Abstractions is skipping 2020
Abstractions II was a special event in the history of Code & Supply. It proved that our stalwart, volunteer team could pull off a huge conference again.
The first Abstractions, held in 2016, was a lofty goal for us. Built on our combined decades of conference organization experience, we aimed to attract well-known names and create a platform for new speakers alike in the largest software-focused event in Pittsburgh in a generation. We did it, and Abstractions was highly praised.
Conference organizing at the scale of Abstractions is challenging for a volunteer team of our size. We always strive to experiment so that we don’t stagnate. Our experimentation lead us to build custom systems and software that enabled us to present our attendees with a unique experience. We built our software and hardware tools when we couldn’t find tools that met our needs. We tried out mail-order fulfillment, and attendees entered quicker than ever using our wristbands. We developed our lead generation and access control solutions. We were fast and efficient, investing time in products that we could eventually take to market. Our risks paid off. All of these things helped us keep Abstractions affordable, approachable, and welcoming.
In addition to our grand ambitions related to creating the best event possible, the 2019 cycle presented our team with challenges. Our organizer team was small, fewer than 10, all with their unique stresses from day jobs, or sudden lack thereof, and life outside conference organizing. Our small team experienced a whole lot of life during that time and still managed to deliver a fantastic event that we’re very proud of.
We’re taking 2020 off from Abstractions so that we can focus our energy on careers and new jobs, friendships and relationships, and other endeavors and pursuits.
Instead of Abstractions, we’re doing a 2020 edition of Heartifacts, our mental health, communication, and community building conference. These topics and its intentionally intimate structure mean Heartifacts is inherently smaller and easier for us to produce while still focusing on those things. Learn more about Heartifacts by checking out its sub-site at https://codeandsupply.co/heartifacts, which features the 2018 conference program as of the date this post is published.
We sincerely thank the dozens of people that purchased pre-order tickets, which we’ve refunded. Your enthusiasm for Abstractions filled us with joy. We hope that we will reignite your excitement when we launch pre-order for the next Abstractions event, whenever that may be.
See you soon.
