Inside Edmonton’s Drupal Meetup Revival: Organizers Share Goals, Challenges, and What’s Next

It’s been a quiet few years for Drupal developers in Edmonton. While the local scene once had momentum, with meetups and even full Drupal Camps, things slowed down. Now, two community members are stepping up to bring it back.

On April 30, 2025, a new Edmonton Drupal Meetup will take place at Sir Winston Churchill Square from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. It’s the first in what organisers hope will become a regular series, focused on reconnecting developers, introducing new tools like Drupal Starshot, and building a consistent local presence again.

Ahead of the event, The Drop Times spoke with organisers Sibu Stephen and Vy Nguyen to understand what’s driving this reboot. Their goal is straightforward: bring people back together, find new talent in the region, and, with enough support, eventually return to the kind of city-wide and provincial Drupal events Alberta used to host.

Rebuilding Edmonton's Drupal Community

There’s no fanfare here. Just a few people trying to restart something useful. And maybe get others involved along the way. Drupal meetups aren’t new to Edmonton. In the early 2010s, they were semi-regular fixtures, bolstered by Drupal Camp Alberta and scattered community-led events. But, like many grassroots efforts, momentum faded.

Now, Sibu and Vy are stepping in to change that. It's voluntary and organic. 

Sibu initially brought up the idea—he used to conduct meetups back in India (Pune meetups and Drupal camps)—and Vy already had some experience planning events, so both of them ran with it.

The aim is to restart regular monthly or bi-weekly meetups, focusing on re-engaging local developers and encouraging new contributors. If interest and support grow, the longer-term goal is to organise Drupal Camps at the city and provincial levels again.

“The purpose of this meetup is to reboot the Edmonton Drupal meetups on a regular basis. With this first event, we are trying to bring back the people and search for new talents around the Alberta region... our goal is to reach out for Drupal Camps at the city and province level again like we used to have in the early 2000s.”

The organisers collectively replied to TDT via email. 

What to Expect at the Meetup

The main session will focus on Drupal Starshot, a recent initiative aimed at making Drupal easier for site builders and more accessible to new developers. It’s intended as both an introduction and an open discussion.

“We may show a quick demo for new users and developers, and hear their thoughts around the product. And a brainstorming session with the audience.”

Sibu will lead the talk, aiming to cover the technical aspects while also leaving room for community input.

“Sibu will give an overview of Drupal Starshot as a whole and, in collaboration with the community, he will try to make it as technical as possible.”

Vy explained. 

Partnerships and Support

Two key local supporters are making the meetup possible. Dev Edmonton Society, a non-profit that supports tech events in the city, is providing the venue at Sir Winston Churchill Square. Vy had previously attended their events and reached out for help—they agreed immediately.

Northern Commerce is covering food and refreshments. The company recently absorbed Yellow Pencil, a longtime Drupal firm based in Alberta. Vy had worked there before and reached out to them for sponsorship.

“Their team has many talented Drupal folks and is very supportive of community events, so after Sibu suggested finding potential sponsors, Northern and Dev Edmonton Society both stepped up.”

The Drop Times as a Communication Channel

Organisers plan to introduce The Drop Times (TDT) as part of the evening’s agenda. The mention isn’t just informational—it’s part of a broader push to strengthen communication within the Drupal ecosystem. 

The organisers explained that the goal is to raise awareness about the publication and encourage attendees to use and share it as a platform for ongoing community involvement:

“This is to let people know more about The Drop Times and how it helps the Drupal community as a whole. It’s also a way to encourage more participation and show that we have channels for communication and collaboration.”

TDT is supporting efforts to restart local Drupal events around the world, with a goal of helping revive 100 meetups in the next two years. In Edmonton, we’re helping spread the word. By building stronger local communities, Drupal can stay relevant in a fast-changing tech landscape—and attract new contributors who can shape its future.

Planning for What’s Next

Before the evening wraps, attendees will be invited to share feedback through a short survey. The goal is to shape future meetups based on what the community finds most useful—whether that's hands-on workshops, guest talks, or informal networking.