Smashing Conference

What Smashing Conference does

Smashing Conference (SmashingConf), operated by Smashing Media AG and headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, runs a portfolio of boutique in-person conferences and live online workshops for web designers, front-end developers, and UX/product practitioners. Its conference format is intentionally small-scale: single track, 12 curated speakers, 300-600 attendees per event, held across recurring European venues (Freiburg, Antwerp, Amsterdam) and New York, with pre/post-event hands-on workshop days. The online workshops product line runs approximately 15+ live sessions per cycle on topics including modern CSS, accessibility, design systems, Figma workflows, and AI interface design, with video recordings, slides, and Q&A delivered through the Vi.to platform.

The business monetizes through one-time ticket sales (conference tickets at €599, workshops at €549-599, online tickets at $200-300), tiered bundles (conference + workshop bundles saving €100; 5× Tickets Bundle saving $500), and an annual Smashing Membership subscription providing up to 25% off tickets. Sponsorship revenue from a tiered partner ecosystem (Gold sponsors Tito, Jam Session hosts Figma/Q42/Fabrique, plus minor sponsors including Microsoft Edge, Twilio, zeroheight, mittwald) and scholarship/volunteer programs (20 discounted student/non-profit tickets per event) round out the model. The company is privately held, founder-led (Vitaly Friedman is prominently featured as creative lead), and self-funded with no disclosed venture capital, M&A, or institutional investment.

Name

Smashing Conference

Legal name

Smashing Media AG

Website

https://smashingconf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Smashing Conference (Smashing Media AG) operates boutique single-track web design and development conferences in 4 cities plus a global online workshops platform, serving UX designers and front-end developers with curated talks, hands-on workshops, and an annual membership subscription.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Conferences and Workshops

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Association Conferences (MPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Keywords

• Web design conferences
• Front-end workshops
• UX training events
• Design systems education
• Professional development conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Tickets: In-person conference tickets sold at various price points including early-bird rates (e.g., $200 early-bird online, $250 early-bird online general). Conference fee of €599 for Amsterdam 2026. Tickets include access to talks, side events, after party, and networking.
2. Workshop Tickets: Full-day hands-on workshops priced at $599 per workshop (e.g., Design Patterns For AI Interfaces). Workshops offered pre- and post-conference. Bundle tickets (conference + workshop) available at discounted rates.
3. Smashing Membership Subscription: Annual membership providing up to 25% discount on conference and workshop tickets. Membership fee supports ongoing community engagement and content.
4. 5× Tickets Bundle: Bundle of 5 conference tickets available at $500 savings off individual pricing, targeting teams and group purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smashing Conference organizes in-person conferences and live online workshops for web designers and developers. In-person conferences follow a single-track, two-day format with 12 curated speakers and 300–600 attendees, complemented by hands-on pre/post workshop days. Online workshops are live, multi-session courses (typically 2.5 hours each) covering CSS, UX, accessibility, design systems, and AI interfaces, delivered by named industry experts and accompanied by video recordings, slides, and Q&A.

Product overview

Smashing Conference operates as a multi-format educational platform for web designers and developers, consisting of two core offerings: in-person conferences held in major cities (New York, Freiburg, Antwerp, Amsterdam) and online workshops accessible globally. The in-person conferences are single-track events with 12 speakers, 300-600 attendees, and practical hands-on workshops. The online workshops component provides live sessions with recordings, covering topics like CSS, UX design, accessibility, design systems, and AI interfaces. Both offerings are supported by bundle discounts, scholarship programs for underrepresented groups, and volunteering opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smashing Online Workshops: Online workshops for front-end and UX professionals, featuring live sessions, video recordings, and practical exercises.

