Our work began well before the formal announcement of the AI Initiative. Drupal Developer Days, in April, for example was a focused week of meetings, healthy debate, collaboration and consensus building which laid the foundations for the Initiative.
Launching marketing efforts
Much has already been achieved in raising awareness of Drupal AI. Thanks to the efforts of James Abrahams, Marcus Johansson, Frederik Wouters and many others, there is already a strong body of material in place — including high-quality presentations, conference talks, and resources such as workflows-of-ai.com — all showcasing the capabilities of Drupal AI.
With the announcement of the Drupal AI Initiative, comes support from The Drupal Association, permission to create pages on Drupal.org in prominent locations, agency to scale marketing efforts. Part of the backing offered by the 6 founding companies of the AI initiative is resources to deliver marketing, both time and money. This is already starting to deliver tangible results.
A growing team
In the beginning the team consisted of Frederik Wouters (Drop Solid) and myself (1xINTERNET). Immediately following Drupal Dev Days we started creating content for the new landing pages, working with Dries on the announcement video, collaborating with designers at 1xINTERNET to produce supporting imagery. In parallel staff from all the initiative founding companies were preparing exhibition stands, printed materials and social media in preparation to exhibit at AI Summit London.
Webinar Series with The European Commission (EC)
In the meantime James Abrahams (Freely Give) and Dries were preparing for the launch of the Drupal AI webinar series in partnership with the EC. Following the resounding success of the Drupal@Europa Web Platform Hackathon, the European Commission agreed to host a webinar series which will be run by our team, the first recording of which is available to watch on YouTube. Be sure to register for the upcoming webinars in the series.
AI Summit London
Literally the day after the AI Initiative launch, we were heading for London to showcase Drupal AI at AI Summit, a leading business-focused conference on artificial intelligence, held annually as part of London Tech Week. Our exhibiting supports objectives of The Drupal Association to see Drupal's profile raised at major marketing and digital industry events globally.
Together with colleagues from Drop Solid, Freely Give, Amazee.io, 1xINTERNET, the Drupal Association and Acquia, we came together with a shared purpose to represent Drupal AI at this event. It brought together stakeholders from government, the public and cultural sectors, and enterprise, all exploring how AI can be meaningfully integrated into their organisations.
We took the opportunity to capture some interviews introducing the AI Initiative and to explain how the focus it brings will see momentum in Drupal taken to another level.
Drupal AI Ask Me Anything
Our aim is to run regular Webinars to help keep the community aware of our progress, educate and raise awareness amongst potential customers and end users of the potential of Drupal AI offers. This month we organised our first webinar, an AMA aimed towards Drupal community members. You can access a recording and read highlights here.
Join our weekly AI Marketing meetings
With the launch announcement completed, we have now established weekly meetings on Monday 17:00 BST to accommodate our growing and global team. We’d love to have you join us. If you would like an invite, please drop us a message on #ai-initiative-marketing Slack, which is our primary collaboration channel.
We are pleased to now have several active contributors to the marketing team including:
Matthew Saunders (matthews)
Kristen Pol (kristen pol)
Lenny Moskalyk (lenny-moskalyk)
Jason Lewis (jason-lewis)
Maggie Schröder
Alan Botwright
Jennifer Griffin Smith
Owen Milbury
Nick Koger (nkoger)
Matt Wetmore
Frederik Wouters (wouters_f)
myself (pdjohnson)
You can get a sense of the work we have planned in the AI Initiative issue queue. These are particularly well suited to anyone seeking to make non code contributions including content creation, marketing strategy, media outreach, project management, community affairs. There is plenty to do, we are happy to mentor and onboard new contributors. Start your journey today!
Photos: Paul Johnson available on Flickr (AI Summit, Drupal Developer Days)
Welcome to the Drupal AI Initiative: What We Learned from Our June 26 Webinar
The BIG Idea: Open, Safe AI for Everyone
At its core, the Drupal AI Initiative is about helping organisations adopt AI responsibly. As Paul Johnson put it:
“We’re looking to tell the amazing story of how Drupal AI can help organisations that want to adopt AI that is safe and in a way where freedom remains to make their own choices.” - Paul Johnson
The group shared updates on work happening in AI Core, including modules for agents, logging, testing, and a new Experience Builder that aims to make page creation smarter without compromising on security or trust.
“I’m not a programmer myself. Everything we've done with AI we’ve tried to build in a way that analysts, PMs, even content editors can make use of.” - Jamie Abrahams
Key Points From the Q&A
Attendees asked important questions, and were answered transparently:
Funding: Smaller agencies raised concerns about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving AI space. The group discussed options like the Makers funding program and collaborative approaches to share costs.
Safe adoption: Several participants asked how to keep up with AI’s breakneck pace while avoiding dead-ends. The consensus: stick to open standards, contribute upstream, and share what works.
Contribution paths: For developers and marketers alike, there are plenty of ways to get involved, from writing documentation to building modules to promoting best practices. Join the Drupal AI Marketing Weekly to pitch in.
