A First Time Attendees Guide to DrupalCon Atlanta 2025
This blog has been posted and edited with permission from Jennifer Montgomery.
DrupalCon is an exciting and invaluable event for anyone involved in the Drupal community, whether you’re a developer, website owner, or digital professional. If you’re heading to DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 for the first time, you’re in for a treat! Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your experience, along with some top tips for how to prepare.
Get to Know the Hyatt Regency Atlanta: Welcome to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the official venue for DrupalCon Atlanta 2025! Located downtown, our hotel offers easy access to the conference and local attractions. With over 180,000 square feet of versatile event space, including a stunning atrium, we’re ready to host your sessions, networking events, and meetups.
Enjoy modern accommodations, a fitness center, and on-site dining, plus nearby landmarks like the Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park. Whether you’re here for DrupalCon or to explore Atlanta, the Hyatt Regency is the perfect place to connect, collaborate, and relax.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Find Your Local Drupal Community: Did you know that there are smaller Drupal communities that get together, meet, help each other, and share experiences around the world? Communities are typically broken down by geographic area. There will be a designated area in the ballroom for local Drupal community members to meet up. There will also be ambassadors from each community who will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Plan Your Sessions in Advance: DrupalCon offers a packed schedule of keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, and contributions. As a first-time attendee, it can be overwhelming to choose between the many sessions on offer. Be sure to review the full schedule ahead of time and map out your must-see sessions. Don’t forget about the community networking events — they’re a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and share knowledge.
Take Advantage of the Expo Hall: The Expo Hall is where you’ll find all the key players in the Drupal ecosystem. Whether you’re interested in learning about the latest modules, tools, or services for your website, or you're looking to network with other professionals, this is the place to be. Make sure to visit the exhibitor booths and grab some swag!
Don’t Miss the After-Hours Events: DrupalCon isn’t just about sessions—it’s also about networking and having fun. After a long day of learning, be sure to check out the after-hours events. You’ll get to know your fellow attendees in a more relaxed setting. From Drupal meetups to informal happy hours, there’s always something happening in Atlanta.
Be Prepared to Learn and Grow: At DrupalCon, you’ll have access to experts, thought leaders, and professionals from across the globe. Take this opportunity to learn from the best, ask questions, and dive deep into all things Drupal. Whether you’re attending a session, workshop, or sprint, you’ll leave the conference with a wealth of new knowledge.
6 Top Tips for First-Time Attendees: How to Prepare
1. Plan Your Logistics Make sure to book your travel and accommodation well in advance. Atlanta is a popular destination, and staying near the convention center will make your experience more enjoyable. Use the official DrupalCon app to stay up-to-date on session schedules, map out your day, and connect with other attendees.
2. Find the New Member + Local Drupal Community Meeting Space DrupalCon is actually a gathering of lots of local Drupal communities. Find your local Drupal community in the New Member + Local Drupal Community Meeting Space. Use the area to meet new friends and enjoy DrupalCon activities together! Ambassadors from that local community will also be hand to answer questions.
3. Explore the Keynote Sessions One of the highlights of DrupalCon is the keynote sessions, where industry leaders share their insights on the future of Drupal and digital innovation. These sessions are a great way to kick off your DrupalCon experience and get a sense of the community’s direction.
4. Don’t Miss the Birds of a Feather (BoF) Sessions Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions are informal gatherings where you can discuss specific topics with other attendees who share your interests. Whether it’s a conversation about Drupal 10 or how to build better websites for non-profits, BoFs are a fantastic way to dive deep into niche topics.
5. Take Advantage of the Social Events Networking doesn’t end when the sessions do. Atlanta is known for its vibrant social scene, and DrupalCon will offer a variety of social events and meetups to help you connect with fellow Drupal professionals. Whether you’re at a local restaurant or a special after-hours event, be sure to engage with the community.
6. Focus on Skill Development DrupalCon Atlanta is a great place to learn new skills, whether you’re interested in backend development, front-end design, or site building. Take a mix of technical and strategy sessions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or dive into new areas of Drupal that you haven’t explored before.
How to Maximize Your Experience at DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 as a First-Time Attendee
Attending DrupalCon for the first time can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. With thousands of attendees, dozens of sessions, and plenty of opportunities to network, it’s essential to plan ahead. Here’s how you can make the most out of DrupalCon Atlanta 2025.
Understanding the DrupalCon Schedule: DrupalCon is packed with valuable content, but it can be hard to decide what to attend when there are multiple sessions happening at the same time. As a first-timer, try to balance between sessions that teach practical skills and those that offer a broader vision for Drupal’s future. The detailed schedule is available, so take time to prioritize based on your interests.
Attend the Mentoring Sessions: As a first-time attendee, you might feel overwhelmed by all the information, but don’t worry – there’s support available. DrupalCon offers mentoring sessions where you can get advice and insights from Drupal experts. These sessions are perfect for newcomers who have questions about modules, themes, or website development.
Network with Fellow Attendees: DrupalCon is an excellent opportunity to meet others in the community. Use the event to introduce yourself, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships. The easiest way to do that is find your local Drupal community in the New Member + Local Drupal Community Meeting Space. The best times to meetup are:
- Monday evening: Right before the welcome reception and walk over together
- Tuesday morning: Before the first sessions and keynote to plan for the day
- Tuesday afternoon: Right before lunch to sit and eat together
- Tuesday + Wednesday evening: Right before each social activity to travel together
Also, don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with speakers and exhibitors—DrupalCon is a community-driven event.
Participate in a Sprint: If you're a developer, participating in a sprint is one of the most rewarding experiences at DrupalCon. Sprints allow you to contribute directly to the Drupal project, collaborate with others, and hone your coding skills. Whether you’re new to Drupal or an experienced contributor, sprints are a fantastic way to give back to the community.
Take Care of Yourself: Attending a conference can be intense, so don’t forget to take breaks, stay hydrated, and find moments to relax. The sessions can be mentally taxing, so finding some downtime will help you recharge and stay focused throughout the week.
Haven’t Registered Yet? There’s Still Time!
If you haven’t registered for DrupalCon Atlanta 2025 (24-27 March) yet, now’s the time! Register today and join us in Atlanta!
We can’t wait to see you there!
