That’s always been my beef with XDC. They charge premium prices that only pros can afford and then target citizen developers that can’t. It just makes zero sense. Plus they always do venues that are very expensive rather than something more affordable for their target market.
I would argue the ARBP event we held at a Holiday Inn just outside of Atlanta was just as good as any XDC I’ve ever attended. Granted, I’m a little biased but we had good sessions, that were recorded, available for ARBP members nearly right away, and we had a good time despite not having organized nightly events. Plus the very inexpensive meal at the Soul Food restaurant was interesting (and fun). And I think the whole thing was $200/person.
ah yes
I was counting kem & christian as non-staff but yes both are mvp’s
my bad
Indeed
The first in Boulder was organized on very short notice and was fun
Atlanta had way more lead time & was better organized, fun & inexpensive
And VERY accessible from everywhere since it was in a major hub airport city
I would consider going, but Memphis isn’t a location I have any desire to visit. It’s not that I’m strictly opposed, I just don’t care. I usually like to make my visit about more than just the event, and there’s nothing there for me. I know there is for others, but for me… meh.
For the record, I cannot recall ever being asked to do something like that. I think it’s genuine. XDC events were my favorite time of the year.
On both points I agree
Unless my client(s) want me to go to meet them & possibly Xojo staff there’s no other reason for me to go
And XDC was by far one of my most favourite things
I can understand why as a Xojo employee (who buys into what they are doing every day) XDC would be exciting and a highlight. Looking in, as a pro developer, attending a developer conference where the company creating the tool doesn’t listen to its pro users, tries to silence its pro users and seems to focus on completely the wrong things for its pro users I can’t see any point in attending or why I’d consider it exciting. I can’t see why Citizen developers (who Xojo supposedly are more interested in) would attend unless they are going to meet and spend a lot of time with pro developers to learn from.
I was there with my two little girls (both HS grads now), and learned how to create a functional if not utilitarian Web 1.0 application. Then we went to Disneyland. It was a good conference.
Honestly, I prefer they don’t do meals at conferences. I’d rather take in the local eateries. It also allows folks to make their own budget. For example, I don’t eat three meals a day. OMAD ftw.
Certainly a dichotomy
The conference pretty much caters to Pro users
Whenever they did a by hand poll of attendees as to who was a consultant, who wrote code all day every day, etc it sure seemed to be full time developers there
Yet certain other statements have been made that would lead you to believe these same users AREN’T a focus
Made no sense to me
I truly believed that a Professional tool could be made that non-full timers could use, find approachable, etc but that doesn’t seem to be a shared belief
From experience catering by the hotel is often expensive
Sometimes IF you book space at a hotel they make it very expensive to rent space UNLESS you also take their catering
So its hard to know what the drivers are there
it may be that sort of thing
Or not - I do not know
BUT I agree - I like trying local food & eateries everywhere I go
I always consider going. There hasn’t been a single one where I didn’t check my calendar, my budget, and the schedule of events/presentations. Lately though the price has been my biggest hurdle. I can afford them but the benefits just never seem to pencil out for me. Maybe im just old and cheap now.
That’s another good point. Christian puts on a good conference with a lot of content and it’s not very expensive and is usually held in an interesting place. I’ve enjoyed them because of the diverse people it draws from and Christian usually invites everyone to have a touring day which is always appreciated and give us an excuse to be a tourist after some work.
If I hadn’t left consulting (and started a full time gig), and if my training videos were remotely relevant anymore, I had thought about doing small regional training events now that I’m living in an RV. I simply do.not.care anymore.
While I was consulting I usually got a lead or two at XDC. Could usually plan on selling a license or two of Shorts, ARGen, or FTC. I hadn’t gone for any session, really, the last 4 or 5 XDC’s. It was always to see my Xojo friends, and make new clients, and enjoy myself a little. The Xojo friends have mostly moved on now as have I (though I’m using Xojo daily).
