DrupalCon Seattle: Where cutting-edge content, networking & contributing come together.

As you’re performing a cost-benefit analysis about attending DrupalCon Seattle- we have valuable feedback from DrupalCon attendees to share.

Each year, it’s the largest Drupal gathering in the world, which lends an air of excitement as people converge within a convention center, and often see name badges of people they’ve only met online in open source, thus transposing online interactions into interpersonal connections.

“DrupalCon brings in more than regional people. It was great to actually meet and talk face to face with people I've been working issue queues with/Slacked with for so long!” said Jonathan, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

Those who are part of the annual DrupalCon North America gathering — as attendees, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers — give three top resounding reasons for going: the outstanding content, networking, and contributing in person. In fact, more than 86% of past attendees say they received more value than expected by going to DrupalCon North America.

   Session Content

More than 90% of recent attendees say the quality content is why they attend—and DrupalCon Seattle is shaping up to have content-rich opportunities. More resources than ever have been dedicated to bring in top-notch speakers, as more funding is allocated to aid speakers in getting to the conference and to offer resources in order for diverse voices to be represented.

Another slight shift in this upcoming DrupalCon is that session duration times were changed up; you may just have the opportunity to fit in all the sessions that are of interest to you, particularly with the 30-minute, action-packed, content-filled sessions.

Take a look at the array of submitted sessions in the builder track — filtered by tags ranging from editor experience to PHP to big ideas — and 34 others. Visit this same link to select the lists of sessions submitted to the agency leadership and content & digital marketing tracks as well.  

And the quality of the information being presented continues to be carefully curated, primarily by dedicated volunteers in the Drupal community. It’s a pulse for what’s happening now, and where Drupal is headed.

“I gain so much at DrupalCon because it's so much information on a global scale.” noted Clare, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

And being in the room and absorbing new information lends to a greater exchange of information, whether it’s having lunch at the same table as a speaker, or asking questions of a presenter on the spot.

“I gain Drupal-specific knowledge and inspiration. There is high value in learning and asking questions,” says Quentin, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

Networking

You have the opportunity at DrupalCon to make new connections at every turn; while getting settled in at a session; refilling on coffee; walking from the host hotel...then joining up on LinkedIn, or chatting on a Slack channel. Meet peers in marketing this year as well; DrupalCon Seattle will be a convergence of builders, marketers, and agency leaders — and all get more out of Drupal by leveraging these cross-channel relationships and connections. These varied insights could result in perspective to move your project forward. “DrupalCon is great to meet people within the community and collaborate,” said Jared, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

Common stories of social events at DrupalCon North America abound, and being in the room(s) is what it takes to organically grow your industry connections, and even friendships amongst the camaraderie.  

“I feel DrupalCon has more value than other conferences. It has a direct impact on my career, amplifying opportunities through networking and education,” said Chad, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

The structured networking gets its kudos as well. Past attendees tout the value added by  exhibitors, and social events such as trivia night, Women in Drupal meetups, first-time attendee gatherings, and Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions. The array of offerings give a something-for-everyone feel.

“I leave energized for upcoming work with Drupal; BOFs and sessions are high quality; and seeing people throughout the community I don't see regularly is invaluable,” said Brian, a DrupalCon Nashville attendee.

    Contributing in Person

Have a seat next to your old online friend—in person! That may be just who you need to crack the code, so to speak. Being module-specific, gathering to brainstorm over a common thread often expedites processes and answers.

Friday of DrupalCon Seattle is for contribution; with contribution sprints (and a mentor option) and first-time contributor workshop. New this year, those in the Content & Digital Marketing Track can attend a ‘Promote Drupal’ workshop, covering topics such as usability of Drupal and cross-collaboration to form open source Drupal marketing collateral. No matter which track attendees choose, all are welcome.
“I truly understand how diversity exists within a community by being at DrupalCon,” explained DrupalCon Nashville attendee Rahki. “It’s a great platform to connect with complete strangers, with just one common love: Drupal.

The conference and the project is made powerful by the voices in the room. Secure your spot today.

Boss need convincing? Try our resources.