So, I am not an onsite conference maiden anymore. Wow, that sounded pretty weird, but I did not want to use the word virgin. I was finally able to join a conference onsite, not remote. And I am so doped about it. Still.
Let me tell you about my experience in the next couple of posts. But let me give you some context.
Every year, I scour through the world wide web in search of a UX/UI Design conference that I can attend. I prioritize what I find, because it would be hard to decide if I did not.
Topic
First priority
These would normally be about design systems, interaction, UI, and accessibility. And for this year anything AI related as well.
On-site
Second priority
I have had a tendency to go on site because I have never been. And I generally like to see other places.
Location
Third priority
Anywhere in Europe is fine because travelling is easier, and it would not be too far. But Japan or the US would have been okay too.
This year, the scouring and planning and decision making was done together with 2 other best colleagues of mine. Shout out to Rici and Lies here!
We had 5 on our list. Interaction 2023 and UX Copenhagen not sure why the image shows 2024 btw got voted out because Lies was skiing on both dates. UX Nordic was also out of the list because the topics were not interesting to all 3 of us. So it was down to UX Vienna or The Hatch conference.
We preferred the Hatch over UXCon Vienna because of the topics, but weren’t sure because of the “invite-only” policy. Still, we applied. Lies and Ricarda got invited. I did not. But luckily they were allowed to have plus one.
Tickets, hotel accommodations and train tickets were booked. Plans were made. Everything was set.
And so, a month ago today, I was travelling to Berlin by train to join my first ever on site conference. It took me about 7.5 hours. I was exhilarated! I mean I have been living in Germany for almost 17 years now and I have never had the chance to see Berlin. And the fact that I get to join a conference, listen to talks that pique my interest as well as meet like-minded people and network was huge. Plus I get to enjoy a couple of days with colleagues I consider close friends as well.
On October 2 at around 4pm, I arrived in Berlin. The 3rd was a public holiday so we walked around Berlin. The masterclass with Brad Frost happened on the 4th. The 5th was another day of exploration. And on the 6th was the conference. On the 7th we all travelled back.
I shall talk about the 2 days separately in my next posts, so that you will not get bored with this long wall of text. But the experience was really great. I had an awesome time, learned new things, got to meet people who finally know what I am talking about, and see and enjoy Berlin.
Currently starting to look at what 2024 has to offer when it comes to conferences!
Silke 