The Bike Shed 466: All about keynotes with Aji Slater
Jun 24, 2025
Aji Slater, a Thoughtbotter and keynote speaker at the final RailsConf, shares his experiences and insights on crafting compelling keynotes. He reminisces about past RailsConf events and highlights the vibrant community surrounding the conference. Aji discusses the importance of authenticity in presentations and offers tips for engaging storytelling. The conversation also touches on fostering connections with attendees and the dynamics of keynote selection, all while building excitement for the upcoming RailsConf in Philadelphia.
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Keynote Secured via CFP
- Aji Slater got his keynote slot at RailsConf by submitting a strong proposal through the regular CFP process.
- His longtime involvement and rapport with the community helped secure the keynote opportunity.
Keynotes Drive Community Dialogue
- Keynotes serve as punctuation points in ongoing community conversations.
- They inspire attendees to continue discussing topics during and after the conference sessions.
Conferences as Temporary Communities
- Each conference forms a small, temporary community with shared experiences.
- Keynotes create common points of reference that unify the audience during the event.