🍔 PyCon US, have it your way (you rule!)
Here is my PyCon US advice based on Trey Hunner’s Mastodon post:
What are some of your favorite @pycon tips? 💡
Reply and tag #PyConUS. 💖
Talks are recorded
Keep in mind that talks are recorded.
Seeing every talk at PyCon US while you are attending is impossible. There are five tracks with three days of talks. There will be times when the two or three talks you most want to attend will all be given during the same block. Or you aren’t used to talking to people all day and need extra sleep.
It’s fine. The talks are recorded.
Ignore PyCon US advice anti-patterns
Python developers often have firm opinions. Every year, there are several blog posts about why you should “only go to talks” or “only hallway track” when the rest of us will do both.
Don’t sleep on the first two days of the Expo Hall
The Expo Hall has sponsor booths for one reception evening and the first two days of talks. On the third day of talks, the Expo hall gets converted into a Job Fair with other events running, and it takes a lot of work to bump into people.
There have been some years where I never made it out of the Expo Hall for either day, even though I wasn’t working a booth. I have even watched lunch get carted in and carted out while talking with people because it’s a great location to meet new people and run into everyone you know online or from other conferences over the years. Don’t do that. Stop and eat lunch.
Take advantage of the first two days of the Expo Hall, even if you can’t make it to the opening reception. Say hi to sponsors, too.
Embrace JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out)
At my first PyCon US attendance as a board director, I didn’t know I was supposed to attend a dinner for PyCon US organizers. My plane arrived late, and I got pinged if I knew about it about 30 minutes after the dinner started. I did a quick check. It was a 20-minute walk in a city I just landed in, so I thanked them and told them I couldn’t make it.
Instead, I went to the hotel bar to get dinner at the bar. I wasn’t even staying in the main conference hotel. I made small talk with one of the other patrons, and they were not only attendees, but they just happened to be maintainers of a few of my favorite Python packages.
You’d be amazed at how many people you’d otherwise never have met, even when you feel like not saying anything on the beaten path.
Remember Burger King’s golden rule, “have it your way”
My six-year-old loves the Burger King “You Rule” commercials because of their TV jingle. Even though he’s never had their food, that doesn’t stop him from singing the ending chorus, “At BK, have it your way,” and then shouting, “(You rule!).”
You rule You’re seizing the day At BK, have it your way (You rule!) genius.com/Burger-ki…
While I can’t speak for their food, it’s good advice.
You rule
First, everyone likes a compliment and “you rule.” You probably don’t deflect a compliment when a TV jingle gives you one, so carry this into life the next time someone compliments you. Don’t deflect it.
You’re seizing the day
While PyCon US feels like a lot of days, it goes quickly. Take time to enjoy it. I have been to enough PyCons to know that jobs, careers, families, budgets, and health change.
At BK, have it your way
The only proper way to PyCon US is to “have it your way.” Go to the talks you want to see and talk to the people you want to talk to, but I encourage you to put yourself out there and meet new people.
(You rule!)
You rule!
(take the damn compliment)
Thursday May 16, 2024