In the digital age, staying updated with the latest marketing strategies and tools is crucial for every marketing professional. DrupalCon Portland 2024 might not be an event that was on your radar as a marketer, but this year is different. DrupalCon Portland 2024 has worked hard to curate some of the best speakers in the content management space for its new marketing track. This conference is transforming from a developer-focused conference to a full blown web conference, providing marketers an opportunity to enhance their expertise, network with industry leaders, and gain insights into the latest trends and technologies. Here's what you can gain from attending, along with a sneak peek into some of the key sessions that promise to enrich your marketing prowess.
Comprehensive Learning Opportunities
At DrupalCon Portland 2024, the focus is on actionable insights and strategies that can be applied immediately. Whether you're a content strategist, a digital marketer, or lead a team of developers, the conference offers a diverse range of sessions tailored to meet your interests. These sessions will cover everything from content consistency across multiple platforms to the integration of AI in web and marketing strategies.
Session Spotlight:
AI + Atomic Content: Managing Personalized, Omni-channel Content at Scale: Explore how to manage personalized, omni-channel content at scale, a vital skill in today’s customer-centric marketing environment.
Networking with Peers and Industry Leaders
One of the primary benefits of attending DrupalCon is the opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders from across the globe. These interactions provide a chance to share ideas, challenges, and solutions, fostering a valuable exchange of knowledge that can lead to future collaborations and innovations.
Session Spotlight:
DrupalCon's Next Top Content Model: Delve into advanced content strategy tools that clarify requirements and enhance mutual understanding within your marketing team.
Gaining a Competitive Edge
The marketing track at DrupalCon Portland 2024 is designed to equip you with cutting-edge skills and insights that will help you drive your organization forward and set you apart in the competitive job market. Learn how to leverage Drupal and other technologies to maximize your digital presence and effectiveness.
Session Spotlight:
Transforming Drupal into a MarTech LeadGen Machine: Learn the secrets to turning your website into a lead generation powerhouse, ensuring that your digital efforts translate into tangible results.
Insight into Future Trends
Staying ahead in marketing means anticipating changes and adapting quickly. DrupalCon provides a forward-looking perspective on the future of marketing, particularly how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the landscape.
Session Spotlight:
Navigating Tomorrow: The Future of Websites in the Age of AI and Content Proliferation: Understand the seismic shifts in website management and content creation driven by AI and the insatiable demand for new content.
Practical Takeaways for Immediate Application
Every session at DrupalCon is crafted to provide practical knowledge and strategies that you can immediately implement in your work. From enhancing your content strategies to integrating sophisticated tech solutions, the takeaways are designed to have an immediate impact on your marketing effectiveness.
Session Spotlight:
The 30-Minute Content Strategist: From Concept to Plan: Equip yourself with a rapid, effective content strategy formulation that you can apply the moment you return to the office.
A Tailored Experience
DrupalCon Portland 2024 offers a uniquely tailored experience, allowing you to customize your itinerary based on your specific interests and professional needs. Whether your focus is on technical SEO, content management, or user experience, the sessions are structured to provide deep dives into each area.
Attending DrupalCon Portland 2024 is more than just an educational experience; it's an investment in your professional future. With sessions designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice and opportunities to connect with industry leaders, the benefits of attending extend well beyond the conference itself. Ready to transform your approach to digital marketing? Join us at DrupalCon Portland 2024 and be part of shaping the future of web and marketing.
Drupal 11.0.0-alpha 1 will be released on the week of April 29, 2024
Last month, we announced that depending on readiness of the codebase to 11.0.0 beta requirements today on April 26, 2024, Drupal 11 would be released either on the week of July 29, 2024 or the week of December 9, 2024.
The Drupal 11 codebase progressed a lot since then, it is based on Symfony 7 and jQuery 4, and the deprecated APIs have been removed. However, while we are making rapid progress on PHPUnit 10 support, we need to fully complete that update to PHPUnit 10 before a beta release, which will not quite be ready for next week.
To help the community prepare for Drupal 11, we decided to make Drupal 11.0.0-alpha1 available next week (on the week of April 29, 2024), alongside Drupal 10.3.0-beta1. This also means that those attending DrupalCon Portland 2024 the week after can already try out the first tagged version of Drupal 11, and modules can add Drupal 11 compatibility confident that all runtime APIs are stable.
