Drupal GovCon 2024: The Heartbeat of the DC Drupal community

Drupal GovCon 2024, the nation’s premier conference for Drupal professionals and government IT experts, kicks off tomorrow at the Riggs Center, University of Maryland, in Washington, D.C. This free, three-day event, running from August 13 to 15, is set to unite leading minds in government, technology, and the open-source community to explore the latest advancements in Drupal, particularly within the public sector. 

While the conference has a strong focus on government applications, its reach extends far beyond, drawing a diverse audience from non-profits, educational institutions, and the private sector. With over 800 participants expected, Drupal GovCon 2024 offers a rich lineup of educational sessions, contribution sprints, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for anyone involved in Drupal and technology.

As the official media partner of the event, The DropTimes had the privilege of speaking with the organizers to gather their insights and expectations for this year's conference. Their reflections highlight the event’s significance as a platform offering an enriching environment of collaboration and innovation, this free event invites attendees to learn, share, and advance as a unified community.

Building on Momentum

The organizers of Drupal GovCon 2024 have set clear and ambitious goals for this year's event. 

"Our main goal for Drupal GovCon 2024 is to maintain the momentum from last year’s successful return to in-person attendance post-COVID," 

said Nina Ogor, one of the event's organizers. This momentum is crucial, as the conference has always served as a vital platform for government employees, developers, contractors, and others to share ideas, network, and learn. Nina emphasized the importance of ensuring that the event continues to facilitate these interactions, which are key to its ongoing success.

One of the significant highlights of this year’s event is the focus on Drupal Starshot, an initiative aimed at invigorating the Drupal community and providing a clear path forward with robust community support.

"We also aim to highlight Drupal Starshot, which seeks to invigorate the Drupal community and provide a clear path forward with robust community support." 

Nina added, signaling a strategic direction that aligns with the broader goals of the Drupal ecosystem.

Selection and Reviewing Process

In terms of session selection, the organizers have utilized the Sessionize platform. Further, the session selection team will go through and rank the sessions based on four different criteria;

1. How relevant the topic is to attendees
2. The appeal of the session to a diverse audience
3. If the topic is original, high-impact, or cutting-edge
4. Usability of the leanings from the session after the events, i.e., if it can be referenced in the future and is evergreen within the Drupal eco-system 

"The criteria are slightly different for each reviewer, which leads us to a very wide range of topics, speakers, and takeaways," 

explained Patrick Koroma, highlighting the depth and breadth of content that attendees can expect. 

A Diverse and Inclusive Event

The event's organizers have gone to great lengths to ensure that Drupal GovCon 2024 is as inclusive and representative as possible. Kirsten Burgard, another key figure in the event’s planning, explained the rigorous and thoughtful process used to select sessions and speakers. 

"We actively look for reviewers who are representative of our diverse attendees. We send out a call for speakers to as wide an audience as possible, not just within the Drupal or government community." 

Kirsten noted. 

The organizers seek speakers through listserv posts, social media outreach, visits to other camps and conferences, and in-person conversations. The review process, which involves no less than nine people, ensures that a wide array of voices and perspectives are included.

"After the sessions are selected, we make the effort to ensure that our selection is as equitable as possible, by looking at not only who the speaker is or how many times they have spoken, but their involvement within the community at large." -Kirsten Burgard

A New Venue and High Hopes

This year, the event is being hosted at a new venue, the Riggs Center at the University of Maryland, after previously being held at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda. The transition was not without its challenges, particularly with timing. 

"We were on an extremely compressed schedule due to finding our event venue rather late," 

Nina shared, reflecting on the logistical hurdles that were overcome. The venue was shifted from the historical location following the demise of a dear friend, James King.

"It is bittersweet, but we’re hoping that at some point in the future we might return to NIH". -Nina Ogor

Despite these challenges, the organizers are optimistic. The Drupal GovCon had previously peaked with over 1,000 attendees at the National Institute of Health facility, but unfortunately, the numbers have diminished after the pandemic. 

Chris O’Donnell expressed his excitement about the new venue, stating, 

"We’re super grateful to the University of Maryland for making their Alumni Center available to us. This year is going to be the best yet!"

Beyond the Sessions

Drupal GovCon has always been about more than just sessions and presentations—it's about the connections made and the community that grows stronger each year. This year’s conference will feature 67 sessions across nine tracks, including hands-on training and Birds of a Feather (BoFs) sessions that foster informal discussions and peer learning. However, social events are where some of the most meaningful connections are forged. 

"Some of the best conversations that happen at a conference are the serendipitous moments that are not planned. As a conference organizer, it’s important to leave space for this both at the conference itself and at the after-parties. The after-parties give attendees space to connect with sponsors, speakers, and each other in an informal and welcoming environment. We’re lucky to have some great organizations host some amazing events this year! We cannot wait!" 

said Nneka Hector, underscoring the value of these networking opportunities.

Drupal GovCon 2024 features several social events, starting with the Coffee BoF on Tuesday, August 13, at 10 am, organized by the Drupal Coffee Crew. That same evening, Acquia is hosting the Drupal GovCon Community Party from 6-8 pm at The Hall CP. On Wednesday, August 14, the Blacks in Drupal Breakfast will take place from 9-11 am, offering a gathering space for Black professionals. Later, Pantheon will host S3: Snacks, Strikes & Socializing from 5-7 pm, providing a fun environment for networking and bowling.

As Drupal GovCon 2024 kicks off, it's clear that this event is not just a gathering but a significant milestone for the Drupal community, particularly within the government sector. With its strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion, the conference continues to be the pulse of the D.C. Drupal community and a driving force in the future of e-governance.

For those attending, the experience promises to be enriching, not just in terms of knowledge gained, but in the relationships built and the shared commitment to advancing Drupal’s role in the public sector. As Luisa Gallego aptly put it, 

"It’s the connections that we make – and not just for ourselves, it’s the connections that our attendees, sponsors, and speakers make! We’ve made great friends, got new business, learned new technologies, and more!"

Unable to make it in person? Don't worry.

Kevin Thull confirmed that the sessions will be recorded by him and Bob McDonald through the Drupal Recording Initiative and will be posted on drupal.tv shortly after the event.

For more information on Drupal GovCon 2024 visit the official event website.