Drupal Mountain Camp 2024: Tech, Thrills, and Alpine Adventures Await in Davos!
Who wouldn't want to enjoy scenic views on a mountain, especially in Switzerland? The opportunity to do so, coupled with the Drupal Mountain Camp, is nothing short of exciting. From March 7-10, 2024, the Drupal community will gather in beautiful Davos for the fourth edition of Drupal Mountain Camp.
Organized by a team passionate about Open Source tech, this long weekend promises workshops, coworking sessions, and a chance to breathe in the fresh wintery air of the Swiss mountains. But it's not just about tech; participants can also indulge in snowboarding, skiing, sledging, fondue, and more!
Kazima Abbas, sub-editor of The Drop Times, got a chance to connect with the organizers. Sinduri Guntupalli, one of the organizers, facilitated connections with others and provided some great updates from the camp. Dan Lemon, the lead organizer for Drupal Mountain Camp 2024, also known for co-leading the volunteer track team at DrupalCon Lille 2023 and DrupalCon Prague 2022, shared some valuable insights. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, and working for Amazee Labs as a team lead and full-stack developer, Dan provided essential details about the Drupal Mountain Camp venue.
When asked about the venue's accessibility and recommended transportation options for attendees, Dan emphasized,
"Drupal Mountain Camp 2024 will be held in the Davos Congress Centre, 'the place where leaders meet,' surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains—an extraordinary venue for extraordinary events. Most famously known for hosting the annual World Economic Forum (WEF), it is guaranteed by Swiss excellence.
"Participants will have access to 3 session rooms and 1 sprint room throughout the conference. Enough space to allow everyone to mingle and network in the lounge area with sponsored exhibition tables."
Speaking about transportation to Davos, Dan recommended taking the train from Zurich, a central hub for many international flights. He also highlighted the option to fly to Basel or Geneva, acknowledging that while it might take slightly longer to travel by train to Davos from these locations, the Swiss public transport system ensures easy access across the country. Known for its accuracy, it operates like a Swiss watch, offering outstanding scenic views that will leave you breathless.
Not only is Davos a hub for Drupal insights, but Dan suggested that it also offers participants the chance to explore picturesque landscapes at over 1560 metres (5120 feet) in elevation. With stunning alpine views, the town becomes the perfect location for enjoying a day or two of active winter sports. From skiing and snowboarding to ice skating and winter hiking, there's plenty for sports enthusiasts to indulge in. Dan highlighted that the town boasts numerous wellness spas for those seeking relaxation. Davos truly becomes the place where endless opportunities await you.
We specifically asked Dan about nearby accommodations and any special arrangements for attendees travelling from outside the area.
"Davos is a very small town, you can walk from “Davos Dorf” to “Davos Platz” in under 45 minutes. The congress centre is practically situated in the middle between the two ends of the narrow town.
Those who wish to stay as close to the venue as possible, can opt for the official hotel opposite the venue, “Kongress Hotel Davos”, or select a nearby location such as “Hotel Edelweiss”.
Those who wish to stay closer to the nightlife, should opt for a hotel near to Davos Platz, such as “Hotel Grischa” or “Hotel Alte Post”.
The organizers have planned a series of engaging social activities to complement the conference, turning it into a week of shared adventures.
The festivities kick off with a welcome evening apero, providing the perfect setting for participants to break the ice and forge connections. From sledging and fondue up the mountain to ice skating and mini-golf on ice, a diverse range of activities cater to everyone's preferences. For those who have the time, staying around on Sunday, March 10th, offers the chance to enjoy skiing or snowboarding together, creating lasting memories against the picturesque backdrop of Davos.
But the excitement doesn't end there—Drupal Mountain Camp 2024 also hosts a smaller "pre-conference" for those seeking a week of co-working amidst the snowy landscape. It's a unique opportunity to blend skiing and coding each day, combining work and play in a truly spectacular setting.
We sought insights into what will make this edition stand out from its predecessors, which Dan mentioned,
"With this being our fourth edition, we’re accustomed to providing one of the best conference experiences for the Drupal community. In this year’s edition, we’re branching out to attract sessions relating to Symfony, Laravel, React, Vue.js and more. With seven tracks, there’s something for everyone."
