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.