Community post originally published on Medium by Maryam Tavakkoli
Having attended my first in-person KubeCon + CloudNativeCon in Amsterdam in 2023, I gained invaluable insights that differed from my previous virtual experiences. The transition to in-person attendance provided a unique learning opportunity, and I aim to share my knowledge to help you make the most out of your own KubeCon experience. Join me as I offer tips and advice to ensure you maximize your time at this renowned event.
Understand The Event Layout
Day 0: Co-Located Events
KubeCon EU 2024 is scheduled to take place from March 19th to 22nd in Paris this year. Although KubeCon spans four days, the initial day, known as Day 0, that is Tuesday, 19th of March, is reserved for co-located events. When purchasing your ticket, note that the All Access Rate type offers additional value, granting access to these co-located events on Day 0.
On 19th March, there are two distinct categories of events:
CNCF-HOSTED CO-LOCATED EVENTS
These community-driven, vendor-neutral events are hosted and managed by CNCF. They are included in the KubeCon + CloudNativeCon All-Access Pass and take place on-site at the main venue. For a full list of events click here and for the schedule of those here.
SPONSOR-HOSTED CO-LOCATED EVENTS
Hosted by level sponsors of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, these events are not included in the All-Access Pass. They may be either virtual or on-site and are held in venues separate from the main event.
Day 1–3: KubeCon + CloudNativeCon
The rest of the days from Wednesday to Friday are allocated to the KubeCon + CloudNativeCon talks. If you are attending from Day 0, don’t be surprised to see many more people on the following days, as not everyone attends the co-located events.
Personalize Your Schedule
Setting clear goals and selecting the sessions and programs you wish to attend is crucial for making the most of your KubeCon experience. If this is your first time attending, be prepared for the hustle and bustle of the event. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the schedule and identify the sessions that align with your interests. By planning and marking your must-attend sessions, you can navigate the conference with ease and ensure a rewarding experience.
The good news is that the KubeCon schedule features a user-friendly categorized filtering system, allowing you to easily find sessions tailored to your interests. You can filter sessions based on specific days and topics, making it convenient to locate the content most relevant to you.
Sched: The Mobile App
You can conveniently access the schedule through the mobile app called Sched, which proves to be incredibly useful during the conference. With this app, you can save and access your selected schedule directly on your mobile device, eliminating the need for the web version. Download the app from this link and stay organized throughout the event.
Daily Agenda
Keynotes
Every day kicks off with the keynote sessions. This year, as per the schedule, all keynotes will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 in the morning. These sessions are held in a large hall where all participants gather simultaneously. As you can imagine, this hall can get quite crowded, especially on the first day when everyone wants to attend the keynote and the opening remarks. Arrive early to ensure you secure a spot. You can easily filter the schedule for Keynote Sessions to check all the keynote sessions and their titles.
The Remaining Sessions
The remainder of each day is dedicated to various other talks, with multiple sessions happening simultaneously in different rooms. Given the size of KubeCon, with over 10,000 attendees, expect a large venue where you may need to walk considerable distances between sessions. It’s advisable to travel light and be prepared for extensive walking. Additionally, keep in mind that the session rooms may not be as spacious as the main hall for keynotes and can fill up rapidly. Arrive early to secure your spot.
Networking: The Key Component of Your Experience
While attending talks and expanding your knowledge might seem like the primary focus of your experience, networking is equally crucial, if not more so. Unlike talks, which can be accessed virtually later on, the networking opportunities at the conference are exclusive to your physical presence.
In the following sections, we’ll explore various strategies to maximize your networking experience at the conference.
Attend the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Last year at KubeCon EU in Amsterdam, I had the privilege of attending the diversity lunch, which turned out to be one of the highlights of my experience. I had the pleasure of meeting wonderful, like-minded individuals and engaging in enlightening discussions. We exchanged knowledge and experiences, and I gained valuable insights from our conversation. So, I would definitely encourage everyone to seize one of these opportunities:
EmpowerUs Breakfast
On Wednesday 20th March, there is a diversity breakfast happening from 08–09 in the morning.
Diversity + Equity + Inclusion Lunch Sponsored by Intel
On Thursday 21st March, there is a diversity lunch happening from 12:30 to 14:30 in the afternoon.
Experiences
There is a filter in the schedule called “Experiences” where you can find various opportunities for networking (and partying) listed in this category.
Solution Showcase
Every day from 10:30 in the morning, you can explore a large area in the venue where various CloudNative solutions have booths set up. Take the chance to visit different booths, engage with their presenters, and maybe collect stickers and other swag items! This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the current pain points and solutions in the Kubernetes and CloudNative market. You might even discover a solution that could benefit your projects and organization.
Project Pavilion
In the same area where the solution showcase occurs, there’s another section designated for projects called the Project Pavilion. Here, various CloudNative projects have booths where you can engage with maintainers, ask questions if you’re a user, or explore opportunities to contribute.
Contribfest
Contribfest sessions are 90-minute sessions specifically crafted to offer projects the time and resources needed to address technical debt, security concerns, or significant feature requests. These sessions serve as a collaborative space for maintainers, contributors, and potential contributors to come together and work on problem-solving. Whether you’re actively contributing to a project or looking to start, Contribfest provides an excellent opportunity to engage and make a difference.
Discover Your Motivation to Contribute
My journey of CNCF community contributions began with my first KubeCon experience. This event is both vast and exhilarating, and the community is incredibly supportive and welcoming. You’ll gain invaluable insights and expertise, as people are eager to share their knowledge if you simply engage with them. Even if you’re not considering contributions yet, the conference atmosphere might ignite your interest. Stay open to conversations and collaborations — you may find yourself drawn to a particular project or initiative.
Explore the City Beyond the Conference
Your KubeCon experience shouldn’t be confined to the conference venue alone. Take the opportunity to explore the city and make the most of your time in Paris. If you can spare some time, venture out and discover the city’s beauty beyond the conference walls.
Conclusion
In summary, it’s crucial to remember that attending KubeCon is not just about expanding your knowledge but also about building meaningful connections. Networking holds as much significance as attending talks, so be sure to allocate time for both. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Paris.
If you’re interested, you can read about my previous KubeCon experience here.
I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this article.
Let’s continue learning, sharing, and evolving together!
Until next time!