Token2049, the annual conference dedicated to Web3 and the crypto community, is set to begin tomorrow, April 18. However, there may be some unexpected obstacles as the city of Dubai has been hit with an unusual amount of rain, causing chaos in the usually dry desert metropolis.
Typically, Dubai only receives about 9.5cm (approximately 4 inches) of rain in an entire year. However, in just a span of 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday evening, the city has already seen close to 15cm (about 6 inches) of rainfall. The streets have turned into rivers, cars are submerged, and even the airport runways have been flooded, causing flights to be diverted and leaving conference attendees trapped in their hotels.
Dubai International Airport, which is the second busiest airport in the world with 87 million passengers, has even advised travelers not to come – a first for the desert nation. Despite these inconveniences, the Token2049 conference is still scheduled to proceed as planned. Organizers are hopeful that the weather will return to its usual state for this time of year, with clear blue skies and temperatures around 30°C (86°F), allowing the city to recover quickly.
Cointelegraph’s reporter, Ezra Reguerra, is on the ground in Dubai to cover the event and has shared some astonishing videos of the city after the storms. The conference itself will take place at the Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai from April 18-19, 2024. It is considered one of the premier global events for the Web3 and crypto community, and this year marks the first time it is being held in Dubai.
Tickets for Token2049 sold out well in advance, and it is expected to attract around 10,000 attendees from over 4,000 companies and 100 countries. The agenda is packed with various topics, including decentralized AI, Web3 gaming, DeFi, and blockchain scalability. In true Dubai fashion, the event will also feature exhibitions, live DJ sets, and top-notch hospitality.
Token2049 actually kicked off on April 15 with a week-long series of meetups, workshops, and parties. The second Token2049 event of the year is scheduled to take place in Singapore in September.