We are giving ourselves an additional couple of weeks to run down the last PHPUnit 10 issues and any other remaining beta blockers ready for a stable Drupal 11.0.0 release on the week of July 29, 2024. Assuming all goes well, we'll make a final decision by May 10th and release a beta shortly afterwards.
The Drupal 11 codebase progressed a lot since then, it is based on Symfony 7 and jQuery 4, and the deprecated APIs have been removed. However, while we are making rapid progress on PHPUnit 10 support, we need to fully complete that update to PHPUnit 10 before a beta release, which will not quite be ready for next week.
To help the community prepare for Drupal 11, we decided to make Drupal 11.0.0-alpha1 available next week (on the week of April 29, 2024), alongside Drupal 10.3.0-beta1. This also means that those attending DrupalCon Portland 2024 the week after can already try out the first tagged version of Drupal 11, and modules can add Drupal 11 compatibility confident that all runtime APIs are stable.
We are giving ourselves an additional couple of weeks to run down the last PHPUnit 10 issues and any other remaining beta blockers ready for a stable Drupal 11.0.0 release on the week of July 29, 2024. Assuming all goes well, we'll make a final decision by May 10th and release a beta shortly afterwards.
Drupal 11.0.0-alpha 1 will be released on the week of April 29, 2024
Last month, we announced that depending on readiness of the codebase to 11.0.0 beta requirements today on April 26, 2024, Drupal 11 would be released either on the week of July 29, 2024 or the week of December 9, 2024.
The Drupal 11 codebase progressed a lot since then, it is based on Symfony 7 and jQuery 4, and the deprecated APIs have been removed. However, while we are making rapid progress on PHPUnit 10 support, we need to fully complete that update to PHPUnit 10 before a beta release, which will not quite be ready for next week.
To help the community prepare for Drupal 11, we decided to make Drupal 11.0.0-alpha1 available next week (on the week of April 29, 2024), alongside Drupal 10.3.0-beta1. This also means that those attending DrupalCon Portland 2024 the week after can already try out the first tagged version of Drupal 11, and modules can add Drupal 11 compatibility confident that all runtime APIs are stable.
We are giving ourselves an additional couple of weeks to run down the last PHPUnit 10 issues and any other remaining beta blockers ready for a stable Drupal 11.0.0 release on the week of July 29, 2024. Assuming all goes well, we'll make a final decision by May 10th and release a beta shortly afterwards.
The Drupal 11 codebase progressed a lot since then, it is based on Symfony 7 and jQuery 4, and the deprecated APIs have been removed. However, while we are making rapid progress on PHPUnit 10 support, we need to fully complete that update to PHPUnit 10 before a beta release, which will not quite be ready for next week.
To help the community prepare for Drupal 11, we decided to make Drupal 11.0.0-alpha1 available next week (on the week of April 29, 2024), alongside Drupal 10.3.0-beta1. This also means that those attending DrupalCon Portland 2024 the week after can already try out the first tagged version of Drupal 11, and modules can add Drupal 11 compatibility confident that all runtime APIs are stable.
We are giving ourselves an additional couple of weeks to run down the last PHPUnit 10 issues and any other remaining beta blockers ready for a stable Drupal 11.0.0 release on the week of July 29, 2024. Assuming all goes well, we'll make a final decision by May 10th and release a beta shortly afterwards.
Making the Most of Your Time at DrupalCon Portland
It’s less than two weeks to DrupalCon Portland 2024, and the excitement is building! If you’re gearing up for the biggest Drupal event of the year, we’re here to help you maximize your travel experience to Portland. Let’s dive right in!
Hotel Bookings at Great Prices
You still have a chance to book your DrupalCon Portland hotel within the official hotel block. By staying within the hotel block, you'll get the best proximity to the conference center as well as the chance to run into other Drupalists on your floor! Book now:
Hyatt Regency Portland
DoubleTree by Hilton - book by Sunday 28 April
When and where is DrupalCon’24 happening in Portland?
