Government interest in open source also stood out. Dries noted that digital sovereignty is becoming a priority across regions, positioning Drupal well for long-term public-sector growth. On the ground in Nara, the commitment felt real. The city’s mayor, Gen Nakagawa, opened the event by stating his goal to make Nara the most Drupal-friendly city in the world. It is rare for municipal leadership to tie open source directly to civic strategy, and it captured the tone of the week.
Beyond the sessions and the packed YouTube playlist, the Drupal CMS leadership team used the conference as a working sprint to align on priorities for the next six months. Agencies and end users shared where they need support, shaping the product roadmap. The result is a community that feels focused, confident, and ready for another cycle of growth.
