Dan (he/him) 
(79)
I blogged about contributing to CPython. I achieved a goal I set for myself for this #PyConUS and I am very happy!
This year I was asked to join the Program Committee for #PyConUS and I put together some thoughts on the process and advice for people proposing talks. If that's you, I hope this helps.
If you're thinking about attending #PyConUS and financial aid might help you make the decision to come, there's still a few hours left to request a travel grant! If you've never been it's an amazing experience full of wonderful people.
I printed a little mascot for us to have at @ThePSF booth at #PyConUS next month. Come say hi to it and us while you're there!
If you're coming to #PyConUS next month 🤯 you really should book your hotel through the PyCon US block. The blog post gives some of the reasons (chief among them is the PSF has to pay for the empty rooms!) but, IMO, the most important one is the conference spills out of the halls and talks and into the hotels every morning and evening. It's a great way to spend more time with your Pythonistas outside of the conference center.
And don't forget the cabo and game nights!
https://pycon.blogspot.com/2026/04/stories-from-pycon-us-hotels.html
I plan on going to #PyOhio this summer and I want to hear what you have to say! Submit a talk or 3 because I know you have something we all want to hear!
If you're not sure what folks reviewing talks proposals (or offers) look for, check out this post I did about what I was looking for when I reviewed the talk submissions for #PyConUS 2026!
https://brassnet.biz/blog/picking-talks-for-pycon-us.html
https://fosstodon.org/@pyohio/116364092591730045
@pythonbynight @lorenipsum My first #PyConUS I ended up hanging out a lot in the Attendee Lounge (part of the @ThePSF booth) and meeting some amazing people. The following year I signed up for a volunteer shift. By the end of that PyCon I was asked to join the organizing group. I get to hang out with some amazing people and make, what I think, is the most fun booth at the conference happen.
tl;dr volunteering is great!
I know why #PyConUS made the change but I miss being able to ait with random strangers for breakfast at the conference center. People act really weird when I do it at restaurants.
I plan on submitting at least one offer to PyOhio's CFP when it opens up. I'll take what I learned reviewing proposals for #PyConUS to help make mine better. You can too!
The reason to go to #PyConUS is the people. Yes the talks are amazing. Yes the booths are fun. But the magic is the people.
You find the people around the hall.
You find the people in the open spaces.
You find the people in the hotels.
The best way to find the people in the hotels is to stay at the conference hotels. The best way to stay at the conference hotels is to book through the conference.
If you're coming to PyCon US, please book a hotel through the dashboard.
https://us.pycon.org/2026/accounts/dashboard/