Send us a text

Irina Nazarova, head of Evil Martians, shares insights on Rails' enduring value in the startup ecosystem and her journey from Rails user to keynote speaker and community organizer.

• Rails and Y Combinator grew simultaneously, with 90% of early YC startups building on Rails
• Rails helps startups focus on business risks while keeping technology risks under control
• The community still thrives with over 900 Ruby meetups worldwide in the past 12 months
• Flexport's migration from 30+ Java microservices to a Rails monolith demonstrates pragmatic possibilities
• Local meetups create consistent opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration
• Finding companies using Rails in your area is key to building successful local meetups
• San Francisco Ruby Conference launches November 19-20 with early bird tickets at $300
• Conference will focus on new tooling, open source (including AI), and scaling Ruby and Rails
• CFP is open until July 13th at sfruby.com

Use code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com.

Send us a text

David Hill chats with Erin Pintozzi about her journey from anxious first-time attendee to mentor and guide in the Ruby conference community. They explore the Scholar and Guide program, overcoming conference anxiety, and finding unexpected connections while navigating tech events.

• Meeting through mutual connections at RailsConf Detroit
• Experiences as a Scholar Guide at RubyConf and preparing for the upcoming RailsConf
• Overcoming anxiety at Erin's first RailsConf in Minneapolis while pregnant
• Three key pieces of advice for first-time conference attendees: permission to be uncomfortable, flexibility with plans, and sitting with strangers at lunch
• Teaching at Turing School of Software and Design since 2021
• Surprising new passion for chicken-keeping and potential "Chicken on Rails" apps
• Excitement about the upcoming RailsConf Philadelphia and encouragement for first-time attendees

If you or your team wants to learn the latest Ruby on Rails features, Hotwire, Ruby and more, check out GoRails.com. Use code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off.

Send us a text

We 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 Central

Feel 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 text

Rocky 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 builders

Rocky 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 text

Marty 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 you

Use code ODETORAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com

Send us a text

Chris 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 conferences

Use code ODE2RAILSCONF at checkout to get 10% off at GoRails.com

Send us a text

Aryn 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 text

A 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!