FinOps X BCN 2024: What FinOps Professionals Can Expect in Barcelona

Were you a European FinOps professional who couldn’t make it to FinOps X San Diego 2024? Rejoice! FinOps X BCN is just around the corner, and it will specifically focus on your region in one of the most stunning and relaxing spots in the world.

Get ready for an event that blends FinOps-centric agenda and networking with the vibrant culture of Barcelona. We’ll give you the rundown with all the details about this year’s event, including dates, location,  topics, the general agenda, and even the top three restaurants you must visit while in the city.

What is FinOps x BCN?

FinOps x BCN is a top conference that gathers leading experts in the FinOps field. Attendees will learn how to implement FOCUS™, the new standard format for cloud bills, explore FinOps principles for managing technology expenses, including SaaS and on-premise solutions, and understand how FinOps teams collaborate with sustainability efforts and optimize AI costs in the cloud.

When and Where?

Event Dates

Mark your calendars for November 11-14, when FinOps x BCN 2024 will be held in Barcelona! The expo marks the annual time when FinOps professionals can connect with industry peers during networking, chalk talks, breakout sessions, and keynotes.

Location

The event will be held at the stunning W Barcelona, one of the premier hotels in the area. It is situated along the beautiful beachfront of the famous Barceloneta Boardwalk.

This is a luxury 5-star hotel, and you can see it—check out these photos!

Source: Marriott

Source: Marriott

Source: Marriott

Important Venue Info

This hotel is fully reserved for FinOps, which is exciting but can feel overwhelming. Here are some helpful notes to guide you.

Register First To Reserve A Room

To secure your hotel room, complete your FinOps X Europe ticket registration first. Upon payment completion, you will receive instructions for booking your stay. 

General Information: 

• Room Rates: Limited onsite rooms start at $454 per night, in addition to your conference ticket price. 
• Check-in: 3 PM on Monday, November 11 
• Check-out: 12 PM on Thursday, November 14 
• Additional Nights Must be booked separately through the hotel website. 

Cancellation Terms: Please review cancellation policies.

Catering at the Conference 

Your ticket includes many meals and beverages. The event also mentions accommodating dietary restrictions and allergens, so please inform hotel staff of any significant allergies before your meal.

Room Service & Amenities 

Room service will be available at standard hotel rates. The lobby bar opens for badged attendees at 11 AM each day. You can charge your bill to your room or pay directly.

Topics at FinOps x BCN

The Launch of FOCUS

FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification (FOCUS) kicks off a new FinOps phase in the industry. As this becomes the standard, there’s a growing need for effective implementation for successful cloud cost analysis. One of this event’s biggest priorities is teaching practitioners how to navigate this new standardization process to improve operational efficiency and reduce cloud waste.

Applying FinOps Principles Across Sectors

Organizations, FinOPs teams, and MSPs often manage multiple environments—cloud, hybrid, on-premise, and SaaS solutions. Registrants will learn how FinOps principles—traditionally focused on cloud cost management—can be applied to these diverse environments, helping companies gain control over spending and optimize value in all areas.

Balancing Cost with Cloud Sustainability

As companies face mounting pressure to decrease their carbon footprints, cloud sustainability has emerged as a vital priority alongside cost optimization. Sessions will focus on close collaboration between FinOps and sustainability teams so organizations can better evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of their cloud-related decisions.

The Rise of AI

AI technology can significantly reduce the manual workload of FinOps teams, but only if they are skilled in providing the right commands to optimize cloud costs. Dedicated sessions will allow attendees to enhance their AI knowledge to manage cloud expenses automatically.

Best Sessions to Check Out

Here’s a quick guide on which events to check out each day based on the conference topics so you don’t miss any crucial info to get the most out of your FinOps X Europe experience!

Monday, November 11:

• FinOps Foundation Office Hours – Ask Us Anything! (3:00 PM – 5:30 PM): This open forum offers a great opportunity for attendees to ask specific questions about FOCUS adoption, FinOps beyond public cloud, cloud sustainability, and FinOps for Ain a more informal setting.