Products and services

• SmashingConf In-Person Conferences Single-track, two-day friendly and inclusive conferences for web designers and developers, with 12 curated speakers, 300–600 attendees, plus optional hands-on pre/post workshop days and networking side events.
• SmashingConf Online Workshops Live online workshops for designers and front-end developers, structured as multi-session courses (typically 2.5 hours each) with video recordings, slides, Q&A time, homework, and personal feedback from expert instructors.
• SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026 Design-focused in-person conference scheduled for April 13–16, 2026 at Pathé Tuschinski (Reguliersbreestraat 26-34, 1017 BL Amsterdam), including 4 days with 6 practical workshops and 2 conference days with 12 speakers for around 550 attendees.
• SmashingConf New York 2025 Front-end and web development in-person conference held October 6–9, 2025 at Microsoft Conference Center, 11 Times Square, 5th & 6th Floor, NY 10036, with 8 practical workshops and 2 conference days featuring 12 speakers for 300–400 attendees.
• SmashingConf Freiburg 2025 Web-focused in-person conference held September 8–11, 2025, with 2 workshop days and 2 conference days featuring 12 speakers for approximately 300 attendees.
• SmashingConf Antwerp 2024 UX and web design in-person conference held October 28–31, 2024, with 6 practical workshops and 2 conference days featuring 12 speakers for 500–600 attendees.
• Design Patterns For Complex UIs and Enterprise UX Workshop Two-session online workshop by Vitaly Friedman covering complex UI design patterns for enterprise applications, including mega-menus, search UX, filtering, tables, and B2B interfaces, for UX and design professionals.
• Design Patterns For AI Interfaces Workshop Five-session online workshop by Vitaly Friedman on designing better AI experiences beyond conversational UI, covering daemons, clustering, style lenses, and structured presets for designers working on AI interfaces.
• Figma MCP Masterclass Single-session online workshop by Christine Vallaure on Figma MCP (Model Context Protocol), covering design tool integration and automation for designers using Figma.
• Accessibility for Designers Workshop Four-session online workshop by Stéphanie Walter covering accessibility principles and techniques specifically tailored for designers.
• Cascading Style Systems: Resilient & Maintainable CSS Workshop Five-session online workshop with Miriam Suzanne covering modern CSS architecture including cascade layers, container queries, and CSS resilience, for front-end developers.
• Live UX Training — Smart Interface Design Patterns Eight-session comprehensive UX training course by Vitaly Friedman covering interface design patterns with practical exercises and expert instruction, for UX practitioners.
• Scholarship Program Free conference tickets provided to underrepresented individuals in tech, including LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and those facing economic or social hardships; applications are submitted via Google Form and travel/accommodation are not covered.

Quantifiable outcome

• Attendees gain practical, actionable skills applicable immediately to their work across 2 conference days and full-day pre/post workshops
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered jam session & wifi sponsor, workshop partner, community partner, minor, jam session host and gold & jam session sponsor.

