Two Stages One Vision (May 2024)

From our first trade show to reconnecting with our roots.

Thanks to the aws First program, we had the opportunity in May 2024 to run a free booth for two days at the 4GameChangers Festival in Vienna – our first real exhibition. Until then, TOURELLY had mainly lived online and through social media. Now we suddenly found ourselves among rising start-ups, investors, and media, with real visitors, ongoing conversations, and our small, honest booth.

We presented the same 3D-printed prototypes as at the Vienna Bike Festival – but this time with a banner, printed materials, and two days full of energy. Our focus wasn’t on selling or putting on a show, but on conversations, feedback, and honest impressions.

The response was extremely positive once again. Among the many encounters during those two days was one that would later become crucial: the TU Vienna. Back then it was just one interesting conversation among many – today it is one of our most valuable partnerships (more on that in a later blog).

Alongside the festival, there was also a pitch event by “2 Minuten 2 Millionen,” which we participated in – and shortly afterward, we even received an invitation to the TV show. We declined, because our focus remained on development, function, and product – not on exposure. That decision felt exactly right at the time.

Only about a week later came the second major event: the aws Pitch Night – a kind of reunion with the scene where everything had started for us. We pitched again, this time in a relaxed, familiar atmosphere, saw many familiar faces from the aws First program, and talked about progress, ideas, and setbacks.

We didn’t win – but we walked away with valuable insights. Those two weeks were intense, but they showed us how important it is to be present, to exchange ideas, to listen. Not every event brings a prize. But every conversation pushes us forward.