Ode to RailsConf

Send us a textWe welcome Shan Cureton, Ruby Central's new Executive Director, who shares her entrepreneurial background and vision for the organization's future. Shan brings fresh perspectives on strengthening open source sustainability, increasing community engagement, and ensuring Ruby's legacy continues for the next generation.• Founded a tech-enabled ride service for students that grew to 60 drivers across 80 zip codes• Discovered Ruby Central after working in corporate social responsibility and immediately connected with the community• Currently on a "90-day listening tour" to understand community needs before implementing changes• Plans to increase visibility of Ruby Central's role in powering open source beyond conferences• Aims to bring youthful energy back to Ruby through outreach to students and startups• Shared public speaking tips from her experience as a communications professor• Looking forward to her first RailsConf and meeting community members in person• Post-RailsConf plans include a regional meetup tour and developing a three-year strategic roadmap• Creating new social impact initiatives to bridge the digital divide and expand Ruby's reach• Emphasizes this is just the "end of a phase" with exciting new developments ahead for Ruby CentralFeel free to contact Shan on Slack or email with feedback, project ideas, or partnership opportunities. She welcomes everyone to say hello at RailsConf!

Send us a textRocky Mountain Ruby Conference organizers Spike Ilaqua and Becky Freeman share how they revived this regional event and why smaller tech conferences create uniquely valuable community experiences.• Rocky Mountain Ruby started in 2010, ran until 2017, then was revived after the pandemic• The conference builds on Boulder's strong Ruby community, including regular meetups and an active Slack channel• Small regional conferences create more intimate experiences where attendees can meet everyone• The "Pac-Man rule" encourages conversation circles to always leave space for newcomers to join• Single-track programming and community lunches help foster connections between attendees• Volunteering at conferences provides an immediate icebreaker and helps overcome social anxiety• Making eye contact, smiling, and joining pre-conference activities helps newcomers build connections• Conference organizers benefit from mentorship and learning from experienced community buildersRocky Mountain Ruby returns to Boulder, Colorado on October 6-7, 2024. The CFP will open in late May/early June, and tickets will be available in July. Submit talks at rockymtnruby.com.

Send us a textMarty Haught, Director of Open Source at Ruby Central, shares insights on securing the Ruby ecosystem and the evolution of community spaces at tech conferences.• Ruby Central's open source program focuses on three key areas: security, reliability, and sustainability• Pre-compiled binaries for native extensions are coming to RubyGems to eliminate supply chain attack vectors• Hack Spaces at RailsConf are evolving with two-hour blocks to allow maintainers to interact more freely• Evening code parties could provide structured socializing opportunities for solo conference attendees• The EU Cyber Resilience Act will become the "GDPR for cybersecurity" affecting commercial software by 2026• Companies will need to produce Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) and track vulnerabilities in open source dependencies• Ruby Central is participating in working groups to help shape implementation of new security regulations• Getting involved in open source is a marathon - find projects that genuinely interest youUse code ODETORAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com

Send us a textChris Oliver joins us to discuss his experience co-chairing the final RailsConf and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize a major tech conference.• Co-chairing RailsConf with Ufuk was an opportunity too good to pass up for the final Rails conference• Site visits to Philadelphia's Sheraton included evaluating spaces for keynotes, breakout rooms, vendor areas and social events• This year attendees will explore Philly for lunch rather than having catered conference meals• Reading Terminal Market is just a 10-minute walk from the venue with incredible food options• The CFP process involved reviewing 250 submissions to select just 29 talks• Initial proposal reviews were anonymized to reduce selection bias• Creating the conference schedule required balancing competing talks across three simultaneous tracks• Booking rooms at the conference hotel supports the event financially and creates more networking opportunities• Meeting people at conferences is easier when you remember everyone shares a passion for Ruby and Rails• Ruby Central maintains critical infrastructure including RubyGems and Bundler beyond organizing conferencesUse code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com

Send us a textAryn Chapman joins us to discuss the vibrant journey of planning RailsConf, highlighting the dynamic collaboration with Ruby Central. She provides an insider's perspective on how event production creates incredible experiences for attendees. • Engaging with Ruby Central for event production • Understanding event logistics and planning strategies • Importance of local culture in shaping conferences • Creating opportunities for attendees to explore Philadelphia • Fostering community through creative engagement at events • Celebrating the legacy of RailsConf as it nears a conclusion Come to RailsConf! 

Send us a textA heartfelt discussion unfolds as we reflect on the significance of RailsConf and what it represents within the Ruby community. Aji shares his journey from a first-time attendee to a program committee member, revealing the growth and connections he’s made along the way. We dive into personal anecdotes that highlight the community's spirit, from the importance of hallway conversations to unforgettable nights spent developing talks with fellow speakers.- Exploring first experiences and impacts of attending RailsConf - Discussing the role and responsibilities of the program committee - Sharing memorable moments that highlight community bonds Thank you for being part of our community and sharing your journey with us!

Send us a textA heartfelt look back at the RailsConf community and Rhiannon Payne’s journey from an enthusiastic attendee to the marketing director at Ruby Central. We explore the lessons learned and what’s on the horizon for this final RailsConf.- Introduction to Rhiannon Payne and her role at Ruby Central- Journey from RubyKaigi attendance to Ruby Central marketing director- Challenges faced leading up to RubyConf and lessons learned- Excitement and expectations for the final RailsConf celebration- Personal stories that highlight the community spirit of RailsConf- Ruby Central’s initiatives for local meetups and the future of RubyWe encourage you to support the community by attending RailsConf and sharing your experiences! 

Send us a textWe dive into the heartfelt experiences of Jim Remsick in the Ruby community, exploring the intricate world of conference organization and the importance of authentic relationships in the tech space. Our conversation highlights Jim's insights as co-chair of RubyConf, paving the way towards the upcoming RailsConf.- Discusses the responsibilities of co-chairing a conference - Emphasizes the genuine connections built within the Ruby community - Shares personal reflections on success and community involvement Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a review and share it with your friends!

Send us a textA joyful journey through decades of RailsConf experiences highlighted the importance of community within the Ruby ecosystem. Memories of past conferences, along with the pivotal roles of attendees in shaping the Ruby landscape, showcase the essence of collaboration and connection.• Introduction and sponsorship • Fable Tales shares her journey and first memories of RailsConf • Discussion on the evolution of RailsConf and its community impact • Insights into Fable’s role at Ruby Central and conference organization • Impact of the pandemic on community gatherings and interactions • Final reflections on what RailsConf means for the Ruby community today 

Send us a textThis episode features an enlightening conversation with Allie Vogel, the operations manager at Ruby Central. We explore how community engagement fuels the Ruby ecosystem through meetups, support programs, and memorable experiences at RailsConf. • Discussion on the importance of Ruby Central • Insights on meetup grants and how they support local communities • Reminiscing impactful experiences from past RailsConf events • Allie's perspective on the future of RailsConf • Tips for those looking to organize Ruby meetups • Closing thoughts on the value of storytelling in the Ruby community The CFP submission deadline is coming up very soon. Please be aware of the various time zones as they will play a critical role in submitting your materials on time.