Maximizing Your DjangoCon US Experience

DjangoCon US is my favourite week in the Django calendar and this year it's back in Chicago for the second year running. Same city and the same venue at The VOCO Chicago Downtown sitting on the river in the centre of the city.

This will be my fourth DjangoCon US and my 9th DjangoCon overall since 2022. Having been to and stayed at this same venue last year I picked up a few things worth passing on, whether it's your first time or you're heading back again.

The talks run Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th August, with the sprints on the Thursday and Friday. So much of what makes the week special happens away from the talks but the main stage is where you want to be!

There are still tickets available to attend in person or to watch along online. You can get yours here.

CONFERENCE PHOTO: credit Bartek Pawlik

Pre Conference Prep

• 📆 Get across the schedule: The line up looks strong this year and I've already flagged a good few talks I don't want to miss. Have a proper read through the talks and workshops and mark the ones you can't miss.
• 🗣 Reach out to the speakers: Give them a follow on their socials before the event and drop a note directly or create a post to say you're looking forward to their session. It's a small thing but it breaks the ice for both of you.
• 💬 Get on the Slack Channel: This is where the event really starts. Ask your questions, make plans and soak up the build up before you even get to Chicago. If you've attended before, you'll already have access. Otherwise you'll get an invite beforehand. Stay on the channel once you're at the conference too, various social gatherings, outings and sponsor events all get posted as the days go on.

One of the brilliant talks in 2025

Conference Logistics

• 👋 Use the hotel spaces: As soon as you get checked into the hotel throw on a Django or Python t-shirt and head for the voco lobby/bar. There's a good chance you'll run into other attendees without even trying and that's often where the first real conversation of the week happens.
• 🍻 The Sunday night social: There's normally something sociable the evening before the conference itself and the talks begin. From what I hear the organisers are hoping a sponsor will run a Sunday social this year, so watch Slack and Socials for the details.
  If that doesn't come together I'll pull a last minute one together myself, probably a simple Django.Social down at the Tiny Tap by the river like last year. In 2025 a good crowd of us met at the hotel bar first and wandered down together. Either way it's a gentle way to ease in and put some faces to names.
• 📅 Plan your evenings: Last year a couple of sponsors laid on mixers in nearby bars. One even took over an arcade bar with karaoke and a darts game that kept us going half the night. Expect more of the same this year, so keep half an eye on Slack and post your own plans so people can join. A lot of the best moments happen in the bars and restaurants around the venue...
  Chicago has a lot of other things going on too. Last year 4 of us went to a Chicago Bears game on the Monday night. It was a fantastic experience!

Go Bears!

🎤 At the Conference

• 📝 Keep a record: A notebook, your notes app or firing out your favourite takeaways online as you go, whatever works for you. Don't stress if you miss something from the talks, it will all be online afterwards.
• 💬 Work the hallway track: Some of the best chats happen between sessions. If a good conversation is flowing, don't feel guilty about ducking a talk to keep it going. Make a point of getting round the sponsors too.
• 📸 Share as you go: Post your photos, favourite quotes and reflections on your socials and tag people in. It's a brilliant way to connect on the day and long after. I love reading everyone's write ups in the weeks that follow. Use the conference hashtags.
• ⚡ Don't miss the lightning talks: My favourite hour of the day from 12:10 every day. Short, sharp talks on just about anything and everything. They're the perfect low pressure way to try public speaking or to get your face known for the rest of the week. I didn't manage to give one last year so I'm making a point of it this time... come and have a go yourself!
• 🍽️ Make the meals count: Food is served buffet style. A heads up from last year, there wasn't one big dining room so people grabbed a plate and scattered to find a spot. Hopefully that's smoother this time, but wherever you end up, try not to eat on your own. Join a table, it's one of the simplest ways to meet someone new. I tend to go a little way into the serving window so I can spot a good table to jump on.

Giving my Lightning Talk at PyConUS 2026

🚧 Stepping Away

• 🧡 Take the Self Care Sprint seriously: Kojo Idrissa raises this in the opening remarks every year for good reason. You can't do everything and trying to will wipe you out. Give yourself permission to slow down, recharge and skip a session when you need to.
• 🌳 Get some air: The venue sits right on the river at Wolf Point so a good walk is always on your doorstep. A stroll along the riverwalk and a bit of daylight will do more for your focus than forcing yourself through another talk. It will all be online later. Last year a lot of people went out to the Lake in the morning for a swim, walk, run or cycle. I'll be there this time!
• 🌆 See some of Chicago: There's loads on offer. Deep dish pizza (still on my own list to finally try), the riverwalk is right outside. The buildings and architecture alone are worth a wander, they look great by day or night. Make the most of being somewhere new.

Chicago, on the doorstep if you head outside

🗨️ Not Sure How to Break the Ice?

Walking up to a group of people who all seem to know each other is the bit most people find hardest. Don't worry, almost everyone feels exactly the same and usually everyone is happy for you to join their chats.

Keep an eye out for the Pac-Man rule. A friendly group will leave a gap in the circle rather than closing it off, a bit like Pac-Man's open mouth. That gap is an open invitation, so step into it and say hello. And when you're the one already in the group, leave a gap yourself so the next person can do the same.

If you're in a new group, you don't need to say anything clever to get going, just wait for the conversation to flow your way and join in from there. If you sit with new people at lunch or want to start a conversation with the person next to you between talks, here's a few openers that always work:

• How are you finding the conference?
• What talks have you enjoyed, or which ones are you looking forward to?
• How did you get into Django?
• What other conferences have you been to?
• Where would you suggest I go for a decent coffee?

That's it. One open question and you're away. Most conversations will take care of themselves from there once they get started.

🤔 My Final Thoughts

Pace yourself... A conference can be full on. There's no shame in skipping a talk or a whole afternoon, grabbing some quiet time or going to bed early so you're sharp the next day. Then again, it's only a few days and you can catch up on sleep at home! Do what works for you.

Most of all, be intentional. Whether you're there to learn new skills, meeting new people or enjoying a bit of Chicago, keep half an eye on what you actually want to get out of the trip.

I'll have my stand again this year as a Sponsor, with the ability to run you through Foxley Talent's US roles. So if you spot me at the stand, around the hotel or hunting down a coffee nearby please come and say hi. I'm around until the Thursday afternoon this time too, so if nothing else is arranged I might put a suggestion up for some sort of closing party to see the week out on Wednesday night. Keep an eye on Slack for that one.

That's my rundown for maximizing your DjangoCon US 2026 trip. I can't wait for another week of great talks, familiar faces and plenty of hallway track.

Safe travels and see you in Chicago!

Jon