DrupalCon North America 2024 will be held from 6th to 9th May 2024 at the Oregon Convention Center (yes, in-person!). Located right in the heart of the city, it is a perfect hub for exploration. You'll find hotels, restaurants, and shops just around the corner. It's also super easy to get to fun stuff like entertainment and hiking. With endless possibilities, you're sure to find something that suits your fancy.
Things you should NOT miss out on in Portland
May is a delightful time to be in Portland, with spring in full bloom. Enjoy the sunny weather and mild temperatures, making it the perfect season to explore the city's vibrant outdoor scene. There are several must-visit places that capture the city's unique charm.
1. Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park
This is the perfect place to enjoy Portland's beauty while watching the river flow by. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from leisurely strolls and picnics to jogging and biking along the paved pathways. The park also hosts numerous events throughout the year, including festivals, concerts, and outdoor markets, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.
One of the park's highlights is the Salmon Street Springs Fountain, where children and adults alike can cool off in the refreshing water jets during the warmer months. The park also features several monuments and public art installations, adding cultural and historical significance to its landscape.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/governor-tom-mccall-waterfront-park/
2. Powell's City of Books
Powell's City of Books is a literary wonderland located in downtown Portland, Oregon. As the world's largest independent bookstore, Powell's spans an entire city block and boasts multiple floors filled with books of every genre imaginable. One of Powell's most unique features is its rare book room, home to a collection of rare and out-of-print titles, first editions, and signed copies that will delight bibliophiles and collectors alike.
In addition to its vast selection of books, Powell's hosts author readings, book signings, and other literary events, fostering a sense of community among book lovers from near and far.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/powells/
3. Portland Art Museum
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum on the West Coast and holds a rich and diverse collection of artworks spanning various time periods, cultures, and mediums. It is located in the heart of downtown Portland. One of the museum's highlights is its extensive collection of Native American art, which celebrates the rich artistic traditions of indigenous peoples from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Portland Art Museum hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase both established and emerging artists, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge contemporary art and explore new perspectives.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/portland-art-museum/
4. Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is more than just a bakery; it's a Portland icon, a symbol of creativity, and a culinary experience like no other. It was founded in 2003 by friends Kenneth Pogson and Richard Shannon and has gained international fame for its wacky doughnut creations.
It is located in the heart of downtown Portland, Voodoo Doughnut draws long lines of locals and tourists, eager to sample its unique offerings. Some of the must-try snacks: Voodoo Doll doughnut, pretzel stake and raspberry filling, Bacon Maple Bar topped with crispy bacon strips. If this has got you drooling (like me), make sure you head to this place while you’re at Portland.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/voodoo-doughnut/
5. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a beloved institution in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to inspiring curiosity and fostering a love of science through engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs. Located on the east bank of the Willamette River, OMSI's sprawling campus encompasses a variety of attractions that cater to visitors of all ages.
OMSI's planetarium is a highlight, where visitors can explore the wonders of the night sky, learn about astronomy and astrophysics, and take virtual journeys through space. The museum also features a state-of-the-art IMAX theater, where visitors can experience immersive films on topics ranging from nature and wildlife to history and technology.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/omsi/
Find more information to plan your trip here.
Hotel Bookings at Great Prices
You still have a chance to book your DrupalCon Portland hotel within the official hotel block. By staying within the hotel block, you'll get the best proximity to the conference center as well as the chance to run into other Drupalists on your floor! Book now:
Hyatt Regency Portland
DoubleTree by Hilton - book by Sunday 28 April
When and where is DrupalCon’24 happening in Portland?
DrupalCon North America 2024 will be held from 6th to 9th May 2024 at the Oregon Convention Center (yes, in-person!). Located right in the heart of the city, it is a perfect hub for exploration. You'll find hotels, restaurants, and shops just around the corner. It's also super easy to get to fun stuff like entertainment and hiking. With endless possibilities, you're sure to find something that suits your fancy.
Things you should NOT miss out on in Portland
May is a delightful time to be in Portland, with spring in full bloom. Enjoy the sunny weather and mild temperatures, making it the perfect season to explore the city's vibrant outdoor scene. There are several must-visit places that capture the city's unique charm.
1. Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park
This is the perfect place to enjoy Portland's beauty while watching the river flow by. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from leisurely strolls and picnics to jogging and biking along the paved pathways. The park also hosts numerous events throughout the year, including festivals, concerts, and outdoor markets, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.
