Tis The Conference Season!!!

It's almost March, when a young testers heart and mind, if they are so oriented and plugged in, starts to think about the upcoming Conference season and where they might go, who they might hear, and what they might say.

This year, I have decided to aim for three conferences. Two as a speaker, one as a supporting player, and I'll see if I can finagle one more if it makes sense and my company is cool with it.

First of all, for those in the Southern California area or those who will be attending STP-CON Spring 2013 (to be held April 22-25, 2013). I'll be there speaking on my experiences as a "Lone Tester in an Agile World". Actually, I may have to say that as an "Ex Lone Tester", as that's not my reality any longer, but I can say I certainly learned enough about what could be done, and most certainly what not to do, that it should be a fun and engaging session. My talk is on Thursday, Apr. 25, 2013, stating at 11:45 a.m.

The second conference is one I'd like to attend, and I've already made overtures as to how I can get a "crew pass" and work the show as a roving correspondent. Yes, I'm talking about the Selenium Conference 2013, to be held in Boston, MA June 10-12, 2013. My goal is to be a roving correspondent and create audio content that can then be distributed both at the conference or afterwards. The final decision still hasn't been made on this one, but I am hopeful. Either way, I'd like to see how I can be of service to this conference, and perhaps can package the materials to be available before the conference. Either way, I want to see this one success, and I want to be part of it one way or another.

I just received confirmation that I will be a full track speaker for CAST 2013, which is being held in Madison, WI, August 26-28, 2013. My topic for this conference will be how we went through and developed the (as of now) still baking content for the SummerQAmp initiative. What we learned, what went well, what went not so well, and the feedback that we have received along the way, both good and bad :).

That's what has been forecast thus far. as in all things plans may change, and I will likely look to opportunities that are weekend oriented and close to home, too. More on those opportunities as I hear about them. More to the point, I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can who can make it to any of these events :).