Tuesday, November 12:

• Keynotes: Beyond Public Cloud, FinOps + Sustainability, FinOps for AI, FOCUS: This keynote discusses how FinOps principles are evolving beyond their traditional focus on public cloud infrastructure and highlights advancements in FOCUS™, FinOps practices for sustainability, managing AI costs, and applying FinOps to SaaS, hybrid, and on-premise environments. It serves as a comprehensive introduction to the event’s key themes.
• Address Carbon Footprint with FinOps (11:00 AM—11:45 AM): This session, led by Ferran Grau Horta, will explore cloud sustainability, making it a must-attend for understanding how FinOps principles help reduce carbon footprint.
• FinOps for AI Interactive Chalk Talk (2:30 PM—4:15 PM): This talk will take a deep dive into how FinOps can optimize AI workloads in the cloud, perfect for those focusing on FinOps for AI.

Wednesday, November 13:

• Cloud Sustainability Interactive Chalk Talk (11:00 AM – 12:45 PM): This session, led by Hans de Kruif and Mathijs Hendriks, will focus on cloud sustainability, helping attendees learn practical methods to balance cost with environmental goals.
• Beyond Public Cloud Interactive Chalk Talk (4:45 PM—5:30 PM): This session by Kevin George and Juan van Heerden will explore how FinOps concepts can be applied in hybrid and on-premise environments. It is for attendees interested in FinOps beyond the public cloud.

If you want to focus on content that aligns with this year’s conference themes, bookmark those sessions!

Top 3 Restaurants to Visit in Barcelona

After all the walking and sessions, you’ll likely be hungry, and luckily, you’re in a great spot to grab a bite. Here are our recommendats for the top restaurants offering a wide range of culinary experiences, from modern dishes to traditional Catalan cuisine.

Disfrutar

Renowned for its imaginative and innovative cuisine, Disfrutar was established by three chefs, including Albert Adrià, who previously worked at the legendary El Bulli. The restaurant embraces an experimental culinary philosophy, featuring playful dishes and a meticulously crafted tasting menu. It’s about a 20-minute drive or 30-35 minutes by public transport from the hotel, but the Michelin-starred experience makes the journey worthwhile.

Can Solé

For those who prefer a more traditional experience, Can Solé is a must-visit. Known for its delicious seafood and paella, this restaurant has served locals and tourists since 1903. Located in the Barceloneta district, it’s just a 10-15-minute walk from the hotel—perfect for unwinding after a day of learning and networking.

El Nacional

El Nacional provides a diverse culinary experience in one place. This multi-space venue includes several restaurants and bars, each focusing on a different type of cuisine. El Nacional has something for everyone, whether you’re craving tapas, seafood, or steak. Located on Passeig de Gràcia, a famous shopping street in the heart of Barcelona, it’s about a 15-minute drive from the W Barcelona or around 25 minutes by public transport.

Anodot at FinOps X BCN

FinOps x BCN 2024 is set to be a top-tier conference for anyone working in the industry. 2024 brought big changes to FinOps—like AI taking the spotlight, increasing worries about cloud carbon footprints, and a move toward FOCUS. This event offers a perfect chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts and thought leaders as we enter this new FinOps era together!

We’re excited to partner with you to implement these critical FinOps changes in your organization. Our platform’s upgrades are designed to address the key issues impacting the FinOps industry.

FOCUS: We support the launch of FOCUS 1.0 and are committed to ensuring it is reflected in our integration efforts. What does that mean exactly? Users can look forward to a streamlined data process, comparing amortized and actual costs and improved onboarding for new cloud providers. 

Cloud Sustainability: With continuous monitoring and deep visibility, businesses gain the power to align FinOps, DevOps, and Finance teams to reduce their total cloud bill and implement GreenOps strategies effectively.

FinOps & AI: Our CostGPT feature is an advanced generative AI cost analysis chatbot designed for FinOps professionals. Ask it anything about your cloud costs, and it will provide answers tailored to your goals and insights.

Will we see you there? We hope so! Book a meeting to pick our brains on our product features and how our platform supports a FinOps framework.

Or let’s meet up at one of those mouthwatering restaurants; discussions about FinOps go down more easily over delicious Spanish cuisine.