One of the park's highlights is the Salmon Street Springs Fountain, where children and adults alike can cool off in the refreshing water jets during the warmer months. The park also features several monuments and public art installations, adding cultural and historical significance to its landscape.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/governor-tom-mccall-waterfront-park/
2. Powell's City of Books
Powell's City of Books is a literary wonderland located in downtown Portland, Oregon. As the world's largest independent bookstore, Powell's spans an entire city block and boasts multiple floors filled with books of every genre imaginable. One of Powell's most unique features is its rare book room, home to a collection of rare and out-of-print titles, first editions, and signed copies that will delight bibliophiles and collectors alike.
In addition to its vast selection of books, Powell's hosts author readings, book signings, and other literary events, fostering a sense of community among book lovers from near and far.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/powells/
3. Portland Art Museum
Founded in 1892, the Portland Art Museum is the oldest art museum on the West Coast and holds a rich and diverse collection of artworks spanning various time periods, cultures, and mediums. It is located in the heart of downtown Portland. One of the museum's highlights is its extensive collection of Native American art, which celebrates the rich artistic traditions of indigenous peoples from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Portland Art Museum hosts rotating exhibitions that showcase both established and emerging artists, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge contemporary art and explore new perspectives.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/portland-art-museum/
4. Voodoo Doughnut
Voodoo Doughnut is more than just a bakery; it's a Portland icon, a symbol of creativity, and a culinary experience like no other. It was founded in 2003 by friends Kenneth Pogson and Richard Shannon and has gained international fame for its wacky doughnut creations.
It is located in the heart of downtown Portland, Voodoo Doughnut draws long lines of locals and tourists, eager to sample its unique offerings. Some of the must-try snacks: Voodoo Doll doughnut, pretzel stake and raspberry filling, Bacon Maple Bar topped with crispy bacon strips. If this has got you drooling (like me), make sure you head to this place while you’re at Portland.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/voodoo-doughnut/
5. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a beloved institution in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to inspiring curiosity and fostering a love of science through engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs. Located on the east bank of the Willamette River, OMSI's sprawling campus encompasses a variety of attractions that cater to visitors of all ages.
OMSI's planetarium is a highlight, where visitors can explore the wonders of the night sky, learn about astronomy and astrophysics, and take virtual journeys through space. The museum also features a state-of-the-art IMAX theater, where visitors can experience immersive films on topics ranging from nature and wildlife to history and technology.
Image Source: https://www.travelportland.com/attractions/omsi/
Find more information to plan your trip here.
Working toward an Experience Builder
At DrupalCon Lille 2023, Dries announced a new strategic initiative to build a Next Generation Page Builder. The goal of the initiative was to improve and expand Layout Builder to provide a truly intuitive out-of-the-box page building experience.
We have started defining what experience would look like by identifying user journeys from beginning to end, from customizing Drupal to match a brand and content strategy to creating and editing pages. We have identified that to provide the desired experience, we need to define a standardized way for builders and creators to transform designs into optimized digital experiences. To realize the Ambitious Site Builder vision announced by Dries in 2022, we are providing visual, browser-based tools that require minimal technical expertise. This will make it easier for users without prior knowledge about Drupal or coding to implement a digital experience with Drupal. Our working name for this is Experience Builder to highlight that the module seamlessly integrates a page builder and a theme builder.
With the Experience Builder, site builders can create fully customized pages and themes using no-code/low-code tools in the browser. It provides site builders, developers, and content creators a single platform to collaborate. Content creators are empowered to create and update content without having to reach out to a developer. Site builders can balance brand consistency and creative freedom by selecting which visual editor controls to expose to the content creator. As a result, anyone in your organization can easily build and update sites, accelerating time to market while remaining brand compliant.
To keep the out-of-the-box experience simple for non-technical users, Drupal will continue to optimize the experience for site builders without the need of building custom, code-based headless front ends. We are actively exploring ways for Drupal to enable JavaScript developers to work with Drupal without the need of managing a large custom code base. Meanwhile, we will still deliver capabilities that enable headless use cases and retain much of the work that has been done to enable headless use cases so far.
