You’ve probably heard us mention that operators and affiliates get complimentary access to all SBC events.
You’ve also likely heard us encourage you to purchase your ticket at the right time to take advantage of discounts—whether it’s an Early Bird special or a Group Pass deal.
Also, recently, we introduced two new ticket types: the Expo+ Pass and the Expo Only Pass.
Now, while it might seem straightforward to us here at SBC, we know it can be a little confusing for some of you. So, we thought we’d break it down once and for all—so you’ll know exactly what’s included when you purchase or are assigned a ticket to SBC SUMMIT RIO.
Let’s dive in!
Note: If you are an operator or affiliate, you can navigate to the relevant section right away.
Let’s Start With the Newbie Number 1: The Expo+ Pass
As the name suggests, this ticket gives you access to the expo floor. By “expo floor,” we mean pretty much everything that happens on the show floor itself. With this pass, you can wander the expo, visit exhibitor stands, strike up conversations, and participate in gatherings happening on the floor.
A quick note: the show floor is open for two days only—Wednesday, 26 February, and Thursday, 27 February—from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
But what about the “+” in Expo+?
Yes, that little “+” comes with a perk. And not just any perk. It’s one we think you’ll appreciate.
So, what does the “+” mean?
The “+” means that beyond having access to the show floor, you also get access to the conference sessions and the workshops at the event (like the Influencer Academy).
This is a big deal because SBC is known for delivering top-notch (=the best) content at industry events. In a newly regulated market like Brazil, the insights shared are even more valuable. With the Expo+ Pass, you can attend all the conference sessions—keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and more. It’s a great mix: explore the expo, connect with others in the industry, and learn from some of the best Brazil experts out there.
What’s Not Included in the Expo+ Pass?
- Evening Networking Events
These are a key part of the SBC experience, but they’re not included with the Expo+ Pass. That means no access to the Tuesday pre-registration drinks or the evening networking parties on Wednesday or Thursday. So, if networking over cocktails and dancing at the Infinity Rio Party featuring Afrojack and Dubdogz is on your agenda, you’ll want to upgrade to a Full Access Pass. - Food on the Expo Floor
While food will be available for Full Access Pass holders, Expo+ attendees will need to take care of their meals independently.
Who’s the Expo+ Pass For?
The Expo+ Pass is ideal for those who are primarily interested in exploring the expo and attending the conference sessions. It’s also a great option if you’re on a budget or simply not into evening networking events.
Priced at R$500 (approximately $90), it offers incredible value. That said, if you ask us, the evening networking events are where the best deals often happen, so you have been warned! You might be missing out!
P.S. The Expo+ Pass will be available right up until the event starts.
SBC Recommendation: This option is perfect for companies based in Brazil that want to send as many team members as possible to the event. We get it—bringing your entire team might not be financially feasible. But if you can at least get them the Expo+ Pass, they’ll have the opportunity to work their magic on the expo floor and learn as much as they can during the conference sessions (the content will be available to them after the event digitally via the SBC Connect App). They’ll return with fresh ideas and knowledge that can help them work more efficiently and deliver even better results. Definitely worth considering!
Purchase your Expo+ Pass here.
Now Onto Newbie Number 2: The Expo Only Pass
Again, this ticket gives you access to the expo floor. By “expo floor,” we mean pretty much everything that happens on the show floor itself. With this pass, you can wander the expo, visit exhibitor stands, strike up conversations, and participate in gatherings happening on the floor.
A quick note: the show floor is open for two days only—Wednesday, 26 February, and Thursday, 27 February—from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
We are also including an extra perk: access to the Influencer Academy workshops. You can read more about the academy here.
If your goal is limited to attending the expo and the Influencer Academy, this is the perfect choice for you.
The best part? It’s completely free of charge. We want to ensure more people can attend the event without significantly impacting company budgets.
A company might send some representatives with a VIP Pass for an all-inclusive experience, others with an Expo+ Pass for additional access to conference sessions, and, last but not least, even more representatives completely free of charge for expo-only access—including the Influencer Academy.
VIP Pass: Your Acess to the ALL-INCLUSIVE SBC Experience
You’ll hear us refer to this as the VIP Pass or Full Event Pass or Full Access Pass.
At SBC, the VIP Pass typically goes through two pricing stages.
Early Bird Stage: The Early Bird stage offers the pass at a discounted rate, but this has already ended for Rio. For reference, the Early Bird rate was R$2000 (approximately $330), which was a R$1000 ($165) saving on the regular Full Access Pass price. If you missed it this time, make a note for the next event—SBC consistently offers Early Bird discounts. Be sure to check the emails we send, as we always include reminders to take advantage of these deals.