“Most important, we are here to listen to your feedback.” - Baddy Breidert
How To Get Involved
All the slides from the session are available here. You’ll also find handy links:
Drupal AI Strategy PDF
Starshot AI Initiative page
Developer Docs
Connect with Dominique or Jamie to get hands-on.
What Can You Do Next?
Watch the recording: Welcome to the Drupal AI Initiative
Join the conversation: Hop into the AI issue queue, Slack channels, or reach out to the working group.
Stay tuned: More sessions, training, and contribution sprints are on the way, including the Drupal GovCon AI training and hack-a-thon later this year.
This initiative will only succeed if it’s shaped by the whole community. If you care about building a safe, open, and innovative Drupal AI ecosystem. Your input matters.
“Please stay tuned for the upcoming webinars and upcoming news.” - Lenny Moskalyk
And See you next time!
Marketplace Share Out #7: The MVP Proposal Is Here – What We’re Testing and How to Shape It
The Drupal Site Template Marketplace MVP proposal is now live for community review through 13 July 2025 in the Innovation Issue Queue.
After hundreds of community voices contributed through surveys, Slack, and Real-Time Collaboration sessions, this MVP reflects what we’ve heard: a trusted, flexible, and contributor-friendly ecosystem is possible—if we design it thoughtfully.
What’s in the MVP?
This Minimum Valuable Product (MVP) is a structured experiment targeted for launch at DrupalCon Chicago 2026. Key features include:
Up to 15 curated DrupalCMS Site Templates (free and paid), listed on Drupal.org
Initial participation limited to Drupal Certified Partners (DCPs) to streamline quality and feedback (expansion beyond DCPs may occur post-MVP)
Makers set their own prices and sell directly to users (off-platform)
A 10% revenue share from paid template sales and upsell services is directed to the Drupal Association
Submission fee: $395 per new listing, with a $250 annual review fee
Baseline standards for all templates include:
Accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA)
Security and licensing compliance
Self-certified GDPR readiness (if applicable)
Documentation, maintenance commitments, and user support expectations
Regular feedback collection
Discoverability features including tags, badges, and demo previews
Templates must be built for DrupalCMS, using the Recipes schema, demo content, and XB-compatible themes
Templates will undergo automated and manual reviews, conducted by DA Staff (or contractors), with badges and trust indicators displayed where applicable
Governance and policy oversight by Drupal Association staff during the MVP; future transitions to community-hybrid models are planned
What the MVP Is Designed to Test
This isn’t just a launch—it’s a test-and-learn cycle designed to validate whether a Site Template Marketplace is desirable, feasible, and sustainable. The MVP will help us understand:
What types of templates people adopt—and what makes them valuable
Whether direct sales by makers are viable, and what pricing models emerge
What kinds of support, trust signals, and governance policies matter most
Whether the DA can sustainably operate and review templates at scale
How to balance monetization with fairness, contributor credit, and open source values
We’ll use this data to decide whether to expand, adapt, or stop the Marketplace after a 3-6 month MVP.
Submission Fee and Revenue Model
To help fund reviews and platform operations, the MVP includes:
$395 USD per new site template listing
$250 USD for annual review and revalidation
Site Template Makers:
Set their own pricing for paid templates
Transact directly with users (outside of Drupal.org infrastructure)
Report anonymized data quarterly (downloads, revenue, support volumes)
Keep 90% of revenue, while contributing 10% to the Drupal Association based on completed transactions quarterly
Why This MVP Matters
We’ve heard the same call again and again: make it easier to get started with Drupal—without compromising quality or community values. This MVP is a first attempt to meet that need, grounded in clear standards, shared incentives, and real-world feedback.
Let’s test it together—with care, clarity, and Drupal’s best interests at heart.
What’s Next?
Public comment period is open through 13 July 2025
Marketplace Working Group meets 15 July 2025 to review input and finalize its recommendation
The Drupal Association Board will vote 24 July on whether to move forward with implementation
How You Can Help
Your voice is essential to shaping a Marketplace that works for the community. Here’s how to get involved:
Read the full MVP proposal
Give feedback in #drupal-cms-marketplace on Slack, anonymously through the Feedback Form or via the public issue queue
Share this with your team or clients—especially those who create or use starter templates
Let’s build something that’s good for contributors, great for users, and unmistakably Drupal.
After hundreds of community voices contributed through surveys, Slack, and Real-Time Collaboration sessions, this MVP reflects what we’ve heard: a trusted, flexible, and contributor-friendly ecosystem is possible—if we design it thoughtfully.
What’s in the MVP?
