If you’re a seasoned SBC event goer, you’ll be aware of our networking party setup. They usually begin at 7 pm, the location is always on point, and free food and drinks flow as easily as the conversations.
But this year, we asked ourselves: how can we elevate SBC Summit Rio’s Opening Party even further?
The answer was to create a networking experience drenched in Brazilian culture, which is why this year’s opening party is our very own Festa pé na areia (sunset beach party) at Rio Beach Club.
Starting earlier at 4 pm, the afternoon gives attendees more time to enjoy the sunset views and organic conversations, with activities ranging from jet skiing and beach volleyball to a traditional Brazilian barbecue. It is designed to be relaxed, social, and genuinely fun, setting the perfect tone for high-value networking before the summit begins.
Here are the key details at a glance:
- Location: Rio Beach Club
- Time: 4pm – 11pm
- Activities: Volleyball, footvolley, beach tennis, jet-ski rides
- Extras: 500 pairs of Havaianas to give away (thanks to Wazdan), shisha (for hire) available to enjoy by the pool
- Food & Drink: Brazilian BBQ, complimentary drinks all evening
- Badge Pickup: Beat the Wednesday morning rush and collect your conference badge at our Opening Party!
- Clothing Recommendations: Casual (welcome to bring a change of clothes for sporting activities and use the lockers provided)
Read on to find out the full details!
🇧🇷 Rio Beach Club
Rio Beach Club is set just away from the Barra da Tijuca, Brazil’s longest beach.
The club centres around a swimming pool, surrounded by lounge chairs and parasols for relaxed conversations in the Rio heat, with a purpose-built beach sports arena nearby offering beach volleyball, footvolley, and beach tennis (but more on that later!).
There are also plenty of bars located throughout the club, ensuring the complimentary drinks will continue flowing all night. Plus, the beach club offers gorgeous sunset views of the mountains, sea, and lakes in the distance.
⏰ Timings
We’re starting at the earlier time of 4 pm to ensure our attendees have plenty of time to network, take part in our activities, and enjoy our Brazilian barbecue. The earlier start also means you’ll be treated to gorgeous sunset views over Barra da Tijuca.
As a little added bonus, the first 500 guests through our doors will be treated to a free pair of Havaianas courtesy of Wazdan. (thank you, Wazdan!)
🤾♀️ Activities
Most networking parties consist of grabbing a few drinks and making cold introductions. But SBC networking parties are about creating shared memories, which will make networking not only more fun, but more natural and seamless when reconnecting across the week.
Let’s take a look at what’s on offer during SBC Summit Rio’s Opening Party:
🌊 Jet Ski Rides
Rio Beach Club is situated by the waters surrounding Barra da Tijuca, Brazil’s longest beach. We’re giving our guests the chance to explore these waters with complimentary jet ski rides.
What better way to shake off any networking nerves than with a huge shot of jet skiing adrenaline?
🏖️ Beach Sports
Friendly competition is a great way to spark natural conversations. Thanks to Rio Beach Club’s dedicated sports area, the Opening Party will feature a number of beach activities for attendees to engage in across the afternoon.
Here’s what will be on offer:
- 🏐 Beach Volleyball – Rally your tallest teammates and settle the ultimate bragging rights on the sand. Fast-paced, energetic, and perfect for team bonding.
- ⚽ Footvolley – Brazil’s lovechild between football and table tennis. This is where the smoothest touch and quickest reflexes shine.
- 🎾 Beach Tennis – Laid back, social, and ideal for one-to-one chats between rallies. A great option for those who prefer networking with a softer competitive edge.
💨 Shisha for Hire
Shisha by the pool can be a great way to relax and unwind. We’ll have shisha available for hire throughout the Opening party!
🍗 Food & Drink
We’ll have a Brazilian BBQ on the go from the late afternoon into the early evening, so you don’t have to worry about where to have dinner. We will have all of the staples of a Brazilian barbecue on the go, from chicken hearts to juicy steaks.
Here’s a look at what we’ll be serving:
- Picanha (rump cap steak)
- Linguiça (Brazilian sausage)
- Fraldinha (flank steak)
- Chicken hearts
- Pão de queijo (cheese bread)
- Farofa (toasted cassava flour)
- Vinaigrette salsa
Desserts include:
- Brownies with ice cream
- Chocolate mousse
- Grilled banana with sugar and cinnamon
- Caramelised grilled pineapple
- Grilled banana
As for drinks, there’ll be cocktails, beers, wines, and soft drinks to choose from!
💃 Dress Code
Our networking events usually follow a smart-casual dress code, but as we’re going for a beach party vibe, feel free to go more casual.
If you’re planning on playing sports, there will be lockers, changing rooms and showers provided should you wish to freshen up – so feel free to bring a change of clothes along!
🎶 Music
Our DJ will be spinning a mix of Brazilian rhythms and beach club classics to keep the energy flowing all night!
Here’s a classic Rio sunset set to get you in the mood!
🎟️ Conference Badge Pickup
One of the biggest advantages of attending our Opening Party is often overlooked – you can pick up your conference badge!
While this may sound little, it’s a huge advantage going into the summit because it means you don’t have to worry about collecting your pass on day one. This gives you extra time to plan your day, eat some breakfast, or simply set your wake-up alarm a little later.
The Full Benefits of Our Networking Parties
The strongest connections rarely start with a formal introduction. Experiences like the Opening Party create relaxed, spontaneous opportunities to meet fellow attendees, with shared moments becoming natural anchor points for reconnecting later on the show floor.
Those connections often lead to follow-up conversations and meetings throughout the event week, helping turn informal introductions into tangible business outcomes.
🎫 How to Secure Your Ticket (And Join Us at Our Opening Party)
Our Opening Party, as with all our evening networking events, are available for VIP Pass holders only.
If you want to get your hands on one, here’s how:
- Operator or affiliate? The great news is you’re eligible for a FREE VIP Pass. Simply apply via this link.
- Group Pass Discount – Coming to SBC Summit Rio with a team? You can get three tickets or more for just $R1800 each instead of our usual R$3000. That’s a saving of R$3600 – more than a whole free ticket! Secure a Group Pass here.
- VIP Pass – To secure a VIP Pass on its own, click here.
