What Devcon Represents
As we progress further into the new year, our Devcon team wishes to convey some of our insights regarding what to expect for Devcon this year. With fresh objectives shaping this year’s initiative, we’ve gleaned from both achievements and obstacles in past years, and we’ll share some preliminary information on what lies ahead.
For those unfamiliar with the Ethereum community, Devcon is the sole annual gathering organized by the Ethereum Foundation, stemming from a modest meetup in Berlin (ÐΞVcon-0) roughly a year before the network’s launch. For certain individuals within the Ethereum ecosystem, Devcon acts as a familial reunion, while for others, it serves as a grand platform to present the latest advancements on topics ranging from technical research to application launches and beyond.
Throughout the years, it has become evident that Devcon also benefits the community in various other aspects. While preparing for Devcon 6, we’re striving to outline those aims, ensuring that Devcon fulfills each one of them:
1. Cooperation & knowledge exchange
Devcon serves as a venue where significant collaboration occurs. It offers a unique opportunity to gather with fellow community members who are tackling a common issue. It’s essential that participants have access to meeting spaces, areas for discussions, spots to engage with whiteboards, and initiate their projects.
2. Education, communication, and fostering new concepts
Devcon presents an opportunity for learning and teaching! Attendees come to Devcon to grasp the forefront of developments in the Ethereum realm and to disseminate what they have acquired over the past year with a broad audience both during the event and online.
3. Utilizing our largest platform to convey a message
Devcon is a vital chance to communicate with the world about Ethereum. As the most significant conference in our sector, the wider technological landscape and mainstream organizations focus on Devcon. Let’s highlight what we’ve achieved.
4. Engaging with technology built on Ethereum through “dogfooding”
Devcon is a conference designed by and for our community and should leverage tools developed by our community wherever feasible and advantageous to attendees. In the spirit of educating our community and propelling Ethereum-based projects, Devcon should allow participants to experience firsthand the products created on Ethereum.
5. Expanding the Ethereum Ecosystem
Devcon is a unique opportunity for each of us to engage with individuals from diverse teams and communities, whether they are part of Ethereum or other blockchain-oriented groups, as well as newcomers from different sectors. In previous years, we’ve collaborated with UNICEF and the Internet Archive on stage, and incorporated the zero-knowledge community into the mix. Many who are new to the Ethereum ecosystem attend Devcon, and while this is a developers conference, they should depart feeling welcomed and motivated by our incredible community by the end of the week.
Listening and Learning
Our ecosystem has evolved and is undergoing continuous enhancement, and we understand that Devcon must keep pace. On this matter, the entire team wishes to first express a thank you for the valuable feedback that we believe will contribute to creating the most successful event we’ve ever hosted.
In particular, the planning for Devcon (dc⟠vi) has concentrated on 6 crucial areas to enhance the attendee experience.
In this regard, we’ve sought a venue that features:
- up-to-date WiFi infrastructure and connectivity
- enhanced crowd management, meeting areas, and stages
- convenient catering solutions for attendees with diverse needs and dietary restrictions
We’ve also critically analyzed internal procedures and are eager to address these topics soon:
- an improved program and stage selection approach
- more equitable and diverse ticketing systems
- increased integration of the ecosystem (dogfooding)
To briefly address some of these points, a high-speed and modern WiFi setup will enhance streaming capabilities for a global Ethereum user base that deserves live access to every stage and workshop experiences. Regardless of how many friends are present, they’ll be connected.
In the last two years, the Devcon speaker application process has decoupled into a multi-track method with over 50 reviewers. This year, we’re aiming to refine the experience for all applicants, gauge attendee preferences for assistance with stage selection, and more.
Our objective is to ensure the best possible experience for all participants, while remaining true to Ethereum’s foundations. This year, we believe we are well on our way to realizing this vision, and we hope all of you will participate.
What’s on the Horizon
We are progressing well in organizing the first Devcon where eth2’s beacon chain will be active and ether will be staked! Beyond the aforementioned enhancements, we’re preparing for an event characterized by continued dogfooding, a more efficient ticketing system and much more – all details to be revealed in upcoming announcements.
Regarding this year’s location, the search for Devcon 6 commenced before Devcon 5 with the understanding that an advanced timeline in planning would facilitate a smoother experience for all attendees. After taking community feedback into account and thoroughly examining over 10 cities, we are confident that we have chosen a location and venue that truly merit the event, fulfilling every goal outlined above to ensure this is the best Devcon ever.
We’ll be announcing the Devcon 6 location soon — stay tuned to the EF Blog for more updates on site-selection, and for initial application information and more.
Update(27/03/2020): In consideration of those within our community and others around us who are currently confronting the persistent global health emergency, our group has made the decision to momentarily pause the forthcoming Devcon announcements, initially hinted at above. While additional updates will be provided and our preparations are ongoing, we are grateful for your ongoing understanding and encourage everyone to take measures to remain safe!
We trust that you’ll share our excitement, and perhaps be pleasantly astonished when we disclose further details in the upcoming Devcon update over the next few weeks 🌎. These updates will arrive slightly sooner than in years past, so be sure to check back frequently!
For the moment, heartfelt thanks once more to all our participants for being with us in Osaka, to the speakers, to the sponsors whose support made the event feasible, and to you (the community) for your insights over the recent months.
Progressing while reflecting…
Searching for clips and more from Osaka? We have several albums and playlists to share that you might find interesting! Take a look at the photos and videos below!
Next, we recognize that talks have been broadly circulated, but if you’re seeking something particular or for your presentation (both the mainstage and breakout session playlists), please refer to the links provided below!
Main Stages
Breakouts & Highlights:
Devcon showcased numerous highlights, including notable Eth2 announcements, presentations on eWASM and Eth 1x advancements, a star appearance by the world’s most famous dog, Kabosu (the original “Doge”), and so much more. Truly remarkable.
photo credit: Alex van de Sande
If you missed the keynote, click here for an opening from the city of Osaka, the reveal of the UNICEF Cryptofund, and more.
Most importantly, Devcon continues to prioritize the developers and researchers that shape Ethereum, and our team will persist in learning from all of you. This perpetual aim for enhancement will help ensure that dc⟠vi is the finest Ethereum gathering yet, and we look forward to seeing you all there.
🦄
—
devcon team
