Alyssa Nicoll

There was a point in my career where I traveled roughly 75% of the year. All to speak and attend developer conferences. It was a lot but I did love it. I still love connecting with developers in person. I love the conversations that happen after I get off stage, over coffee, in the hallway, or because someone wanders up to a booth with a very specific problem they’ve been thinking about for three weeks. But the toll of THAT much travel is just too much on myself and my family rhythm. And I honestly think there is only so much awareness/engagement that can and should happen in person, to be truly meaningful. I 1000% do not think an event has to be massive to earn a spot. Actually, some of the best events I’ve been to have been smaller ones where the community vibes were just on point. The kind where people actually talk to each other, speakers stick around, conversations continue after the sessions, and you leave with new ideas AND new people you want to keep talking to. I’m looking for: a genuinely great developer community interesting technical conversations opportunities to teach / speak / contribute, not just show up ---> and an event that feels worth getting on a plane for <--- So if you had to choose developer conferences to attend/speak at next year, which ones would make your top 4?