This Minimum Valuable Product (MVP) is a structured experiment targeted for launch at DrupalCon Chicago 2026. Key features include:
Up to 15 curated DrupalCMS Site Templates (free and paid), listed on Drupal.org
Initial participation limited to Drupal Certified Partners (DCPs) to streamline quality and feedback (expansion beyond DCPs may occur post-MVP)
Makers set their own prices and sell directly to users (off-platform)
A 10% revenue share from paid template sales and upsell services is directed to the Drupal Association
Submission fee: $395 per new listing, with a $250 annual review fee
Baseline standards for all templates include:
Accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA)
Security and licensing compliance
Self-certified GDPR readiness (if applicable)
Documentation, maintenance commitments, and user support expectations
Regular feedback collection
Discoverability features including tags, badges, and demo previews
Templates must be built for DrupalCMS, using the Recipes schema, demo content, and XB-compatible themes
Templates will undergo automated and manual reviews, conducted by DA Staff (or contractors), with badges and trust indicators displayed where applicable
Governance and policy oversight by Drupal Association staff during the MVP; future transitions to community-hybrid models are planned
What the MVP Is Designed to Test
This isn’t just a launch—it’s a test-and-learn cycle designed to validate whether a Site Template Marketplace is desirable, feasible, and sustainable. The MVP will help us understand:
What types of templates people adopt—and what makes them valuable
Whether direct sales by makers are viable, and what pricing models emerge
What kinds of support, trust signals, and governance policies matter most
Whether the DA can sustainably operate and review templates at scale
How to balance monetization with fairness, contributor credit, and open source values
We’ll use this data to decide whether to expand, adapt, or stop the Marketplace after a 3-6 month MVP.
Submission Fee and Revenue Model
To help fund reviews and platform operations, the MVP includes:
$395 USD per new site template listing
$250 USD for annual review and revalidation
Site Template Makers:
Set their own pricing for paid templates
Transact directly with users (outside of Drupal.org infrastructure)
Report anonymized data quarterly (downloads, revenue, support volumes)
Keep 90% of revenue, while contributing 10% to the Drupal Association based on completed transactions quarterly
Why This MVP Matters
We’ve heard the same call again and again: make it easier to get started with Drupal—without compromising quality or community values. This MVP is a first attempt to meet that need, grounded in clear standards, shared incentives, and real-world feedback.
Let’s test it together—with care, clarity, and Drupal’s best interests at heart.
What’s Next?
Public comment period is open through 13 July 2025
Marketplace Working Group meets 15 July 2025 to review input and finalize its recommendation
The Drupal Association Board will vote 24 July on whether to move forward with implementation
How You Can Help
Your voice is essential to shaping a Marketplace that works for the community. Here’s how to get involved:
Read the full MVP proposal
Give feedback in #drupal-cms-marketplace on Slack, anonymously through the Feedback Form or via the public issue queue
Share this with your team or clients—especially those who create or use starter templates
Let’s build something that’s good for contributors, great for users, and unmistakably Drupal.
Marketplace Share Out #6: Preparing for the MVP Proposal
We’re excited to announce that a draft Drupal Site Template MVP Marketplace proposal will be released next week for public comment. This version outlines a clear Minimum Valuable Product (MVP) focused on early value, sustainability, and trust.
But first — here’s a look at what’s been shaping the direction of this proposal.
The Business Model Canvas: A Snapshot
To help align on strategy and priorities for the Site Template Marketplace, the Working Group created a Business Model Canvas—a simple tool that breaks down the core elements of how the Marketplace can deliver value and remain sustainable. The Working Group landed on an MVP model that centers:
Primary Users: Low-code/no-code marketers and freelancer agencies
Key Value: Trusted, flexible site templates that reduce time-to-launch and lower adoption barriers
Revenue Stream: application and referral fees on sales and upsell opportunities to support Drupal Association infrastructure
Cost Structure: Low-overhead pilot with both automated and staff-supported review
What We Heard: Shared Priorities Across Surveys and Slack
More than 500 people have shared their perspectives across four surveys—and others have weighed in through Slack discussions, real-time collaboration, and open conversations.
This community and end-user input has been honest, nuanced, and incredibly generous. It has revealed clear patterns, thoughtful tensions, and strong signals of where the community wants to go. So as in advance of the MVP proposal’s release, let’s reflect back what we’ve heard so far.
1. Trust Starts with Quality, Transparency, and Previews
Both in survey responses and in Slack, the message was the same: don’t launch unless people can trust what they’re getting.
Top trust signals:
A live demo or preview (most consistently requested signal across all channels)
Clear documentation of dependencies and limitations
Visible signals of quality (badges, reviews, contributor reputation)
In Slack, people emphasized that even a great theme becomes untrustworthy if it’s hardcoded, inaccessible, or unclear about what it installs.
Show me a demo. Let me see the code. If it’s a mystery box, I won’t touch it.”
2. People Want a Marketplace That Reflects Drupal’s Open Source Values
From contributors and module maintainers to end users and evaluators, we heard a common theme: this effort should feel like Drupal.
Governance should be fair, transparent, and enforceable—not performative.
Monetization is okay—but must support the whole ecosystem, not just those selling templates.
Attribution matters. Contributors want to be credited, not cloned.
If someone else is profiting off my work, I need to at least be recognized.”
Slack also raised the importance of review pathways that aren’t vulnerable to sabotage or bias—suggesting a need for a mix of automation and paid staff to ensure fairness.
3. There’s Real Enthusiasm—for the Right Version of This
End users want this. Freelancers want this. Agencies want this.
85% of end-user survey respondents said vetted templates would increase their likelihood of recommending Drupal.
Agencies see templates as a powerful tool for demos, pre-sales, and fast-start projects.
Contributors are eager to participate—if it’s worth their time.