How should we build the Experience Builder?
The Drupal core committer team has decided to expand on our existing solutions. Incorporating the best features of Paragraphs into an expanded Layout Builder will provide a solution that can significantly surpass the existing options explored. We are still evaluating if there are smaller components that exist in other open source projects that could be utilized by the Experience Builder.
What options did we consider?
We researched the existing Drupal based page building solutions, as well as other open source projects to decide how we should realize the Experience Builder. We evaluated Paragraphs, Layout Builder, and Gutenberg using six criteria: expertise required to realize our vision, effort required to realize our vision, effort required to migrate existing sites, future-proofness of the solutions, how well it matches with our persona, and ability for market differentiation.
Gutenberg was the primary option that we considered adopting from outside the Drupal ecosystem. With the help of the Pitchburgh fund, I had couple long days of working sessions with a group of Gutenberg maintainers, as well as the team behind Drupal Gutenberg. We learned that there are many parallels between the problems the different teams are aiming to solve. However, Gutenberg is primarily built for the content creators, which is at odds with our promise to build a platform for the Ambitious Site Builders. Gutenberg would provide us a fast way to enable content creators, but would slow us down delivering on our vision for site builders.
From the Drupal-based solutions, Paragraphs has the largest user base. Site builders attribute this to its relative simplicity and flexibility to implement nearly any kind of design system. However, Paragraphs focuses solely on component composition and content composition, and therefore doesn't enable non-technical builders to control the display of structured data, or the page as a whole.
Layout Builder originally focused on providing site builders with a way to display structured data from entities using more complex layouts. For this reason, the out-of-the-box experience hasn't been optimized for content creation. As a result, some sites using Paragraphs also choose to use Layout Builder as a tool for builders to customize the page layout, leading to a less integrated UX.
All of the solutions we evaluated came with trade-offs. The core committer team decided to prioritize how well the solution would match with our Ambitious Site Builder persona and having an ability for market differentiation. Based on our research, evolving Layout Builder, and enhancing it with capabilities that exist in Paragraphs today best meets these criteria. This approach requires a lot of expertise and effort to realize our vision, in particular UX design, but makes it easier to migrate existing sites and integrate with other Drupal APIs and use cases.
Next steps
We have identified three lanes of work to implement the Experience Builder:
Creating a revamped user experience that is optimized for creating pages using components, as well as defining the layout for structured data.
Implementing a new mechanism for defining components, alongside blocks. Components can be defined through the UI as no-code components, or as code components. The experience for creating code components will be similar to Single Directory Components.
Implementing a browser-based theme builder that enables site builders to implement themes custom to brand without leaving the browser.
Expected timeline and call for help
The core committer team is convinced that a unified Experience Builder is one of the most important initiatives we can undertake. We are committed to moving quickly and iterating rapidly, but we need your support to succeed. We know that with the help of the community, we are able to develop a proof of concept and demo of the new user experience later this year. The first release as a contributed module is targeted for the first half of 2025.
If you are willing to help fund this project, you can reach out to Lauri or Dries. If you are willing to help with the implementation itself, we are planning to set up a recurring meeting. Join the #layouts channel on Drupal Slack for updates and opportunities to contribute!
We have started defining what experience would look like by identifying user journeys from beginning to end, from customizing Drupal to match a brand and content strategy to creating and editing pages. We have identified that to provide the desired experience, we need to define a standardized way for builders and creators to transform designs into optimized digital experiences. To realize the Ambitious Site Builder vision announced by Dries in 2022, we are providing visual, browser-based tools that require minimal technical expertise. This will make it easier for users without prior knowledge about Drupal or coding to implement a digital experience with Drupal. Our working name for this is Experience Builder to highlight that the module seamlessly integrates a page builder and a theme builder.
With the Experience Builder, site builders can create fully customized pages and themes using no-code/low-code tools in the browser. It provides site builders, developers, and content creators a single platform to collaborate. Content creators are empowered to create and update content without having to reach out to a developer. Site builders can balance brand consistency and creative freedom by selecting which visual editor controls to expose to the content creator. As a result, anyone in your organization can easily build and update sites, accelerating time to market while remaining brand compliant.
