Why Catskills Conf?

In a little less than 2 months, Catskills Conf 2016 will be happening.

Organizing a conference is not easy. People do it for financial gain or for reputation or because they just love the eight hundred million little details that go in to making something great.

I don’t really get any of that out of running Catskills Conf. I’m doing it because I feel like its something that needs to be done: The Hudson Valley needs a home-grown gathering for technologists and like minded people to celebrate and be inspired by our region.

Last year, I managed to convince a lot of great people to come and spend the weekend together based on that simple idea. It’s a little difficult to sell Catskills Conf because its not a typical tech conference.

We have talks, but they’re not really the singular focus of the weekend. Last year we had some truly great talks that you can watch here, and this year we have some speakers I really can’t wait to announce. The talks are interweaved with time to talk, to enjoy the outdoors, and relax.

We have workshops, but they’re not typical workshops. Instead of learning a new framework, you’ll be getting hands-on experience doing things you never thought you would. This years workshops include botanical drawing, blacksmithing, and cider fermentation.

We have parties, but they’re not your average hold-a-warm-beer-while-trying-to-yell-over-people-in-a-loud-bar kind of party. You’ll watch intimate concerts with renowned folk musicians, sit by a giant bonfire, and if you’re up for it, learn to square dance.

We’re trying to make Catskills Conf a memorable experience. A retreat in the true sense of the word: Escaping the ordinary, and finding something new and inspiring.

So what I’m trying to say is, see you there?