love is the theme of this year’s signature gathering of the House of Beautiful Business, the global think tank and community for leaders who are reinventing their organizations and themselves while creating positive visions for the future.

Our first annual event took place in a guild house in Barcelona’s gothic quarter in February 2017, and later that year we moved to Lisbon for a second gathering. In 2018 and 2019, we returned to Lisbon for Next Startup Humanity and The Battle for Beautiful Business respectively. We produced 2020’s event, The Great Wave, as a hybrid festival, mostly online. We could not be more excited to return in-person to Lisbon for Concrete Love this fall.

We believe the world needs Concrete Love: untethered imagination and radical ideas, paired with genuine care and practical action. With an in-person event in Lisbon (following strict COVID-safety guidelines), local events in cities around the world (hosted by some of our Chambers of Beautiful Business), and online programming, we will bring together thousands of participants from business, technology, science, politics, and art to shape the new foundations, structures, and workplaces of the (post-)pandemic age. During one month of inspiration, learning, and connection, we will celebrate gathering in person, while integrating online and Lisbon audiences in new and truly hybrid ways.

Concrete Love will comprise two parts:

- ACTS (Oct 29—31, in person in Lisbon and live-streamed online): In a 3,000 square meter industrial warehouse in Marvila, the former port district of Lisbon, gather with 300 fellow attendees to experience the big ideas shaping the new pandemic world across five main-stage and many more break-out sessions. Concrete Love Lisbon will kick off at 2 pm GMT in the afternoon of Friday, October 29 and end on midnight Sunday, October 31, 2021.

- ACTIONS (Nov 1—26, online-only): deepen the conversation and collaborate on making some of these ideas work for you in your organization and life

The House of Beautiful Business is not your typical business forum, and our annual gathering is not your typical conference. This is particularly true for this year’s event.

Concrete Love will be both an experiment in and celebration of gathering in (post-)pandemic times—a full-body, wholehearted immersive experience that engages you not just intellectually, but also emotionally.

Take a look at some impressions from our 2019 gathering in Lisbon.

Past attendees of our annual gathering have called it “the most non-conference conference I’ve ever attended” and “the world’s most un-like, like-minded community.”

After hosting more than 50 online Living Room Sessions since January 2020 and an online festival last fall (The Great Wave), we can’t wait to bring what we’ve learned about virtual gatherings to the real world.

At Concrete Love, IRL and virtual will augment one another, and while both the Lisbon and online program will have discrete features, formats, and speakers, they will be interlinked. Lisbon attendees can tune in to sessions online to deepen the conversation, and online attendees will play a role in what is happening on the Lisbon stage.

All the five main ACTS in Lisbon will be live-streamed online, and there will also be dedicated online programming during these days.

Our Chambers of Beautiful Business will also host smaller events in select cities.

The second part of Concrete Love, ACTIONS, will take place entirely online.

Health and safety are our top priorities, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding for the measures we are putting in place to protect you and those around you. We are working closely with the health authorities in Portugal, and will observe all guidelines and rules issued by the ​​Directorate General of Health. If any rules change closer to the event dates, we will inform you immediately.

We kindly ask all attendees, contributors, and staff of the Lisbon event to provide an official vaccination certificate. In addition, we ask for a negative antigen test, to be conducted right before entering our venues, as well as another antigen test after 48 hours. We will provide antigen testing free of charge from Friday, October 29 to Sunday, October 31 at our main venues in Marvila.

Regarding the use of masks, we encourage them indoors and leave it to individual discretion as to whether to wear them outside. We will provide masks on site.

For latest travel and entry requirements for EU and international travelers, please visit this site for more information.

If you have any questions regarding our health concept or travel regulations, please reach out anytime to membership@thebusinessromanticsociety.com.

Most speakers and performers listed on the contributors page will appear live and onsite in Lisbon, but given the volatility of travel due to COVID-19, changes might occur. Moreover, we will feature some contributors exclusively in our online program.

The attendees are from more than 40 countries and diverse in terms of gender, age, culture, and professional background. Our audience ranges from CEOs, artists, academics, and technologists to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and students.