To keep the out-of-the-box experience simple for non-technical users, Drupal will continue to optimize the experience for site builders without the need of building custom, code-based headless front ends. We are actively exploring ways for Drupal to enable JavaScript developers to work with Drupal without the need of managing a large custom code base. Meanwhile, we will still deliver capabilities that enable headless use cases and retain much of the work that has been done to enable headless use cases so far.
How should we build the Experience Builder?
The Drupal core committer team has decided to expand on our existing solutions. Incorporating the best features of Paragraphs into an expanded Layout Builder will provide a solution that can significantly surpass the existing options explored. We are still evaluating if there are smaller components that exist in other open source projects that could be utilized by the Experience Builder.
What options did we consider?
We researched the existing Drupal based page building solutions, as well as other open source projects to decide how we should realize the Experience Builder. We evaluated Paragraphs, Layout Builder, and Gutenberg using six criteria: expertise required to realize our vision, effort required to realize our vision, effort required to migrate existing sites, future-proofness of the solutions, how well it matches with our persona, and ability for market differentiation.
Gutenberg was the primary option that we considered adopting from outside the Drupal ecosystem. With the help of the Pitchburgh fund, I had couple long days of working sessions with a group of Gutenberg maintainers, as well as the team behind Drupal Gutenberg. We learned that there are many parallels between the problems the different teams are aiming to solve. However, Gutenberg is primarily built for the content creators, which is at odds with our promise to build a platform for the Ambitious Site Builders. Gutenberg would provide us a fast way to enable content creators, but would slow us down delivering on our vision for site builders.
From the Drupal-based solutions, Paragraphs has the largest user base. Site builders attribute this to its relative simplicity and flexibility to implement nearly any kind of design system. However, Paragraphs focuses solely on component composition and content composition, and therefore doesn't enable non-technical builders to control the display of structured data, or the page as a whole.
Layout Builder originally focused on providing site builders with a way to display structured data from entities using more complex layouts. For this reason, the out-of-the-box experience hasn't been optimized for content creation. As a result, some sites using Paragraphs also choose to use Layout Builder as a tool for builders to customize the page layout, leading to a less integrated UX.
All of the solutions we evaluated came with trade-offs. The core committer team decided to prioritize how well the solution would match with our Ambitious Site Builder persona and having an ability for market differentiation. Based on our research, evolving Layout Builder, and enhancing it with capabilities that exist in Paragraphs today best meets these criteria. This approach requires a lot of expertise and effort to realize our vision, in particular UX design, but makes it easier to migrate existing sites and integrate with other Drupal APIs and use cases.
Next steps
We have identified three lanes of work to implement the Experience Builder:
Creating a revamped user experience that is optimized for creating pages using components, as well as defining the layout for structured data.
Implementing a new mechanism for defining components, alongside blocks. Components can be defined through the UI as no-code components, or as code components. The experience for creating code components will be similar to Single Directory Components.
Implementing a browser-based theme builder that enables site builders to implement themes custom to brand without leaving the browser.
Expected timeline and call for help
The core committer team is convinced that a unified Experience Builder is one of the most important initiatives we can undertake. We are committed to moving quickly and iterating rapidly, but we need your support to succeed. We know that with the help of the community, we are able to develop a proof of concept and demo of the new user experience later this year. The first release as a contributed module is targeted for the first half of 2025.
If you are willing to help fund this project, you can reach out to Lauri or Dries. If you are willing to help with the implementation itself, we are planning to set up a recurring meeting. Join the #layouts channel on Drupal Slack for updates and opportunities to contribute!
New Things Happening At DrupalCon Portland
I attended my first DrupalCon in 2010 in San Francisco, and since then have attended six more in the US and two in Europe. Many elements stay the same, and are a welcome and treasured part of the DrupalCon experience: The DriesNote, the group picture, the keynotes, the BOFs, the sessions and trainings and parties and hallway conversation, on and on. While you can look forward to more of those this year, here are a few additional features that have been added this year to Drupalcon Portland 2024:
Marketing Track
Recognizing the value that effective marketing brings to Drupal websites, DrupalCon 2024 will feature a substantial amount of content specifically targeted to marketers. The Marketing Track features a dozen sessions of particular interest to CMOs and other marketing professionals, including presentations about AI, Personalization, Content Strategy, and multi-channel engagement. Stay tuned for more information about content of particular interest to CMOs.
