More than 2,000 tech geeks from 46 countries descended on Paris for the #1 Internet event in Europe. I longed to be among them! So close, yet so far away. My “sure thing” tickets from one of LeWeb‘s Gold Sponsors did not materialize and the last minute ticket price shot up to an absurd 2.000 euro per person (on the official site, not even ticket scalpers).
Instead of a trip to Paris, my Le Web experience was live streamed on the wall of our office in The Hague. Ustream is an amazing free service that broadcasts events in real time to the world, but Le Web by beamer light was no substitute for spending a few days in the City of Light.
Honestly, my colleague Lisa and I probably followed the speakers on the main stage more closely from the office than we would have Live at the event. But the opportunity to meet our online heroes and mingle with the participants was sorely missed!
The good news is that you can catch many of the Le Web video highlights (and lowlights) on Ustream.tv. Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter, officially opened the LeWeb with his launch of much hyped new payment service, Square.
Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan delivered the keynote and created a buzz. She is the reigning most web savvy monarch. She effectively uses social media to connect with people and promote her causes, such as One Day One Goal. (Video below)
If you have a daughter, sit down together to watch the video of Ms. Google, Marissa Mayer, in action. She really knows her stuff and is an amazing role model, true talent and incidentally worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
If you consider yourself more corporate than start-up and even if you aren’t interested in tech or social media, Zappos Chief, Tony Hseich is required viewing for everyone! Tony talks corporate culture and happiness!
If you are still asking why social media, buy Trust Agents for yourself for Christmas and watch Chris Brogan on Trust.
Danah Boyd, Sociologist of the Internet and Microsoft Researcher presented an interesting perspective on visibility. Society is quick to blame the internet for creating problems like bullying, but research shows that the internet only makes the problem more visible, and the problem has actually decreased.
Tim Ferris delivered actionable tips to implement and test on your website and the message, never stop tweaking
Gary Vaynerchuck @leweb - The highlight was Gary pushing Loic to walk the walk and make LeWeb more interactive than one way presentations! Good point, it was bizarre to listen to 2 days of speakers without any Q&A from the crowd, (Loic doesn’t count).
Chris Brogan moderated a panel of experts on how brands and companies have to shift to “real time” marketing.
Lowlight alert. Late in the afternoon on day 2, there were two panel discussions on the main stage, both featured only angry white men. First, the Europe gang moaned about how much greener the grass is in The Valley than in Europe! Personally the whining was annoying, and I waited in vain for the panel to mention the lack of entrepreneurial spirit in Europe as a critical success factor.
The next panel, the Gillmor Gang, was even more painful to watch. If you insist, I recommend mute. Their arrogance and grumpiness are clearly conveyed with their sourpuss faces alone, no sound required!
Queen Rania’s Keynote:
Photo Credit: Bewilder2009
Suzy Ogé is an American born business woman living in The Hague, The Netherlands. 
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It was great to be able to watch LeWeb at the office but lets save the date and go ‘on site’ next year! Gary was my favorite and by far