In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Danny Thompson, Director of Technology at This Dot Labs, sits down with Vincent Mayers, a seasoned tech conference organizer with over 15 years of experience. They discuss the intricacies of running successful conferences, including the challenges of selecting event locations, building community engagement, and creating memorable experiences for attendees. Vincent also shares insights into the evolution of tech conferences, from the importance of shorter talks to the value of the "hallway track" for networking. Tune in for an inside look at how these events shape the tech ecosystem and tips for organizing your own conferences!
Chapters
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 01:45 - Vincent Mayers' Background
- 03:50 - Choosing Conference Locations
- 06:10 - Building Community and Spreading the Word
- 08:40 - Sponsorship and Funding Challenges
- 11:00 - Securing Speakers for Tech Conferences
- 14:20 - Improving the Conference Experience
- 16:30 - Badge Design and the Attendee Experience
- 18:50 - Engaging Attendees Beyond Talks
- 21:00 - The Role of Tech Conferences in the Java Ecosystem
- 23:12 - Attendees Still Using Older Java Versions
- 26:00 - Balancing Cutting-Edge Tech with Fundamentals
- 28:15 - Evolving Attention Spans in Tech Conferences
- 30:00 - The Importance of the Hallway Track
- 33:19 - Closing Remarks
Follow Vincent Mayers on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/vincentmayers Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmayers/ Github: https://github.com/vincentmayers
Sponsored by This Dot.