Extended Welcoming Party
Everybody likes a party, and this year the opening reception is two full hours. You can look forward to dancing to the robot DJ on a light-up dance floor, recording yourself in the 360 photobooth, playing with a giant Lite Brite, and enjoying free food and drink.
Nonprofit Summit
It’s back! After a short break, the Nonprofit Summit returns to DrupalCon, connecting Drupal users from the Nonprofit sector with each other. Facilitated discussions, round table group sessions, and special pricing for the conference and summit are just a few of the features that will help deliver the power of Drupal to one of our most important communities.
Enhanced focus on students
Drupal needs to continuously attract new people. Recognizing this, DrupalCon 2024 is making extra efforts to reach out to students. Targeted advertising to local student communities, focusing on the career-enhancing opportunities of the Drupalcon job fair, mentorship, resume help, and a special student discount price of only $50, job fair, mentorship, and resume help are a few of the enhancements that are specifically aimed at students.
Community-designed DrupalCon T-shirt
New this year, the Drupal Association ran a design contest for the official DrupalCon Portland t-shirt. Many great entries were received, and the winning design will be announced at DrupalCon, and available on the free attendee T-shirt.
As you can see, there are lots of new reasons to join the Drupal community in Portland this May. We can’t wait to see you, so register here!
Marketing Track
Recognizing the value that effective marketing brings to Drupal websites, DrupalCon 2024 will feature a substantial amount of content specifically targeted to marketers. The Marketing Track features a dozen sessions of particular interest to CMOs and other marketing professionals, including presentations about AI, Personalization, Content Strategy, and multi-channel engagement. Stay tuned for more information about content of particular interest to CMOs.
Extended Welcoming Party
Everybody likes a party, and this year the opening reception is two full hours. You can look forward to dancing to the robot DJ on a light-up dance floor, recording yourself in the 360 photobooth, playing with a giant Lite Brite, and enjoying free food and drink.
Nonprofit Summit
It’s back! After a short break, the Nonprofit Summit returns to DrupalCon, connecting Drupal users from the Nonprofit sector with each other. Facilitated discussions, round table group sessions, and special pricing for the conference and summit are just a few of the features that will help deliver the power of Drupal to one of our most important communities.
Enhanced focus on students
Drupal needs to continuously attract new people. Recognizing this, DrupalCon 2024 is making extra efforts to reach out to students. Targeted advertising to local student communities, focusing on the career-enhancing opportunities of the Drupalcon job fair, mentorship, resume help, and a special student discount price of only $50, job fair, mentorship, and resume help are a few of the enhancements that are specifically aimed at students.
Community-designed DrupalCon T-shirt
New this year, the Drupal Association ran a design contest for the official DrupalCon Portland t-shirt. Many great entries were received, and the winning design will be announced at DrupalCon, and available on the free attendee T-shirt.
As you can see, there are lots of new reasons to join the Drupal community in Portland this May. We can’t wait to see you, so register here!
April Drupal for Nonprofits Chat: Getting Ready for DrupalCon
Join us THURSDAY, April 18 at 1pm ET / 10am PT, for our regularly scheduled call to chat about all things Drupal and nonprofits. (Convert to your local time zone.)
This month we'll be preparing for DrupalCon Portland, which features the return of the Nonprofit Summit!
And we'll of course also have time to discuss anything else that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!
All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.
This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone.
Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653
Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
Passcode: 551681
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)
Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N
Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes
View notes of previous months' calls.
This month we'll be preparing for DrupalCon Portland, which features the return of the Nonprofit Summit!
And we'll of course also have time to discuss anything else that's on our minds at the intersection of Drupal and nonprofits. Got something specific you want to talk about? Feel free to share ahead of time in our collaborative Google doc: https://nten.org/drupal/notes!
All nonprofit Drupal devs and users, regardless of experience level, are always welcome on this call.
This free call is sponsored by NTEN.org and open to everyone.