• Q42jam session & wifi sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Q42 is a Dutch digital product agency with 120+ creative technologists building apps, websites, connected devices, and AI applications for clients including Philips Hue, HEMA, and Rijksmuseum. Q42 co-hosts the Amsterdam 2026 Jam Session with Fabrique, providing the venue, lightning talks, and networking space the night before the conference.
• Fabriquejam session & wifi sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Fabrique is a Dutch design collective on a mission to make every experience resonate deeply. They embrace projects that challenge convention and spark curiosity. Fabrique co-hosts the Amsterdam 2026 Jam Session with Q42, providing the venue for lightning talks and networking.
• Communication and Multimedia Design (HvA)workshop partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Communication and Multimedia Design (CMD), affiliated with Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, trains creative designers who create digital products for complex societies. They are a Workshop sponsor and host 'The Web You Want' free event on April 17, 2026.
• Ladies That UX Amsterdamcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Ladies That UX (LTUX) Amsterdam is a non-profit community empowering women in User Experience, with over 5,000 members. Part of a global network of 90+ chapters across 50+ cities. Serves as a community partner for SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026.
• Dutch Digital Designcommunity partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Dutch Digital Design (DDD) is a community bringing together the best Dutch design agencies and showcasing Dutch digital design excellence. Serves as a community partner for SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026.
• Microsoft EdgeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Microsoft Edge sponsors SmashingConf Freiburg 2025 and NY 2025. Provides web browser-related content and visibility as a partner.
• Neon MoiréminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Neon Moiré is a curated event guide focused on graphic, digital, and interaction design conferences. Serves as a media partner for SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026.
• EuroTechJobsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026Europe-wide job platform for software, engineering, and tech innovation. Serves as a media partner for SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026.
• DevITjobsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 April 2026UK-based IT job board focused on transparency, openness, and diversity in the IT market. Serves as a media partner for SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026.
• Figmajam session hostGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2025Figma hosts the Jam Session warm-up event at their NYC offices (33 West 23rd Street) on October 6, 2025, the night before the conference. Provides venue, lightning talk stage, drinks, and snacks. Figma is also a topic of workshops (Figma Deep Dive, Figma MCP Masterclass).
• Interledger FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2025Interledger Foundation sponsors SmashingConf NY 2025.
• Browser Choice AllianceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2025Browser Choice Alliance sponsors SmashingConf NY 2025, promoting browser diversity and choice.
• Bits&LettersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2025Bits&Letters sponsors SmashingConf NY 2025.
• TwiliominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2025Twilio sponsors SmashingConf Freiburg 2025 as a technology and communications platform partner.
• zeroheightminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2025Zeroheight, a design systems documentation platform, sponsors SmashingConf Freiburg 2025 and NY 2025.
• mittwaldminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2025Mittwald, a German web hosting and server provider, sponsors SmashingConf Freiburg 2025.
• Virtual IdentityminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 September 2025Virtual Identity, a digital agency, sponsors SmashingConf Freiburg 2025.
• Titogold & jam session sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2024Tito is a small event registration software company based in Dublin, Ireland. They process over €520 million worth of tickets for thousands of event organizers worldwide. Tito is a Gold & Jam Session sponsor of SmashingConf Amsterdam 2026, hosting a lunch session on the product journey from rewrite to launch.
• PàuminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2024Pàu is a partner of SmashingConf Antwerp 2024.
• Netcompany-IntrasoftminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2024Netcompany-Intrasoft is a partner of SmashingConf Antwerp 2024.
• GS JJminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2024GS JJ is a partner of SmashingConf Antwerp 2024.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UX London: UK-based conference and workshops for UX practitioners covering research, design, and strategy. Directly comparable in audience (UX/product designers), format (workshops + talks), and European geographic orientation to SmashingConf.
• An Event Apart: Long-running US-based conference for web designers and developers with a similar single-track, curated-speaker format. Historically the most direct competitor to SmashingConf in the premium web design conference niche (ceased operations in 2024 but brand remains the benchmark).
• CSS Day: Netherlands-based conference focused specifically on CSS, run with a single-track, deeply technical format similar to SmashingConf. Targets an overlapping front-end developer audience and operates in adjacent Benelux geographies.
• JSConf: Family of community-run JavaScript conferences held globally (JSConf EU, JSConf US) with single-track formats and curated speakers. Overlaps significantly with SmashingConf's front-end developer audience and independent, community-led ethos.
• Web Directions: Long-running web design and development conference series (Australia-based) covering HTML, CSS, JS, and design systems. Similar curated single-track format and audience overlap with SmashingConf's web practitioner focus.
• Config (Figma): Figma's annual design conference targeting product designers and design systems practitioners—the same core SmashingConf audience. Compares directly on theme (design systems, Figma workflows) and is co-hosted with Figma, a SmashingConf partner.
• Beyond Tellerrand: Independent, boutique European conference for web designers and developers with single-track talks, curated speakers, and side events. Strongly comparable in format, audience (web/UX/design), and intimate scale to SmashingConf, particularly in the DACH and Benelux regions.
• Render Conf: UK-based conference for front-end developers covering performance, accessibility, and modern web technologies. Single-track curated format and audience overlap (front-end developers, designers) make it a direct peer to SmashingConf's technical tracks.
• Clarity Conf: Boutique design systems conference featuring curated talks on design system strategy, tokens, and component architecture. Targets an overlapping SmashingConf segment (design systems practitioners) with a similarly small, focused format.

Broad incumbents

• O'Reilly Conferences: Large-scale, established technology and design conference producer (O'Reilly Velocity, OSCON) targeting enterprise developers and designers. Overlaps with SmashingConf's audience but at much greater scale, broader scope, and corporate training orientation, making it a broad incumbent in the same professional learning space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SmashingMagazineVideos
• Xx.com/smashingconf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smashing Conference