DjangoCon Europe 2015 update
2015's DjangoCon Europe will take place in Cardiff, Wales, from the 31st May to the 5th June, for six days of talks, tutorials and code. Here's what's new:
The dates
Hilariously, after seven months of planning, we were forced by a boy band to change the event's original dates. How we laughed.
Tickets
Tickets are selling well and the early-bird ticket rate will end in the next day or so. After that all ticket prices will go up by £50. They're still going to be exceptionally good value, given that it's a six-day event and that as well as talks it'll be packed with tutorials, workshops and clinics.
We also have 'donation' tickets - these will support the attendance of delegates on lower budgets, and we're proud to say that numerous people - including some people who can't even make it themselves, but still want to make a contribution - have bought them to support others.
About those workshops and clinics
At the time of writing we have...
For the open day (31st May)
- a Django Girls workshop
- a Python & Django for PHP programmers tutorial
- ...and other introductory sessions waiting to be announced
Alongside the sprints (4th and 5th June)
These are more advanced sessions. Some of them are on their own worth more than the price of the ticket for the entire conference. Come to DjangoCon and they're free.
- a Don't be afraid to commit tutorial
- Test-driven web development with Python
- Django & MongoDB
- The code doctor is in - a clinic for your code, with top Django programmers including numerous members of the Django core team
- PostgreSQL for Django Developers
- a Job-seeker's clinic - have your CV reviewed or sit a mock interview to improve your skills
- a React.js workshop for Python developers - little JS knowledge required
- an Elasticsearch with Django tutorial
- Heroku 101 - learn how to deploy your Django applications on Heroku's cloud platform
- Build your own project templates using Cookiecutter
- ...and still more to come
Would you like to offer a workshop or other session? We'd love to hear about it.
A free crèche
You provide the children, we'll provide the qualified professional childcare (registration is essential).
Live speech-to-text transcription
For the Deaf, those with hearing impairments or simply people whose first language is not English, there'll be live transcriptions of all talks (amongst other accessibility measures).
Speaker mentors
A number of experienced speakers have volunteered to be "speaker mentors", for anyone who'd like a bit of help, support or encouragement - preparing their proposal, reading over scripts and slide, even agreeing to be a session chair for them.
Keep the talk proposals coming
It looks like our efforts to improve diversity are helping: we've received a very decent number of excellent talk proposals from people who aren't the usual youngish white men. But, we still haven't had as many as we were hoping for - so keep them coming, and encourage others to submit theirs.
Whoever you are, please let us have your talk proposals. We're thrilled every time a new one arrives.
The deadline's on the 18th March, just four weeks from today.
Things you need to know
Accommodation
As soon as you know you're coming, please book your accommodation. Your organising committee chair is living in fear of another unannounced boy band.
Getting here
There's a lot of travel information, including detailed information about travel to Cardiff from half-a-dozen different airports. Make use of it; it could save you a lot of time and money.
And finally, sponsorship
A number of generous sponsors have already stepped forward, but we need more. Can you help? We'd love to hear from you. DjangoCon Europe is run entirely by volunteers, and every penny received in sponsorship will go towards making it the best event possible.