Join the call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81817469653
Meeting ID: 818 1746 9653
Passcode: 551681
One tap mobile:
+16699006833,,81817469653# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81817469653# US (Houston)
Dial by your location:
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kpV1o65N
Follow along on Google Docs: https://nten.org/drupal/notes
View notes of previous months' calls.
Upgrade Your Drupalcon: Register for DrupalCon’s Higher Education Summit
This blog post was written by DrupalCon Portland Higher Education Summit Committee members Megan Bygness Bradley and Michael Miles.
As a part of the landscape of higher education web technology, many of us are navigating the digital realm somewhat disconnected from one another. We’re solving similar problems, but do not often have the opportunity to talk to others about the whys, hows, and the gotchas of implementing within the sphere of higher ed. DrupalCon Portland's Higher Education Summit is tailor-made for you! It's not just another conference; it's an amazing opportunity to connect, collaborate, and elevate your expertise in Drupal with your peers in the higher education sector.
Why Attend?
The Higher Education Summit at DrupalCon isn't just about listening to speakers; it's about engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing experiences, and building valuable connections within the higher education community.
Dive Deep into Drupal Best Practices
Whether you're a seasoned Drupal user or just getting started, this summit offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise tailored to the higher education sector. Learn about the latest Drupal developments, strategies for site management, effective documentation and training techniques, and more.
Connect with Peers
Connect with fellow web developers, content creators, designers, strategists, and managers from universities and colleges around the world. Share insights, learn from each other's experiences, and build a network of like-minded professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities within higher education.
Gain Insights from Drupal Experts in Higher Ed
From lightning talks to sponsor presentations, the summit features a lineup of industry experts sharing their insights and experiences. Learn from speakers who have successfully navigated the intersection of Drupal and higher education. See the Summit schedule here.
Participate in Interactive Discussions
The summit format is designed to be relaxed and informal, fostering open discussions and collaboration. Engage in small group discussions after every talk and Birds of a Feather sessions focused on topics such as site management, documentation and training, design and UX, AI, and more.
Collaborate and Network
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Discover how Drupal can empower your institution by collaborating and networking with people just like you from across the world.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, network with peers, and gain insights from industry experts at DrupalCon's Higher Education Summit. Whether you're looking to optimize your Drupal workflow, enhance the user experience, or navigate the challenges of higher education, this summit has something for you. Register now and elevate your expertise in Drupal within the higher education sector!
As a part of the landscape of higher education web technology, many of us are navigating the digital realm somewhat disconnected from one another. We’re solving similar problems, but do not often have the opportunity to talk to others about the whys, hows, and the gotchas of implementing within the sphere of higher ed. DrupalCon Portland's Higher Education Summit is tailor-made for you! It's not just another conference; it's an amazing opportunity to connect, collaborate, and elevate your expertise in Drupal with your peers in the higher education sector.
Why Attend?
The Higher Education Summit at DrupalCon isn't just about listening to speakers; it's about engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing experiences, and building valuable connections within the higher education community.
Dive Deep into Drupal Best Practices
Whether you're a seasoned Drupal user or just getting started, this summit offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise tailored to the higher education sector. Learn about the latest Drupal developments, strategies for site management, effective documentation and training techniques, and more.
Connect with Peers
Connect with fellow web developers, content creators, designers, strategists, and managers from universities and colleges around the world. Share insights, learn from each other's experiences, and build a network of like-minded professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities within higher education.
Gain Insights from Drupal Experts in Higher Ed
From lightning talks to sponsor presentations, the summit features a lineup of industry experts sharing their insights and experiences. Learn from speakers who have successfully navigated the intersection of Drupal and higher education. See the Summit schedule here.
Participate in Interactive Discussions
The summit format is designed to be relaxed and informal, fostering open discussions and collaboration. Engage in small group discussions after every talk and Birds of a Feather sessions focused on topics such as site management, documentation and training, design and UX, AI, and more.
Collaborate and Network
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Discover how Drupal can empower your institution by collaborating and networking with people just like you from across the world.
Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to expand your knowledge, network with peers, and gain insights from industry experts at DrupalCon's Higher Education Summit. Whether you're looking to optimize your Drupal workflow, enhance the user experience, or navigate the challenges of higher education, this summit has something for you. Register now and elevate your expertise in Drupal within the higher education sector!
