Announcing CodeConnexx: A Different Kind of Conference

Engine Yard is thrilled to be part of a brand new conference: CodeConnexx. It’s a two-day conference hosted by our friends at PHPWomen, but this is not just a conference for women in PHP. It’s open to _anybody _working in the web development industry. What makes this conference different is that the first day is focused on technical topics, like MySQL Query Optimization and Building APIs with Silex, while the second day focuses on softer skills like Mentoring Developers and the Art of Self-Sourcing. Not surprisingly, the goal of this conference is building connections: between work and life, between different technologies used in web development, and between each other.

Speaking as the President and Co-Founder of PHPWomen, I can say that the idea for this conference has been brewing for a long time in our organization. First, although PHPWomen has been about encouraging women, it has always, always been about inclusion, not exclusion. We have warmly welcomed our male counterparts with open arms and have appreciated the amazing support they’ve given us. We wanted to host a conference where everybody felt like they were part of the family, regardless of race, age, gender, or sexuality. We want us all to come together equally, and connect through our common interest: web development. Secondly, we also wanted to acknowledge the fact that even though we are coders, we are not robots. This conference dedicates an entire day to life-skills, because they are equally as important as technical skills. Lastly, we wanted a place where we could connect with each other and those new to the community, and encourage women to come out of the woodwork and join us.

Perks with this conference include free on-site childcare for those who would otherwise have to miss out, interactive social round table discussions during lunch, and plenty of social activities to encourage interaction between attendees, speakers, and organizers. Did I also mention that it’s in an old movie theater that has been restored to its glory of days gone past?

The location is in Indianapolis, IN, which is easy to get to from just about anywhere. Indianapolis is home to large events like the Super Bowl, the Indy 500, and others, and there is a plethora of cultural activities to do and see. It is also home to the world’s largest Children’s Museum, which is fun for kids of any age.

At $99, this conference will surely sell out quickly, and space is limited. Be sure to mark your calendars for November 8-9 and register as soon as possible!

Engine Yard is looking forward to sponsoring this new event, and there still are sponsorship opportunities available for additional companies to support the PHPWomen organization. Please contact me if you would like to be a part of this event.