I regularly get on my team’s nerves by saying: 'Go to conferences!'

Real-life interactions with engineering teams are crucial for a developer's growth. I frequently repeat the same advice to new members of my team. I decided to write this article to summarize what I keep repeating.

On Stage Presentations: Beyond the Doc

Let's kick things off by diving into the world of presentations as we launch our own events named “Fork It!”. Yes, they often start off with a sales pitch vibe, aiming to convince you to jump on board with the newest tech or product. It’s true that speakers use their time to shine a light on their own brands. But hey, while in some industries you might end up on a yacht, at tech conferences the flashiest thing you’ll get is probably a t-shirt or a cool gadget!

But the really great talks? They go much deeper. It's all about showing the "how" more than just telling you "why", Great speakers don’t focus on selling their tech but on sharing their experience, explaining the problem they faced, which led them to work hard on a product they want the world to use. Good presentations equip you with real-life experience and knowledge you can actually use when you get back to work. This type of real, hands-on learning is what we’re all about at “Fork It!”. We focus on people willing to share their own experiences and how they worked hard to solve a real-life problem, being famous or not, we focus on skill and experience.

Presentations that dive into real-world applications are the ones you’ll want to make time for. They provide insights that you simply can't pick up from the documentation. Seeing how speakers describe solving actual problems helps you quickly grasp both the benefits and the limits of their tools. This is what makes conferences so valuable – the learning is direct, useful, and really fast, making it a great first point of contact with new tech.

After the talks wrap up, it’s your chance to mingle and chat directly with the teams. When the mic goes off, you get a real sense of the company culture. Sometimes you’ll hear success stories, and other times, not so much. For example, when looking for a job, feedback from users and employees is useful for understanding the company's culture. While a good product might seem appealing, it’s important to know if the work culture and environment are a good fit.

Knowing the behind-the-scenes details can help you see if they align with the brand image. Getting to know the team personally is one of the real benefits of attending conferences.

Reality Check: Polished Presentations vs. Reality

Another big plus of conferences is the opportunity to really get to know the people behind the products. This interaction can help you better understand their company culture and vision. During Q&A sessions, feel free to ask tough questions and really get a feel for who the people behind the products are. While at huge conferences you could be intimidated taking the mic in front of a thousand people. At “Fork It!”, we keep things cozy with no more than 200 people, so don’t be shy—grab the mic and ask something that adds value for everyone, in the spirit of building a community. A good conference is all about sharing knowledge, which is exactly why we started human sized events.

If you come to a “Fork It!” event, make sure to engage with other attendees because that’s how you get a reality check. Honest feedback from other users often reveals strengths and weaknesses of products that company reps might not admit to. This first-hand info is gold, especially for businesses that need to know if a solution really works in the real world.

Meeting IRL Human Beings

When the official presentations are over, that’s when the real magic starts. Those informal, invaluable conversations among attendees can be the highlight of a conference.

Internet Interactions Sometimes Suck

The online world can be tough, right? People often get divided, and the loudest ones usually take over, which can make things pretty hostile. 99% of the aggression you can find online never happens in real-life where people are more nuanced and civilized. That’s why stepping into a real-life conference feels different. Here, the vibe is more about teamwork and getting together, not fighting over differences. Our space is all about sharing ideas freely, away from the usual online drama.

IRL Meetings are Nourishing

There’s something about meeting people face-to-face that you just can’t get online. When you’re actually looking someone in the eye, laughing together, or nodding along with what they’re saying, you build a real human connection. At a “Fork It!” event, you’ll meet folks from all sorts of backgrounds—engineers, founders, CTOs, and recruiters—all bringing their own skills and stories. These aren’t just chats; they’re chances to get inspired and boost your own skills.

“Business” and “Networking” are not Dirty Words

Some people might think that terms like "business" and "networking" are all about sales tactics. But here’s the straight talk: at “Fork It!”, we understand that techies sometimes focus so much on the tech that they forget about making connections. But building relationships is key. Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards. It’s about forming real relationships that can support you, open up opportunities, and lead to teamwork that could change your career. That’s why we try to mix tech insights with business know-how.

We really value the connections that form when people come together. It’s not just about the tech; it’s about the people you meet. Whether you’re a newbie or a regular, the special moments often happen in those casual chats between sessions. Take a chance, start a conversation, and who knows? You might just find your next business partner, mentor, or new friend.

Big Conf vs “Fork It!”

Let's talk about how the massive, industry-leading conferences stack up against smaller, community-focused events. Both have their perks, but here's a breakdown of where they might differ and why that matters.

a. Limitations of Huge Events

At those big events, it’s easy to feel like just another face in the crowd. They usually have so many sessions happening at once that you can't possibly attend everything you're interested in. The experience can feel a bit scattered because everyone's on a different track.

And when it comes to Q&A, asking a question in front of a huge audience? That takes guts. At a massive event, trying to dig deep and get personalized answers can be a real challenge. Plus, with so many people, these conferences can feel less like a community and more like just a huge gathering. On the plus side, there is a lot of choice regarding the sessions you can attend.

b. We Are Building the “Fork It!” Community

We’re all about keeping things tight and focused. We steer clear of the confusion that big, multi-track events often bring. Our aim is to create an intimate space that feels like it’s just for developers.

It's not just about showing up; it's about being part of a community. Our group is all about supporting each other and staying connected. We’re on the smaller side, which lets us have real, meaningful conversations that go beyond the event itself.

To keep everyone connected, we built a Discord server. These tools help us keep the conversation going all year, not just during the conference.

While those big conferences have their strengths, offering wide networks and lots of content, at “Fork It !”, we focus on creating a space where developers can truly connect with each other on a personal and professional level.

Remember, whether you're diving into a new technology or looking to build up your network, a conference can be the ideal step. It's a fast, effective way to get introduced to the cutting edge of your field, meet new people, and start forming those crucial connections right away. So why not start your next big tech adventure with us at a “Fork It!” event?