Key Tensions: Where We’ll Need to Find Balance
Pricing Expectations Don’t Match (Yet)
Users: Many want free or low-cost templates, especially smaller orgs and nonprofits.
Contributors: Cite $300–$1,000 as reasonable price points for a complete, maintained, accessible, and documented product.
Slack conversations added nuance: Some contributors are fine with lower prices if the marketplace generates leads or recognition. Others say without fair compensation, they simply won’t participate.
Certification: Signal or Gate?
Users want badges that help them sort and trust.
Contributors fear certification could slow things down or create an unfair playing field.
Slack participants suggested offering optional badges or tiers, not mandatory certification at launch. A common theme: start lightweight, evolve with real usage.
Monetization: Supportive or Distracting?
There’s broad support for monetization—but only if it’s done with intention.
Contributors want clear, fair revenue splits—and protection against cloned or stripped-down copies.
Users don’t want to encounter bait-and-switch upsells or gated features.
Slack conversations reinforced a desire to avoid WordPress-style chaos, emphasizing community moderation, ranking hygiene, and a meaningful DA role.
This has to feel like Drupal, not like a spammy plugin store.”
What’s Next: Your Turn
The Community public comment period will be open from 29 June 2025 through 13 July 2025. The Marketplace Working Group will meet on 15 July 2025 to review feedback and draft its final recommendation to the board for their go/no-go decision on 24 July 2025.
You will be able to share your thoughts by:
Anonymous feedback form
Issue queue
In Drupal Slack in #drupal-cms-marketplace
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who contributed through surveys, Slack, working sessions, and feedback. Your ideas, critiques, hopes, and flags are shaping this from the inside out. All of this feedback has resulted in a proposal that’s practical, community-aligned, and intentionally minimal.
This Marketplace effort is grounded in community—not just as a value, but as a working method. We’re exploring the Marketplace potential together — ideally, to create something not just to reduce friction for new users, but to grow a stronger, more sustainable Drupal ecosystem for all.
Stay tuned.
But first — here’s a look at what’s been shaping the direction of this proposal.
The Business Model Canvas: A Snapshot
To help align on strategy and priorities for the Site Template Marketplace, the Working Group created a Business Model Canvas—a simple tool that breaks down the core elements of how the Marketplace can deliver value and remain sustainable. The Working Group landed on an MVP model that centers:
Primary Users: Low-code/no-code marketers and freelancer agencies
Key Value: Trusted, flexible site templates that reduce time-to-launch and lower adoption barriers
Revenue Stream: application and referral fees on sales and upsell opportunities to support Drupal Association infrastructure
Cost Structure: Low-overhead pilot with both automated and staff-supported review
What We Heard: Shared Priorities Across Surveys and Slack
More than 500 people have shared their perspectives across four surveys—and others have weighed in through Slack discussions, real-time collaboration, and open conversations.
This community and end-user input has been honest, nuanced, and incredibly generous. It has revealed clear patterns, thoughtful tensions, and strong signals of where the community wants to go. So as in advance of the MVP proposal’s release, let’s reflect back what we’ve heard so far.
1. Trust Starts with Quality, Transparency, and Previews
Both in survey responses and in Slack, the message was the same: don’t launch unless people can trust what they’re getting.
Top trust signals:
A live demo or preview (most consistently requested signal across all channels)
Clear documentation of dependencies and limitations
Visible signals of quality (badges, reviews, contributor reputation)
In Slack, people emphasized that even a great theme becomes untrustworthy if it’s hardcoded, inaccessible, or unclear about what it installs.
Show me a demo. Let me see the code. If it’s a mystery box, I won’t touch it.”
2. People Want a Marketplace That Reflects Drupal’s Open Source Values
From contributors and module maintainers to end users and evaluators, we heard a common theme: this effort should feel like Drupal.
Governance should be fair, transparent, and enforceable—not performative.
Monetization is okay—but must support the whole ecosystem, not just those selling templates.
Attribution matters. Contributors want to be credited, not cloned.
If someone else is profiting off my work, I need to at least be recognized.”
Slack also raised the importance of review pathways that aren’t vulnerable to sabotage or bias—suggesting a need for a mix of automation and paid staff to ensure fairness.
3. There’s Real Enthusiasm—for the Right Version of This
End users want this. Freelancers want this. Agencies want this.
85% of end-user survey respondents said vetted templates would increase their likelihood of recommending Drupal.
Agencies see templates as a powerful tool for demos, pre-sales, and fast-start projects.
Contributors are eager to participate—if it’s worth their time.
Key Tensions: Where We’ll Need to Find Balance
Pricing Expectations Don’t Match (Yet)
Users: Many want free or low-cost templates, especially smaller orgs and nonprofits.
Contributors: Cite $300–$1,000 as reasonable price points for a complete, maintained, accessible, and documented product.
Slack conversations added nuance: Some contributors are fine with lower prices if the marketplace generates leads or recognition. Others say without fair compensation, they simply won’t participate.
Certification: Signal or Gate?
Users want badges that help them sort and trust.
Contributors fear certification could slow things down or create an unfair playing field.
