We are seven weeks out to Kiwi PyCon XIII!
In a little under two months, hundreds of our fellow Python developers and technologists will be joining us in Wellington for three days of learning, teaching, and networking.
In this post we’ll be giving you the run-down of what you’re getting for your ticket. This is the thirteenth Kiwi PyCon and we think it’s the best line up we’ve had yet.
(also, read through to the bottom to see a preview of our t-shirt design for 2024!)
Four Friday workshops
On Friday we’re hosting four deep-dive workshops, presented by highly experienced facilitators.
- A Python four-hour crash course hosted by Dr Grant Paton-Simpson
- Exploratory data analysis presented by Dr Ben Denham
- MicroPython for the internet of things with Dr Glenn Ramsey
- Finally, an introduction to web application security, presented by Ethan McKee-Harris
Each session is four hours long, with breaks for fully-catered morning/afternoon teas and lunch. These are real deep-dives and you’re bound to learn something new.
Friday night race conditions!
An event for everyone, “Race Condition” on Friday is a fun coding competition where small teams of programmers compete head to head on the big screen(s) to see who can solve Python coding problems in the shortest amount of time – all while being cheered on (and distracted by) a crowd of their peers.
Join us from 6.30pm and either form a team, or just enjoy the show! Drinks and food will be available.
Twenty-two conference presentations
If you browse our schedule I think you’ll agree with me that this is the most exciting programme we’ve had at Kiwi PyCon yet. We’re thrilled to have twenty-two talented speakers from all over the country and the world, coming to share their expertise with all of us here in Wellington.
This year the two tracks are roughly streamed between talks suitable for all experience levels, and talks geared towards advanced pythonistas, so no matter where you’re at with your journey, I think there will be something of interest for you.
Two international keynotes
On Saturday we’re privileged to be joined by Deb Nicholson, executive director of the Python Software Foundation. And on Sunday by Dr Russell Keith Magee, founder of the BeeWare project and former five-year president of the Django Software Foundation.
It will be the first time at Kiwi PyCon for both our keynotes, and we’re thrilled to host them and hear their respective discussions on the future of Python — the language, the software ecosystem and the human ecosystem.
A panel discussion
On Saturday afternoon we’ll be holding a panel discussion hosted by our friend and former PyCon AU Chair Katie McLaughlin. The details are still being confirmed but it promises to be a great chat with key members of the foundations and organisations fostering the Python ecosystem.
And as always: lightning talks
One of those “last but certainly not least” events. Lightning talks are a highlight of every Kiwi PyCon: a series of short-and-sharp talks on any topic, the line-up is decided by submissions at the conference itself. Who knows, you might be inspired to give your first lightning talk at Kiwi PyCon XIII!
Either way some of the most enduring memories of Kiwi PyCon come from the laughter or insight that can come from a quick-fire five minute about something you’re passionate about. They’re not to be missed!
And finally, one more thing…
Finally, to close off this post, we thought we’d leave you with our t-shirt design for Kiwi PyCon XIII. It’s one of our favourites so far.
See you in seven weeks!
