Ruby was the first programming language I really embraced. Basic was first. SQL is what I’ve used most. But Ruby was the first one I became a fan of, one that shaped the way I think about programming. So when RubyConf came to San Antonio in 2015, I finally ran out of excuses.

This month Steve Hughes asked us to write about conference experiences that have impacted us or changed how we work. I could write about specific talks, but what has stayed with me is something broader.

I had plenty of excuses not to go to that first conference.

  • I wasn’t a real developer
  • I didn’t use Ruby in my day job
  • The conference was expensive
  • I shouldn’t waste my vacation time on it
  • I didn’t know anyone
  • It might be boring

Thankfully, cost wasn’t a huge issue. The conference was in my hometown, so no room or travel expenses to worry about. I bought a ticket and went.

It was a wonderful event. The community was kind and friendly. The talks were interesting and engaging. I found myself deciding which path I would take through the event, selecting talks that seemed most interesting to me. I loved it. Most of all, I loved that so many people with similar interests were gathered in the same place to learn and experience it together.

Since then, I’ve been to several conferences, some locally and some in other cities across the country. I have fond memories of all of them, but the ones that stand out are the ones put together by the community.

The big tech conferences have lots of money to throw around, but they end up feeling like a sugar rush. You feel the excitement of the crowd, see the flashy booths, grab some merchandise, and it’s great, but it soon leaves you hollow. Those are not the ones I prefer.

The community conferences are different. People are the focus. Ideas and friendship are the reasons they come together. Those are the ones with talks that stick. Those are the ones I keep going back to.

In a few weeks, I’ll be at the 20th annual PyTexas in Austin, exactly the kind of event I’ve been describing. I don’t know which talk will change the way I think about something. But I know I’ll leave with new ideas. I’ll spend time with friends I already know and make some I haven’t met yet. That’s what community conferences do. They’re worth showing up for.