How to host a side event at NVIDIA GTC 2027
To host a side event at NVIDIA GTC 2027 (March 15–18, San Jose), choose a format, secure a venue near the convention center, and start inviting guests six to eight weeks ahead. Sobremesa does all three for B2B companies. We fill an executive dinner or a side event with senior buyers, founders or investors who match your ICP, and you approve every seat. Brief us by January 18, 2027.
Key facts
| Conference | NVIDIA GTC 2027, March 15–18, San Jose McEnery Convention Center and downtown venues |
|---|---|
| Who is in town | 30,000 attendees from 190 countries at GTC 2026 |
| Formats we run | Executive dinner, side event, startup pitch competition |
| Guests | Curated to your ICP; you approve every seat |
| Pricing | Flat fee per event, quoted after a 30-minute brief |
| Paid separately | Venue, catering, photography, transport, printed materials |
| Lead time | 6–8 weeks. Brief by January 18; last call February 1 |
| Guarantee | Pro-rata refund if agreed ICP guests are not delivered |
Why host a side event at GTC instead of only a booth?
A side event gives you two to three hours with people you chose, and a booth gives you seconds with whoever walks past. GTC 2026 had 435 sponsors and exhibitors competing for the same aisle traffic. A room of named decision-makers produces conversations your sales team can follow up the next morning.
Which format fits your goal?
| Format | Best for | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Executive dinner | Enterprise deals, named accounts | One evening, one table, off the record |
| Side event | Category visibility plus pipeline | Two to three hours, short program |
| Pitch competition | VCs and platforms that want startup deal flow | Half day, jury and finalists |
What is the timeline for GTC 2027?
Start in January. Venues near the convention center book out early, and senior guests fill their GTC calendars weeks ahead.
- By January 1830-minute brief on target titles, companies and account list
- Late JanuaryVenue confirmed, senior anchor guests secured and shared with you
- FebruaryInvitations go out; you approve every seat
- One week beforeConfirmed guest list delivered
- March 15–18You host under your brand
- Within 48 hoursEnriched guest profiles and buying signals in your CRM
How does Sobremesa fill the room?
We secure a few senior anchor guests first and build the rest of the room around them, conference momentum and targeted outreach. Your founders and sales leads attend as hosts. Sobremesa stays invisible unless you want us introduced.
Where should a GTC side event be held?
Hold it within walking distance of the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Guests will not cross the Bay between sessions. Downtown San Jose restaurants with private rooms work for dinners; larger side events also run in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Mountain View. We source and negotiate the venue; you pay it directly from a pre-agreed budget.
FAQ
Independent side events are not organized through NVIDIA. "NVIDIA" and "GTC" are NVIDIA's names, so describe your event as taking place "during GTC week", do not use NVIDIA logos, and state that the event is not sponsored or endorsed by NVIDIA.
No. Our events are off-site and invitation-only, so guests need only your invitation.
No. Many hosts skip the booth entirely and put the budget into one curated room.
We charge a flat fee per event and quote it after a short brief. Venue and catering are paid separately from a budget you approve. Teams that prefer paying on results can choose a reduced fee plus a per-lead component.
February 1 is the practical last call for a dinner. After that, the best venues and the most senior guests are usually committed.
Yes. You approve every seat and receive the confirmed list at least one week before.
Enriched attendee profiles, notes on what each guest is working on, buying signals and drafted follow-ups, exported to your CRM within 48 hours.