Welcome to the Semiofest bid page

DO YOU LOVE SEMIOTICS?

DO YOU WANT YOUR CITY TO HOST SEMIOFEST 2026?

We have just finished Semiofest Porto and they just seem to get better and better! And like all great Semiofests, it wasn’t just the learning, the 22 presentations, two keynotes, workshop and client day, but the moments of fun and great conversations. The beautiful Casa Da Musica, walks in the city, views of the Douro: so many amazing memories.

But though we still have semio-saudade for Porto, our thoughts are already turning to the next face to face event. In your feedback form many locations were suggested, but we would now formally like to invite teams around the world to consider bidding to host Semiofest 2026. Do you want to bring the spirit of this great event to your city: for our 10th Edition? Since 2013, Semiofest has been run on a franchise model, so each year we invite a team to become local organisers. We are now looking for a new local organizing committee to step forward to carry this momentum forward into 2026! Making Semiofest bigger, better, with its own unique style or flavour… just like Porto 2024 did.

So, why host a Semiofest?

Here are 5 good reasons to consider it:

TO PROMOTE SEMIOTICS

You love semiotics, you believe in it…and you now want to help propagate its value

TO RAISE YOUR PROFILE

Semiofest is a great passion brand to add to your professional and personal profile

TO THROW A SEMIO-PARTY

To welcome a global community of professionals with your own unique signature

TO WIDEN YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

Enrich your network with personal and professional connections

TO SHOW OFF YOUR HOMETOWN

You know live in a wonderful city – so showcase its ‘signifiers’ to the world!

We cannot promise a financial reward to hosting, as a not-for-profit venture we are run on a volunteer basis. What we can promise, however, is a stimulating experience, collaborative working and the satisfaction of a brilliant event.

Here are some of the things previous organizers have said about their experience of having organized a Semiofest:​

“Semiofest has become my favourite professional community…So having contributed to one event is a real source of satisfaction. It helped grow my business.”

“It seems the event is improving year after year, so I feel very honoured of having held an event… It is easy, the committee is super supportive, you are not alone.”

“The most satisfying part of being a host was the sense that most people seemed to be having a great time and getting a lot out of it. I feel a lot of pride in pulling it off (with a lot of help from my friends).”

Every year since 2013 (excl 2014-2015) we’ve received at least 2 bids and one year we received 6! so we expect 2026 will prove as popular as ever. If you’re interested in putting in a bid from what you’ve read so far then pls read on:

Our process of selection:

 

The decision for the location of Semiofest, 2026 will be taken by the Board of Semiofest as well as the 12 hosts of previous editions who comprise our Advisory Council; this is the Selection Committee who will evaluate the bids.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the bidding process, the 12 criteria we apply in evaluating Semiofest bids and further details on how to go get started, then come and download a proforma:

Download proforma

The deadline for submission is Friday 18th October 2024. We commit to notifying all bidding teams of the result of our selection by the end of October 2024. Thanks for your attention and thank you for your interest in Semiofest.