Group Pass Stage: The second stage is the Group Pass Stage, which is another discount option for the Full Event Pass when purchased for groups of three or more people. With this offer, the pass costs R$2500 (approximately $414) per person instead of R$3000 (approximately $495). For example, a group of three would pay R$7500 (approximately $1240) instead of R$9000 (approximately $1488).
If you’re planning to send multiple people to the event, make sure to register them at the same time to benefit from the discount. The Group Pass discount is available right up until the event starts.
However, if you’re only sending one or two people, the price will remain at R$3000 after the Early Bird deal ends. This is why we recommend making decisions early to ensure you get the best deal. For groups of three or more, while the Group Pass is still a good deal, the Early Bird rate remains the best option—so purchasing tickets as early as possible is always the smartest financial decision.
Just a heads-up: the Group Pass becomes available as soon as the Early Bird Discount ends.
Full access means full access. Expo, Conference, Parties.
Whether you purchased an Early Bird Pass or a VIP Pass, you have FULL ACCESS to the event.
So, What’s Included?
- Access to the Expo Floor on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Access to Conference Sessions and workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, plus on-demand access to the content after the event.
- Access to Evening Networking Parties, including pre-registration drinks on Tuesday, the official party on Wednesday, and the INFINITY Rio Party on Thursday.
- Food and Drinks provided during the event (you’re going to get a pre-loaded wristband when you grab your badge).
Important Info
If you are an exhibitor or sponsor, our team assigns a specific number of VIP Passes to you. If your team needs additional passes beyond the allocated number, you have the option to purchase more. Keep in mind that your team might assign you an Expo+ Pass or the Expo Only Pass instead, so please double-check with the designated contact on your team to confirm which pass you’ve been registered under for the event.
Exhibitors can also register personnel who will assist at their booth. It’s essential to inform the SBC team in advance to ensure all personnel are registered correctly.
Operator Pass and Affiliate Pass: Complimentary VIP Treatment
As mentioned above, if you’re an operator or affiliate, all of the above details don’t really apply to you since you qualify for a COMPLIMENTARY pass to our event. This pass is referred to as the OPERATOR PASS or AFFILIATE PASS, but essentially, it’s a VIP EVENT PASS—just for free!
It’s the equivalent of the Full Event Pass because you’ll get the same full access as those who purchase the ticket at full price.
All you need to do to claim your OPERATOR or AFFILIATE pass is submit the relevant form and wait for a member of our team to register you (after confirming that you do indeed represent an operator or affiliate).
How to Apply?
What’s Included?
- Access to the Expo Floor on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Access to Conference Sessions and workshops on Wednesday and Thursday, plus on-demand access to the content after the event.
- Access to Evening Networking Parties, including pre-registration drinks on Tuesday, the official party on Wednesday, and the INFINITY Rio Party on Thursday.
- Food and Drinks provided during the event (you’re going to get a pre-loaded wristband when you grab your badge).
Advice from SBC
Yes, getting a complimentary pass means you don’t have to worry about discounts. But registering early for the event is about more than just saving money.
By registering early, you can:
- Make provisions for travel and accommodation well in advance.
- Promote your participation at the event early, increasing visibility and generating interest.
- Plan ahead for speaking opportunities, identify key meetings, and strategise your involvement.
- Give SBC the opportunity to promote your participation in the event early on.
Even if you’re an operator or affiliate—register early! You might even see your company logo featured in our social media posts or emails sent to the SBC database. There’s no need to postpone!
Notes:
- It typically takes our team up to three working days to process your form. If you have applied for a ticket and have not received an email with your ticket after 3-5 working days, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
- If our relationship team has any questions about your application, they will contact you to request clarifications.
- Please note that submissions received after Friday, February 21, 2025, may not be reviewed in time for the event. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Other Types of Passes
- You might receive a special discount from our sales team to attend the event. This sales team discount offers 50% off the price of the Full Event Pass and is available to SBC’s valued friends and clients. Reach out to your sales manager to inquire. Please note that the pass you receive through this offer is a FULL ACCESS PASS. This discount is only relevant for suppliers, as operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes.
- You might also receive a special discount from our MEDIA PARTNERS. These discounts become available after the EARLY BIRD deal expires and also provide a 50% discount on the VIP Pass. Media partners share these discounts privately with their network, typically through email communications or personal correspondence. You can view the list of our media partners here and the list of our strategic partners here.
- Media and strategic partners receive full complimentary access to the event with a PARTNER PASS (which is essentially a Full Event Pass). If you’re a partner, reach out to [email protected] to claim your pass.
We hope this guide helps you navigate the different pass options for SBC Summit Rio with ease. If you still have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you make the most of your SBC Summit Rio journey.
