Josh Goldberg, a conference organizer passionate about developer tools, and Dimitri Mitropoulos, a champion for inclusivity in tech, discuss the upcoming SquiggleConf. They dive into the significance of developer tooling, reflecting on how the pandemic reshaped tech events. The duo shares insights on organizing conferences, fostering inclusive environments, and encouraging diverse speakers. They emphasize community engagement and the delightful quirks of the TypeScript community, all while reminding us of the importance of clear communication and documentation in tech.
The founders of SquiggleConf recognized a demand for a dedicated space to discuss web development tooling during a pivotal car ride conversation.
The conference aims to enhance developer experiences through diverse topics such as documentation practices, tool accessibility, and socializing tools within teams.
SquiggleConf is committed to inclusivity, with 40% of speakers from underrepresented groups and initiatives promoting accessibility and community support.
Deep dives
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The Birth of Squiggle Conference
Josh Goldberg and Dimitri Metropolis, both passionate about developer tools, initiated SquiggleConf following a shared desire for a dedicated conference focused on web development tooling. They realized the need for such a space during a car ride, where conversations sparked ideas about creating a broader platform for discussing various languages and tools beyond the JavaScript-centric conferences. The conference aims to serve as a home for tooling enthusiasts, fostering discussions that will help developers across multiple languages enhance their understanding of performance measurement, testing, and debugging. SquiggleConf reflects a commitment to bringing together diverse voices in the development community.
Catering to Developer Tooling Enthusiasts
The focus of SquiggleConf is not only on technical talks but also on the broader context of how tooling impacts development workflows. Presentations will cover a variety of topics, including documentation best practices, tools to improve accessibility in development, and methods for successfully socializing tools within teams. This diverse array of subjects aims to engage developers of all experience levels, encouraging them to explore areas they may not have previously considered. By highlighting the importance of these adjacent skills, the conference seeks to enhance the overall developer experience in a meaningful way.
The Community-Focused Conference Experience
SquiggleConf emphasizes inclusivity and support within the developer community, aiming to create a welcoming environment for all attendees. The organizers committed to ensuring diverse representation with approximately 40% of their speakers being from underrepresented groups, fostering an inclusive atmosphere. Additionally, the conference will incorporate volunteer opportunities and scholarship programs for communities in need, driving home their values of accessibility and support. Through these initiatives, the organizers hope to cultivate a sense of belonging and empowerment among attendees.
Sustaining Developer Engagement Post-Pandemic
The landscape of tech meetups has shifted significantly since the pandemic, with many organizers facing challenges in maintaining engagement. The organizers of SquiggleConf acknowledge the difficulties in drawing senior developers to these events, as many have reduced their participation or shifted their focus post-COVID. However, they emphasize the importance of creating engaging content and facilitating community connections to inspire developer involvement. This holistic approach to community building aims to reestablish momentum while offering flexible opportunities for those interested in sharing their experiences and skills.
Nick is joined by Josh Goldberg & Dimitri Mitropoulos to discuss SquiggleConf, a new conference focused on web dev tooling. We explore the motivations behind creating a conference dedicated to developer tools, the challenges of organizing both conferences and local meetups, and strategies for building engaged tech communities.
We also discuss the importance of developer tooling, the pandemic’s impact on tech events, and share insights on encouraging new speakers and creating inclusive environments & more!
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