Slack participants suggested offering optional badges or tiers, not mandatory certification at launch. A common theme: start lightweight, evolve with real usage.
Monetization: Supportive or Distracting?
There’s broad support for monetization—but only if it’s done with intention.
Contributors want clear, fair revenue splits—and protection against cloned or stripped-down copies.
Users don’t want to encounter bait-and-switch upsells or gated features.
Slack conversations reinforced a desire to avoid WordPress-style chaos, emphasizing community moderation, ranking hygiene, and a meaningful DA role.
This has to feel like Drupal, not like a spammy plugin store.”
What’s Next: Your Turn
The Community public comment period will be open from 29 June 2025 through 13 July 2025. The Marketplace Working Group will meet on 15 July 2025 to review feedback and draft its final recommendation to the board for their go/no-go decision on 24 July 2025.
You will be able to share your thoughts by:
Anonymous feedback form
Issue queue
In Drupal Slack in #drupal-cms-marketplace
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who contributed through surveys, Slack, working sessions, and feedback. Your ideas, critiques, hopes, and flags are shaping this from the inside out. All of this feedback has resulted in a proposal that’s practical, community-aligned, and intentionally minimal.
This Marketplace effort is grounded in community—not just as a value, but as a working method. We’re exploring the Marketplace potential together — ideally, to create something not just to reduce friction for new users, but to grow a stronger, more sustainable Drupal ecosystem for all.
Stay tuned.
A Coordinated Leap Forward: Introducing the Drupal AI Strategic Initiative
Filmed at the AI Summit at London Tech Week 2025, this two-minute video captures the passion and purpose behind the newly-launched Drupal AI Strategic Initiative.
Join Baddý and Jamie as they explain why this work is important and why we need the Drupal community to rally behind it.
“In order to get fast innovation in Drupal AI, we need people to work on the project—and we’re doing that by getting funding and full-time contributors from participating companies.”
— Baddý Sonja Breidert
“I’ve never seen something quite like this in the Drupal community… It’s coordinated innovation not for one company, but for the whole open source community.”
— Jamie Abrahams
Join Baddý and Jamie as they explain why this work is important and why we need the Drupal community to rally behind it.
“In order to get fast innovation in Drupal AI, we need people to work on the project—and we’re doing that by getting funding and full-time contributors from participating companies.”
— Baddý Sonja Breidert
“I’ve never seen something quite like this in the Drupal community… It’s coordinated innovation not for one company, but for the whole open source community.”
— Jamie Abrahams
DrupalCon North America 2026: Evolving for the Community
DrupalCon has always been a conference by the community, for the community—and as we look ahead to DrupalCon North America 2026 in Chicago, we’re making thoughtful changes to ensure it continues to reflect those values.
After a successful DrupalCon Atlanta, we’ve taken time to reflect, gather feedback, and make updates that prioritize access, sustainability, and community connection. Each of the changes outlined below is rooted in one or more of these values—whether it's improving affordability, building lasting relationships, or creating a more efficient and inclusive event experience. With guidance from the DrupalCon North America Steering Committee, we’re excited to share a refreshed ticket structure, updated volunteer policies, a reimagined Expo Hall, and a renewed focus on summits, trainings, and collaboration.
What’s New for 2026
Ticket Pricing: More Affordable, More Accessible
We’ve simplified and lowered the cost of general admission tickets to make DrupalCon more accessible—without sacrificing the quality of experience our community expects. These changes were driven by feedback from past DrupalCon attendees, the North American Steering Committee, and the community at large, all of whom expressed a strong desire for more affordable access to the event.
Ticket Tier
Atlanta 2025
Chicago 2026
Savings
Early Bird
$890
$575
$315
Regular
$990
$700
$290
Late/Onsite
$1,190
$850
$340
Early Bird registration opens September 15, 2025 and is open for 16 weeks!
Secure your ticket early to lock in the best rate.
Camp & Local Association Ticket Perks
For every 5 tickets purchased from a Drupal camp or local association, that community will receive 1 complimentary ticket to share with a deserving community member, with a max of 10 complimentary tickets per local camp or association. It's our way of reinvesting in local leadership and participation.
Updated Volunteer Ticket Policy
This change reflects our focus on access and sustainability. In our DrupalCon Atlanta recap blog, we highlighted how streamlined operations improved the event experience for attendees and volunteers alike. Building on that momentum, we recognized the need for clearer guidelines to ensure volunteer opportunities are distributed fairly and effectively.
We’ve updated the volunteer ticket structure to make it more equitable and scalable:
Volunteer under 20 hours → 25% discount
Volunteer 20+ hours → Complimentary ticket
These tickets are non-transferable and may not be combined with other discounts.
Previously, volunteer ticket codes were sometimes misused or distributed without proper oversight. These updated guidelines help preserve full complimentary tickets for those who contribute a significant amount of time and effort, while also creating new opportunities for others to attend at a reduced rate.
Additionally, we’ve streamlined the on-site registration process with self-check-in, reducing the need for a large number of on-site volunteers and allowing us to focus support where it’s most impactful.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer.