Many members of our community find themselves at inflection points in their careers or lives, and are looking for new inspiration and orientation. Some use the House of Beautiful Business to meet new interesting people and hear fresh ideas. Others consider the House a place to access original thinking, next-generation technologies, and novel practices to spur the innovation efforts in their organization. What all of our members (House Residents) have in common is an insatiable curiosity, an inquisitive mind, a big heart, and desire for real, honest connections. Simply put, people come to the House searching for a community that offers them four things: inspiration, intelligence, intimacy, and impact.

At Concrete Love, you will meet people from organizations including Accenture, Ageas, Airbnb, Airbus, Amazon, Bayer, BCG, Beiersdorf, BMW, BPI, Capital One, CARE, Cap Gemini, Daimler, Deloitte, Deutsche Telekom, European Commission, Facebook, Farfetch, Frog Design, Galp, Google, IBM, IEEE, IKEA, INSEAD, Korn Ferry, LinkedIn, Lufthansa, Magnum Photos, McKinsey, Microsoft, MIT Media Lab, Nestlé, Netflix, Novo Banco, Otto Group, Pfizer, Phillips, Porsche, PwC, Salesforce.com, SAP, Sennheiser, Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab, Siemens, Sky, SYPartners, TED Conferences, Uber, UBS, Union Square Ventures, Volkswagen, Wikimedia, and the UN, among many others.

• The full five days of Concrete Love online

• Access to most content and experiences during the event (talks, films, discussions, masterclasses, workshops, audio journeys, performances, and more), except for some sessions that will take place IRL in Lisbon only

• All benefits of the annual membership of the House of Beautiful Business (House Residency)

• Connect with other participants (including those in Lisbon) through video, messaging, and collaboration platforms

• Access to the full virtual experience of Concrete Love, the 2021 event of the House from October 29 through November 26, 2021

• Living Room Sessions: monthly 60–90-minute inspirational online events that gather the House community worldwide and feature a variety of speakers, performers, and experiences on a wide range of topics

• Resident Circles: facilitated monthly social forums for exchange with other House Residents as well as mutual coaching and mentoring programs

• House Library: exclusive on-demand access to all new and archived House content (video, audio, books, and reports)

• Masterclasses and workshops: curated online learning programs taught by House speakers and domain experts on select topics

• Beauty Shots: weekly online newsletter with commentary on current events and beautiful business practices

• House Work: community-led projects and co-creation initiatives

You can also learn more here.

• The full five days of Concrete Love in Lisbon and online

• Access to all content and experiences during the event (talks, films, discussions, masterclasses, workshops, audio journeys, performances, and more)

• All benefits of the annual membership of the House of Beautiful Business (House Residency)

• Connect with other participants: in person in Lisbon, and online through video, messaging, and collaboration platforms

• Note: travel and accommodation is not included, but we will provide you with discounted rates at our partner hotels In Lisbon.

Yes, we offer special passes for teams and organizations, as well as partnership opportunities. Email us to learn more.

Yes. The only exceptions are the break-out sessions, morning runs, and social activities taking place in Lisbon during ACTS. Also, (almost) everything is being recorded. After a session premieres you will be able to access it as a recording via our House Library online.

Health and safety are our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding for the measures we are putting in place to protect you and those around you. We are working closely with the health authorities in Portugal, and will observe all guidelines and rules issued by the ​​Directorate General of Health. If any rules change closer to the event dates, we will inform you immediately.

To take part in the in-person experience in Lisbon, it will be necessary to have an official vaccination certificate. In addition, all participants, contributors, and production staff of Concrete Love will be required to have an antigen test every 48 hours or alternatively, a negative PCR test every 72 hours for the duration of the event. We will provide antigen testing free of charge from Friday, October 29, 16:00 GMT to Sunday, October 31, noon at our main venue in Marvila.

Regarding the use of masks, we encourage them indoors and leave it to individual discretion as to whether to wear them outside. We will provide masks on site.

For latest travel and entry requirements for EU and international travellers, please visit this site for more information.