He also underlines the distinct charm of this edition. Previous feedback emphasized the exceptional social activities that distinguish this event from standard conferences, and the team is committed to delivering yet another fantastic experience.
At the heart of Drupal Mountain Camp is a focus on memorable social activities. According to Dan, participating in nighttime sledging down the mountain after indulging in traditional Swiss fondue has been a key highlight in past editions—an adventure you won't want to miss!
In discussing the marketing strategy, it was mentioned that this year's efforts are spearheaded by Sinduri, leading a robust team. Their non-stop efforts are focused on pushing content across all networks. New Mastodon and Instagram accounts have been created to enhance outreach and directly connect with the target audience.
Dan shared a glimpse into what's brewing for Drupal Mountain Camp 2024, shedding light on the lineup of keynote speakers and featured sessions.
Keynote Speakers:
- Tearyne Almendariz: Empowering DevOps Teams and their advocates, one deck at a time.
- Jutta Horstmann: Former Managing Director (COO, CTO) at eyeo, Open Source Expert, Software Engineer, CEO/Founder Data in Transit GmbH.
- Preston So: Senior Product Management and Developer Relations Leader.
Featured Sessions:
- "Configuration validation, how we got here and what is in the future” by Joris Vercammen.
- “Bringing Mautic and Drupal closer together in an open DXP” by Dominique De Cooman.
- Workshop: “Ask your Drupal site questions and get proper answers” by Fred Kroket.
The schedule is evolving daily, with the expert and diverse track team actively reviewing each session to ensure the very best content for the conference.
When asked about the current enthusiasm in the Drupal community for the upcoming event, Dan shared,
"Those who have attended Drupal Mountain Camp before know what the experience is like, and they’ve either already booked off their time to attend the conference or they’ve cursed at their boss questioning why they can't take a few days off to come back to Davos.
From announcing the conference in DrupalCon Lille, newcomers have reached out to get an idea of what to expect, however words can’t do it justice. You really have to attend to see it and experience it in person to truly understand."
In addressing the initiative for Diversity and Inclusion Funds for Underrepresented Voices at Drupal Mountain Camp, Dan highlighted the plan devised by diversity representatives Sinduri and Josef.
For those interested in supporting the cause, Dan mentioned,
"People who would like to donate towards the fund can sponsor a diversity ticket directly on the tickets overview listing.
People in need of inclusion benefits can register their name on our Diversity and Inclusion form.
Sponsors can also provide additional funding towards the diversity and inclusion scheme."
Dan further expressed gratitude to sponsors and companies supporting Drupal Mountain Camp. He emphasized their crucial role in making the event possible.
"Our conference is driven primarily by sponsors, without them, we would not be able to host such an event in Davos. We’d like to thank our Diamond sponsor, platform.sh for providing us with their generous support that will go a long way."
Dan extended a heartfelt thanks to the Diamond sponsor, Platform.sh, for their generous support that significantly contributed to the event's success. Additionally, he acknowledged the Gold sponsors, Liip and DropSolid, for ensuring the smooth running of the conference.
Recognizing the valuable support from Silver sponsors, including soul.media, Unic, HappyCoding, MD Systems, and Joinbox, Dan highlighted their essential contributions.
Dan also highlighted the availability of remaining sponsorship packages. This serves as an invitation for additional support for Drupal Mountain Camp 2024. The collective backing from sponsors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and accessibility of the event for the Drupal community.
We encourage everyone to consider attending Drupal Mountain Camp 2024. It's a fantastic opportunity to be part of an enriching experience. As media partners, we'll be sharing timely updates from the camp. We hope you can join and enjoy the valuable insights and networking opportunities Drupal Mountain Camp offers.
As we conclude this article, a special note of appreciation goes to Sinduri Guntupalli for her invaluable assistance in providing details and updates and guiding us through the intricacies of Drupal Mountain Camp. We sincerely thank Dan Lemon for sharing insightful answers and contributing to the comprehensive coverage of this exciting Drupal community event.
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