How to Get the Most Out of PyCon US

Talks

Go to as many of the talks as you want, but you don’t need to attend them all. You’ll only get stressed as you run from room to room. Instead, ensure you hit up the talks you selected before coming. Although it’s rare, the schedule can change, so check the schedule board daily to catch any changes.

If there’s a conflict between two talks you want to attend, remember that all presentations are recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Sometimes, they’re even available that same day! Pick the talk that will be the most relevant to your situation and seems the most interesting to you. Then take note of the talk you’ll miss, and watch it later when you have some free time.

Even though all talks are available online, attending in person is still valuable. You’re more likely to retain the information, and you’ll have the chance to ask the presenter questions directly.

Remember, you don’t need to see all the so-called celebrity speakers. While they may get more attention in the Python community and seem like must-see sessions, every talk at PyCon goes through a rigorous selection process, ensuring that all speakers and topics are worth your time.

Sometimes, it’s better to see some less famous speakers because you can get better seats and have a greater chance to ask questions.

Remember to silence your phone and computer when you go to a talk. Noise can be very distracting to the audience and the speaker. Consider putting away your devices altogether and simply listening or taking notes with pen and paper.

Also consider thinking of questions related to the topic being discussed. Typically, there’s time set aside at the end for audience questions. If that time isn’t available, the presenters are usually very willing to answer questions in the hallway afterward.

Open Spaces

Open spaces are rooms that conference attendees can book. One-hour time slots are available throughout the day for anyone who wants to use them. These rooms are used to teach people, hold meetups, and even do yoga classes. They’re open for whatever activities you need them for, as long as you follow the Code of Conduct, of course.

You may want to visit these open spaces instead of a talk or a sponsor booth. Check out the open space board daily since it constantly changes. It’s a good idea to take a picture of the board to reference later.

Feel free to create your own open space. Remember that problem or specific question that you were looking for help with? Sign up for a room and ask for advice on that topic! You never know who might show up to help out.

Real Python hosted open spaces at PyCon in 2019 and 2022. They were great events with existing members and people who didn’t know us very well. We won’t be hosting an open space this year, but you should definitely check out some of the other exciting get-togethers happening at the conference.

If you’re an expert or have some limited knowledge about a topic you want to share, feel free to grab an open space for that as well! These spaces are intended to be whatever you want or need them to be, so don’t be shy about using them.

Sponsors

Visiting sponsors is a great way to get to know some of the companies that are using Python in their everyday workflows. There are some very big names that come almost every year: Microsoft, JetBrains, and Google, to name a few. At PyCon 2025, there will be about ninety-five sponsors! Going to a sponsor booth is great for many reasons, not just for the wonderful swag that everyone gives out. Here are a few of our favorites:

The greatest thing about sponsors being there is that you can speak with the actual developers of the tools and software you use. Say you have a problem with an Anaconda install on a Windows environment. You can go straight up to the Anaconda booth and ask questions! This is a great opportunity to talk to the developers and creators of the tools you use.

It’s not just developers that you get to meet, either. There are authors and content creators who come too. Walk the floor and strike up conversations. You’re bound to meet lots of interesting people.

Finally, meeting with the sponsors could lead to a job opportunity. Many sponsors are also looking for talented Python developers, and you can apply with them directly at their booths or during the job fair, which happens toward the end of the conference. If you’re not looking for a job, it’s still great to see what’s out there and what skills these companies are looking for to help you choose where to focus your learning.

Volunteer Opportunities

Have you ever wished you could contribute or give back to the Python community? Well, you can at PyCon.

So much work goes into making a conference happen, and none of it would be possible without volunteers. PyCon 2025 is looking for over 300 hours of on-site volunteer support!!

That sounds like a lot, but there are small ways you can make a difference. An hour or two of your time can be a big help, without taking away from your learning time. You also never know who you might rub shoulders with as a volunteer. You can learn more about helping out in the call for on-site volunteers. As you’ll see, there’s a little something for everyone.

After-Hours Activities

Even though the conference ends in the early evening, there’s still more to do after the conference wraps up for the day.

The first thing you should check out, even if only for a little while, is the lightning talks. These are five-minute slots available for anyone to share their knowledge on a topic. The talks span a wide range of subjects, from new open-source projects to social commentary and philanthropy. Did you know that Docker was first publicly announced during a PyCon lightning talk? The lightning talks have become a popular staple for regular attendees.

Also, be on the lookout for sponsors doing sponsored dinners with members of their company. This is a great way to build up your network and get a free dinner as well. PyCon does host dinner parties in the evenings, but these cost money and typically sell out really quickly.

Even if you don’t get in on the official PyCon dinners or the sponsored ones, there’s always plenty to check out near the conference. Each conference location is selected in part because of the interesting things nearby. When you’re getting ready for the conference, look for fun places to eat. You’ll find that downtown Pittsburgh has plenty.

New Friends

One of the most significant pieces of advice for going to PyCon is to make a new friend each day.

The lunch and snack breaks are some of the best times to get to know someone at PyCon. Instead of trying to pick an empty table, find one that already has a person or two and ask if you can join them.

Strike up a conversation about their favorite talk so far, or how they use Python in their day-to-day activities. Before long, you might find you’ve made a new friend. You can take a few notes about your conversation, whether mentally or literally, so that you can remember that person later on.

To stay in touch with the people you meet, consider creating business cards that include your contact information. Additionally, update any profiles you share, such as LinkedIn or GitHub.