If you have any questions regarding our health concept or travel regulations, please reach out anytime to membership@thebusinessromanticsociety.com.

We will gather in a 3,000 square meter industrial warehouse in Marvila, the former port district of Lisbon undergoing a cultural regeneration and fast becoming a vibrant home for artists, craftsmen, and startups. We are also using a number of nearby satellite venues for workshops and smaller sessions.

Here are a few options, all within a 20 min car ride from our venue in Marvila

Luxury (Google Maps)

Torel Palace
Luxury boutique hotel near Avenida da Liberdade with spacious rooms and expansive views, plus a quiet garden away from the city hustle.

Bairro Alto Hotel
Located at the popular Praça Luís de Camões, this newly refurbished five-star hotel offers all the usual amenities plus a terrace restaurant and rooftop with one of the best river views in Lisbon.

The Lumiares
Five-star hotel located in Bairro Alto that caters to families and frequent travelers. Gorgeous city views from the rooftop bar and restaurant.

The One (Palácio da Anunciada)
Brand new hotel in a converted palace, tucked away in a quiet street next to Avenida da Liberdade and a stone’s throw from downtown. Large pool and outdoor bathing area.


Great choices (Google Maps)

Hotel da Baixa
Elegant four-star hotel in touristic downtown.

Memmo Principe Real
Slick design hotel tucked away in the popular Principe Real neighborhood with views of the Lisbon hills.

Memmo Alfama
Serene, minimalist design hotel including a rooftop terrace with views of Alfama and the river Tegus.

Palacio Ramalhete

Honest, traditional hotel in the not-so-touristy neighborhood of Santos. Madonna rented it out as her exclusive home for a few months.

The Vintage

Charming hotel with mid-century character between the Principe Real neighborhood and Avenida da Liberdade. Has a cozy rooftop bar overlooking the botanical gardens, a spa, and a restaurant serving typical Portuguese fare.


Charming boutiques (Google Maps)

As Janelas Verdes
Upscale boutique hotel in an 18th-century house next to the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Santos, close to Lapa, with views of the River Tagus. Old-fashioned vibe, and personal and friendly staff. Houses a library on the top floor with a telescope and cozy balcony.

Dear Lisbon Houses
Family-run boutique hotels across the city. Friends and long-time partners of the House. We hosted our 2018 gathering in their Gallery House in São Bento, and our team will stay there this year. We also like the Bordalo House and Palace Chiado (note: this building is actually listed as a “palacete,” a small palace).

A Casa das Janelas Com Vista
A hidden gem with a relaxed artsy vibe, owned by Spanish interior designers, with a cool shared kitchen and lounge. Has only 12 rooms, three of which are tiny. Pleasant and personal customer service.

For students and nonprofits, we offer 50% discounts. Email us to learn more.

Yes. Email us to learn more.

The House of Beautiful Business is a global community and platform. We connect business leaders, technologists, scientists, philosophers, policy makers, creatives, and artists who share a common interest: to make humans more human and business more beautiful. Through events, a rich and diverse multichannel media platform, and a membership program for individuals and corporate partners, we create an imaginative and playful space for transformation on a personal and organizational level, and for our societies and economies at large. Together with our community and partners, we are working to set a new cultural, social, and economic agenda, leading the shift from business-as-usual to business that is beautiful.

The House of Beautiful Business was founded in 2017, and since then our multidisciplinary community has grown to tens of thousands of engaged members around the world.

Last year, we also launched Living Room Sessions, monthly 60–90-minute online sessions for House Residents. From lectures to tutorials, from dancing to debating, from masterclasses to book readings (and sometimes all of the above), they present ideas and insights from one or more guest speakers and offer new ways to gather beyond business-as-usual.

In January this year, we introduced House Residency. House Residency is an all-year membership program that connects our members (“Residents”) to a bespoke group of international leaders and influencers, and offers them the chance to partake in a variety of virtual experience formats—including monthly Living Room Sessions, Resident Circles, a House Work program, and our annual main event. In addition, Residents can access exclusive intelligence and insights and collaborate on transformative projects. You can learn more about the specific features included in the House Residency here.