Summits & Trainings: Real Talk, Real Skills
Summits are one of DrupalCon’s most valuable opportunities for industry-specific collaboration and knowledge sharing. Designed to connect attendees working in the same verticals, these events offer focused access to speakers with real-world experience, engaging roundtable discussions with peers in similar roles, and meaningful conversations about shared challenges. Attendees walk away with practical takeaways and lasting connections, while participating sponsors have a chance to introduce themselves to leaders in the space in an organic, relevant way.
Taking place Monday, 23 March 2026.
Industry & Community Summits
Join peers in:
Healthcare
Higher Education
Government
Nonprofit
Community
Each summit features two half-day sessions that do not conflict with the main conference program, creating space for meaningful discussion and idea sharing.
Summit Type
Atlanta 2025
Chicago 2026
Industry Summit
$250
$300
Community Summit
Free
Free for RippleMaker members, $50 for non-member
(Click HERE to become a Ripple Maker)
Lunch is not included with the Community Summit, but a lunch ticket add-on will be available for purchase during registration.
Trainings
DrupalCon Trainings remain at $500 and offer deep-dive, expert-led learning opportunities on a wide range of Drupal skills.
More Community Updates
You’ll notice more networking spaces, and informal meeting zones—especially in the Expo Hall and hallways. We’re doubling down on meaningful, unstructured connections.
These changes are only possible through thoughtful cost management and the continued support of our sponsors. Their partnership helps us keep ticket prices accessible while delivering the high-quality experience the community expects. We’re grateful to those who invest in DrupalCon and help us create an event that welcomes and supports everyone.
Traveling from Outside the U.S.?
The Drupal Association is happy to issue official invitation letters for those requiring a visa.
Request your visa letter here.
Letters are generated automatically—just complete the form and check your email (including spam folders).
Key Dates
Milestone
Date
Program at a Glance Released
6 June 2025
Call for Speakers Opens
21 July 2025
Early Bird Registration Opens
15 September 2025
Call for Speakers Closes
26 September 2025
Grants & Scholarships Applications Open
1 October 2025
Grants & Scholarships Applications Close
31 October 2025
Session Notifications to Speakers
12 November 2025
Grant & Scholarship Recipients Announced
12 November 2025
Regular Registration Opens
5 January 2026
Conference Schedule Available
13 January 2026
Late Registration Opens
23 February 2026
DrupalCon Chicago
23-26 March 2026
Stay at the Heart of the Action
Hilton Chicago is DrupalCon’s official headquarters hotel—and it's where the magic happens.
From morning coffee chats to late-night strategy sessions in the lobby, this is where the community connects. Staying on-site helps you maximize your time, make spontaneous connections, and be part of the full experience.
Book your room at the Hilton Chicago.
Sponsorship Updates
We’re reimagining our sponsorship offerings to better connect you with the Drupal community—bringing fresh opportunities and updated packages designed for greater visibility, value, and impact.
Want to be the first to know when they go live? Email partnerships@association.drupal.org and we’ll make sure you're on the list.
Let’s Build What’s Next—Together
DrupalCon is more than just a conference—it’s the beating heart of our community. These changes help us keep that heart strong, inclusive, and accessible.
We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, 23-26 March 2026.
After a successful DrupalCon Atlanta, we’ve taken time to reflect, gather feedback, and make updates that prioritize access, sustainability, and community connection. Each of the changes outlined below is rooted in one or more of these values—whether it's improving affordability, building lasting relationships, or creating a more efficient and inclusive event experience. With guidance from the DrupalCon North America Steering Committee, we’re excited to share a refreshed ticket structure, updated volunteer policies, a reimagined Expo Hall, and a renewed focus on summits, trainings, and collaboration.
What’s New for 2026
Ticket Pricing: More Affordable, More Accessible
We’ve simplified and lowered the cost of general admission tickets to make DrupalCon more accessible—without sacrificing the quality of experience our community expects. These changes were driven by feedback from past DrupalCon attendees, the North American Steering Committee, and the community at large, all of whom expressed a strong desire for more affordable access to the event.
Ticket Tier
Atlanta 2025
Chicago 2026
Savings
Early Bird
$890
$575
$315
Regular
$990
$700
$290
Late/Onsite
$1,190
$850
$340
Early Bird registration opens September 15, 2025 and is open for 16 weeks!
Secure your ticket early to lock in the best rate.
Camp & Local Association Ticket Perks
For every 5 tickets purchased from a Drupal camp or local association, that community will receive 1 complimentary ticket to share with a deserving community member, with a max of 10 complimentary tickets per local camp or association. It's our way of reinvesting in local leadership and participation.
Updated Volunteer Ticket Policy
This change reflects our focus on access and sustainability. In our DrupalCon Atlanta recap blog, we highlighted how streamlined operations improved the event experience for attendees and volunteers alike. Building on that momentum, we recognized the need for clearer guidelines to ensure volunteer opportunities are distributed fairly and effectively.
We’ve updated the volunteer ticket structure to make it more equitable and scalable:
Volunteer under 20 hours → 25% discount
Volunteer 20+ hours → Complimentary ticket
These tickets are non-transferable and may not be combined with other discounts.
