The conference unfolded under the quintessential Amsterdam weather—perfectly sunny and temperate. The venue was notably accessible and comfortable, which, coupled with its considerable distance from the city’s main attractions (a city where, full disclosure, my husband was born), ensured that attendance remained high throughout the event. The dessert buffet was quite impressive, matched only by the quality of the snacks provided during the post-conference reception.
From a substantive standpoint, the conference aimed to showcase the potential of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to the business community. I can personally attest to the presence of CEOs from a diverse array of small to medium-sized enterprises, not just from Europe. Naturally, there was a risk that discussions might veer towards the non-compliance of gatekeepers; however, I believe this was mitigated, at least to a point. The presentations and ensuing discussions were constructive, both in the plenary sessions and the breakout rooms.
While I'm not sure if new business ideas directly stemming from the DMA emerged, the conference certainly brought to light several research topics (see our call for papers here). It was particularly intriguing to note the presence of investors interested in enterprises that could benefit from the DMA. Remember, navigating the DMA is a marathon, not a sprint. Fingers crossed.
M. Vestager, speech here.
The DMA, A short guide for tech challengers here.
My X posts, unrolled here.
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