At the recent DrupalCon North America 2023 in Pittsburgh, more than 1,500 Drupal enthusiasts gathered to explore new ideas, share knowledge, and strengthen the community. As CEO of Seed EM, I had the privilege of attending and want to share with you some notable thoughts on the innovation and impact of this event on the Drupal community.
I. Innovation as a path to success:
One of the important milestones at every DrupalCon is the Dries Note, Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, always strives to deliver a “state of Drupal” to community members and this year he emphasized the importance of continuous innovation in the tecnologic world. At Drupal, evolution and innovation are essential to stay ahead and meet the changing demands of our users and customers. As Dries said, "the drop is always in motion." If we stop progressing, we risk falling behind. In this link you can see the keynote: https://dri.es/state-of-drupal-presentation-june-2023
II. Fostering collaboration and common vision:
One of the most inspiring parts of DrupalCon North America 2023 was the Q&A session moderated by Dries, featuring Tim Doyle, CEO of the Drupal Association, and Baddý Breidert, Chair of the Drupal Association Board of Directors. They discussed the association’s strategic goals and actions taken to drive product innovation. This collaboration between community leaders and members is critical to building a common vision and working together toward a more innovative future.
III. Jumping innovation curves:
Dries also spoke about the importance of jumping the “S-curves” of innovation. Drupal has proven its ability to adapt and lead, jumping from one growth curve to another over the years. This has been made possible by our clear vision and purpose, community collaboration, a supportive environment, and the time given for ideas to flourish. At DrupalCon North America, we were able to see how this approach has led to innovative and exciting projects, such as Decoupled Layout Builders, JSON data, schemas FTW, and Drupal API Client, among others.
IV. Recognizing innovation in action:
A highlight of the event and truly a new model that is projected to reward and sponsor contributors of innovative projects, was the Pitch-burgh competition, in which participants presented their innovative Drupal ideas. It was interesting to see how five outstanding projects were selected to receive funding and make their ideas a reality. These projects, such as Using Drupal Gutenberg towards easier use of an enterprise CMS and Contributing and Mentoring, represent the willingness and dedication of the Drupal community to drive innovative solutions and continuously improve the platform.
V. Strengthening Drupal Con as an event:
As DrupalCon North America continues to evolve and grow, it has become a central event for the Drupal community. This year’s massive and enthusiastic attendance is clear evidence of how the event has grown stronger over time. With each edition, it has become more diverse and global, attracting professionals from different countries and cultures. In addition, the focus on innovation and collaboration has boosted the quality and relevance of talks, workshops and presentations. The Drupal community comes together to exchange ideas, share experiences and make meaningful connections, which has led to an exponential growth of networking and collaboration opportunities.
The growth of Drupal Con as an event is also reflected in the increase in sponsors and funding granted to innovative projects through competitions such as Pitch-burgh. These investments demonstrate the industry’s recognition of Drupal as a solid and evolving platform.
VI. Celebrating the beauty of Pittsburgh and inclusive social events:
You can’t talk about DrupalCon North America 2023 without mentioning the beauty of the host city, Pittsburgh. With its rich industrial history and booming art scene, Pittsburgh provided an inspiring environment for innovation and the exchange of ideas at the event. Attendees had the opportunity to marvel at the iconic bridges that cross the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, and explore the diverse neighborhoods and parks that make Pittsburgh a vibrant city.
In parallel to the conference schedule, DrupalCon North America 2023 also offered a series of integrative social events. Parties organized by leading companies in the Drupal ecosystem, such as Acquia and Pantheon, gave attendees the opportunity to relax and socialize in a welcoming and festive atmosphere. These events were key moments to establish new connections, strengthen existing relationships and share experiences with colleagues around the world. The integration and camaraderie at these parties reflected the collaborative and community spirit of Drupal.
Additionally, a highlight of DrupalCon North America 2023 was the exclusive dinner for Drupal Agency CEOs. This event brought together leaders from well-known agencies in the Drupal community, providing a platform to share ideas, discuss common challenges, and establish strategic collaborations. The dinner allowed for a valuable exchange of perspectives and experiences, fostering growth and synergy within the Drupal agency ecosystem. The strengthening of Drupal Con as an event over the years demonstrates its importance as the epicenter of the Drupal community. With each edition, the event has become more diverse and global, attracting professionals from different countries and cultures. The focus on innovation, collaboration, and shared vision has driven the success of DrupalCon North America and will continue to be the foundation for future editions.
It is always a pleasure to share the experiences of Drupal Con and we equally love sharing what we learn with our clients and allies. At SeeD we are increasingly supporting the growth of the community and polishing our skills permanently.