Previously, volunteer ticket codes were sometimes misused or distributed without proper oversight. These updated guidelines help preserve full complimentary tickets for those who contribute a significant amount of time and effort, while also creating new opportunities for others to attend at a reduced rate.
Additionally, we’ve streamlined the on-site registration process with self-check-in, reducing the need for a large number of on-site volunteers and allowing us to focus support where it’s most impactful.
Learn more and sign up to volunteer.
Summits & Trainings: Real Talk, Real Skills
Summits are one of DrupalCon’s most valuable opportunities for industry-specific collaboration and knowledge sharing. Designed to connect attendees working in the same verticals, these events offer focused access to speakers with real-world experience, engaging roundtable discussions with peers in similar roles, and meaningful conversations about shared challenges. Attendees walk away with practical takeaways and lasting connections, while participating sponsors have a chance to introduce themselves to leaders in the space in an organic, relevant way.
Taking place Monday, 23 March 2026.
Industry & Community Summits
Join peers in:
Healthcare
Higher Education
Government
Nonprofit
Community
Each summit features two half-day sessions that do not conflict with the main conference program, creating space for meaningful discussion and idea sharing.
Summit Type
Atlanta 2025
Chicago 2026
Industry Summit
$250
$300
Community Summit
Free
Free for RippleMaker members, $50 for non-member
(Click HERE to become a Ripple Maker)
Lunch is not included with the Community Summit, but a lunch ticket add-on will be available for purchase during registration.
Trainings
DrupalCon Trainings remain at $500 and offer deep-dive, expert-led learning opportunities on a wide range of Drupal skills.
More Community Updates
You’ll notice more networking spaces, and informal meeting zones—especially in the Expo Hall and hallways. We’re doubling down on meaningful, unstructured connections.
These changes are only possible through thoughtful cost management and the continued support of our sponsors. Their partnership helps us keep ticket prices accessible while delivering the high-quality experience the community expects. We’re grateful to those who invest in DrupalCon and help us create an event that welcomes and supports everyone.
Traveling from Outside the U.S.?
The Drupal Association is happy to issue official invitation letters for those requiring a visa.
Request your visa letter here.
Letters are generated automatically—just complete the form and check your email (including spam folders).
Key Dates
Milestone
Date
Program at a Glance Released
6 June 2025
Call for Speakers Opens
21 July 2025
Early Bird Registration Opens
15 September 2025
Call for Speakers Closes
26 September 2025
Grants & Scholarships Applications Open
1 October 2025
Grants & Scholarships Applications Close
31 October 2025
Session Notifications to Speakers
12 November 2025
Grant & Scholarship Recipients Announced
12 November 2025
Regular Registration Opens
5 January 2026
Conference Schedule Available
13 January 2026
Late Registration Opens
23 February 2026
DrupalCon Chicago
23-26 March 2026
Stay at the Heart of the Action
Hilton Chicago is DrupalCon’s official headquarters hotel—and it's where the magic happens.
From morning coffee chats to late-night strategy sessions in the lobby, this is where the community connects. Staying on-site helps you maximize your time, make spontaneous connections, and be part of the full experience.
Book your room at the Hilton Chicago.
Sponsorship Updates
We’re reimagining our sponsorship offerings to better connect you with the Drupal community—bringing fresh opportunities and updated packages designed for greater visibility, value, and impact.
Want to be the first to know when they go live? Email partnerships@association.drupal.org and we’ll make sure you're on the list.
Let’s Build What’s Next—Together
DrupalCon is more than just a conference—it’s the beating heart of our community. These changes help us keep that heart strong, inclusive, and accessible.
We can’t wait to see you in Chicago, 23-26 March 2026.
Introducing a free Drupal AI Webinar Series in Partnership with the European Commission
Drupal is entering a new era, transforming into an AI-first CMS. Powered by open, ethical, and human-centred AI.
We’re proud to launch the free webinar training series offered in partnership with the European Commission. These free, public webinars are designed to equip the global Drupal community with practical skills, architectural understanding, and the ethical frameworks needed to work with AI inside Drupal. Whether you’re a developer, site builder, content strategist, or part of a digital agency team, there’s something here for you.
The series brings together contributors from across the open source AI ecosystem, featuring maintainers of the AI module, members of the Drupal AI Strategic Initiative, and the wider Drupal CMS innovation team.
We really believe that the process of contributing—of trying things out, experimenting on difficult problems—helps bring AI knowledge into both individuals and their organisations.
Jamie Abrahams
Watch the first session recording today
“Bringing Drupal AI into your DNA - How to Learn, Use and Contribute to the Drupal AI Ecosystem”, aired live on 10 June and is available to watch on YouTube. Hosted by Jamie Abrahams (FreelyGive) with a guest appearance from Drupal founder Dries Buytaert (Acquia), this session outlined the architecture, vision, and community momentum behind Drupal’s approach to AI.
It introduced viewers to:
The AI module and its plugin-based approach to LLM providers
Use cases like content automation, accessibility improvements, and semantic search
The ethical principles guiding Drupal’s AI efforts: Trust, Transparency, and Choice
Drupal AI Agents and Swarms: modular, no-code AI orchestration already in use today
A strategic roadmap that includes tight integration with upcoming Experience Builder features and MCP (Model Context Protocol)
We imagine a future where site builders define the goal—like 300 event signups—and AI agents get to work alongside humans to make it happen.
