So you missed PyCon US...

If you're anything like me you've watched another PyCon US come and go. Living in New Zealand makes attending overseas conferences an expensive proposition. So you've missed the conference. You've watched all the talks on pyvideo.org, but it's still not enough. You'd love to attend a PyCon in person, perhaps one in an exotic location (what a great opportunity for a family vacation). Of course, I have a solution: Come to Kiwi PyCon!

In contrast to the US PyCon, Kiwi PyCon is a smaller, more intimate affair, with a few hundred delegates, two streams, and plenty of chances to meet other python hackers from the Australia/New Zealand/Pacific region. Places are limited, and registrations are open, so here's what you need to do to beat the post-PyCon blues:

1. Go to nz.pycon.org, and register for the conference. While you're there, check out the sponsorship options!
2. If you're feeling brave, submit a talk proposal!
3. Book accommodation and flights (we will soon have accommodation options listed on the website).
4. Count down the days to the conference!

It's that simple. Do it now!

Kiwi PyCon Sponsorship Drive

 Kiwi PyCon is approaching! You probably think that's a good thing, but if you're one of the poor volunteer organisers, that's a scary thought. Why? We have bills to pay, and very little income. That means it's time to shill for some cash! Below is an excerpt from our public sponsorship announcement email. If your company is willing to sponsor a good cause, please get in touch with me.

Kiwi PyCon is organised by the New Zealand Python User group - a not-for-profit organisation. We don’t make any profit from the conference, and the organisers donate their free time to make the event a success. We rely entirely on companies’ sponsorship to pay the bills.

Sponsorship has several advantages for you:

• It’s an opportunity to get brand exposure in front of the foremost Python experts from New Zealand and around the world.

• Presents a fantastic networking opportunity if you are looking to employ engineers now, or in the future.

• Align yourself with market leaders and past sponsors such as Github, Weta Digital, Catalyst IT, Mozilla. Become known as a Python promoter and industry leader. 

• Gold sponsors receive five complimentary tickets to the conference and their logo on the conference shirt and all print materials.

If you’d like to sponsor the conference, a document describing sponsorship opportunities is available here.

To get in touch, email kiwipycon-sponsorship@nzpug.org.

KiwiPyCon Sloecode Talk

It's about time I posted my Kiwi PyCon talk from last August! I spent an enjoyable 30 minutes talking about what Sloecode is, how we built it, and the problems encountered along the way. As per my usual approach to public speaking, I tried to keep things light-hearted and entertaining. Anyway, the slides and audio are available here:

Introducing Sloecode: a python-powered, installable code-forge.

View another webinar from ThomiRichards

KiwiPyCon 2012 will be in Dunedin

It is a great honour and privilege to be involved in bringing the New Zealand Python developers conference (KiwiPyCon) to Dunedin in 2012. I intend to blog regularly with details of next year's conference as they emerge, so watch this space for more information over time!

Finally, a huge "Thank You" to Tim McNamara for organising the best KiwiPyCon to date. I have a huge task ahead of me, and he's raised the bar very high indeed.

Have any good ideas for next year? Please let us know!