Dries Buytaert
Upcoming Sessions
In the coming months, the webinar series continues with targeted training sessions that build upon each other. All sessions are free, recorded, and open to the public.
1 July: Installing the AI Module & Basic Features
2 September: AI Search
23 September: AI Agents (No-Code Creation)
7 October: Advanced: Build AI Agents with Code
Each webinar will include demonstrations, practical walk-throughs, and guidance on how to get started, contribute back, and explore AI ethically in your Drupal projects.
AI is not a substitute for human intelligence—it’s a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity.
Jamie Abrahams
Do You Want to Get Involved?
You can sign up for upcoming sessions and explore the series details. This is your opportunity to learn from the team building the future of Drupal and to participate in shaping it. Are you interested in content automation, smarter search, accessibility tooling, or advanced AI orchestration? Then this series is for you.
We can’t skip the human-in-the-loop. It’s essential that humans stay in control, and that AI in Drupal remains transparent, auditable, and ethical.
Dries Buytaert
If you believe in the power of open source, ethical tech, and community-led innovation, this is where to begin.
We’re proud to launch the free webinar training series offered in partnership with the European Commission. These free, public webinars are designed to equip the global Drupal community with practical skills, architectural understanding, and the ethical frameworks needed to work with AI inside Drupal. Whether you’re a developer, site builder, content strategist, or part of a digital agency team, there’s something here for you.
The series brings together contributors from across the open source AI ecosystem, featuring maintainers of the AI module, members of the Drupal AI Strategic Initiative, and the wider Drupal CMS innovation team.
We really believe that the process of contributing—of trying things out, experimenting on difficult problems—helps bring AI knowledge into both individuals and their organisations.
Jamie Abrahams
Watch the first session recording today
“Bringing Drupal AI into your DNA - How to Learn, Use and Contribute to the Drupal AI Ecosystem”, aired live on 10 June and is available to watch on YouTube. Hosted by Jamie Abrahams (FreelyGive) with a guest appearance from Drupal founder Dries Buytaert (Acquia), this session outlined the architecture, vision, and community momentum behind Drupal’s approach to AI.
It introduced viewers to:
The AI module and its plugin-based approach to LLM providers
Use cases like content automation, accessibility improvements, and semantic search
The ethical principles guiding Drupal’s AI efforts: Trust, Transparency, and Choice
Drupal AI Agents and Swarms: modular, no-code AI orchestration already in use today
A strategic roadmap that includes tight integration with upcoming Experience Builder features and MCP (Model Context Protocol)
We imagine a future where site builders define the goal—like 300 event signups—and AI agents get to work alongside humans to make it happen.
Dries Buytaert
Upcoming Sessions
In the coming months, the webinar series continues with targeted training sessions that build upon each other. All sessions are free, recorded, and open to the public.
1 July: Installing the AI Module & Basic Features
2 September: AI Search
23 September: AI Agents (No-Code Creation)
7 October: Advanced: Build AI Agents with Code
Each webinar will include demonstrations, practical walk-throughs, and guidance on how to get started, contribute back, and explore AI ethically in your Drupal projects.
AI is not a substitute for human intelligence—it’s a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity.
Jamie Abrahams
Do You Want to Get Involved?
You can sign up for upcoming sessions and explore the series details. This is your opportunity to learn from the team building the future of Drupal and to participate in shaping it. Are you interested in content automation, smarter search, accessibility tooling, or advanced AI orchestration? Then this series is for you.
We can’t skip the human-in-the-loop. It’s essential that humans stay in control, and that AI in Drupal remains transparent, auditable, and ethical.
Dries Buytaert
If you believe in the power of open source, ethical tech, and community-led innovation, this is where to begin.
Welcome to the Drupal AI Initiative: Webinar with the AI Initiative leadership team
You have probably heard about the new strategic Drupal AI Initiative announced by Dries and the DA a couple of weeks ago. Let’s get together to learn more about it!
We’ll discuss:
Initiative history and overview
How we are organized
Who’s involved, and how can you join
Where to find the latest information
Bring your questions for an AMA
Looking forward to seeing you. If the time doesn’t work for you, don’t worry, the webinar will be recorded and made available within a few days. And, you can ask follow-up questions in the #ai-initiative Slack channel.
Time: 26 June Thursday 1600 UK / 1700 CEST / 0800 Pacific / 1100 Eastern / 2030 India
To join the session, please, use this link to register.
We’ll discuss:
Initiative history and overview
How we are organized
Who’s involved, and how can you join
Where to find the latest information
Bring your questions for an AMA
Looking forward to seeing you. If the time doesn’t work for you, don’t worry, the webinar will be recorded and made available within a few days. And, you can ask follow-up questions in the #ai-initiative Slack channel.
Time: 26 June Thursday 1600 UK / 1700 CEST / 0800 Pacific / 1100 Eastern / 2030 India
To join the session, please, use this link to register.
