Frequently Asked Questions
Conference Format & Experience
Can I watch QCon videos with closed captioning or subtitles?
Closed captioning can be enabled in Google Chrome and will work for the recorded sessions. Here is how to enable automatic closed captioning. The QCon video played does not come with its own closed captioning or subtitles.
Will presentations be available on-demand?
QCon San Francisco attendees will get access to a majority of keynote and presentation recordings. Video recordings will be available within around two weeks and will remain available for 6 months. Talks can be accessed via the QCon San Francisco site. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox to watch session recordings as we frequently observe technical difficulties with Safari.
Will attendees get access to the presentation slides?
We are encouraging speakers to share their presentation slides to be able to make them available to QCon San Francisco attendees. If the speaker agreed to share their slides, they will be made available in the schedule and on the presentation page within days.
What is a track?
There are 12 primary themes at QCon. Each of the major themes is organized into what we call tracks. A track represents five curated talks, and most tracks also include an unconference session.
All of the sessions are led by domain experts who guide the selection process. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 12 editorial tracks at QCon. You will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
Which rewards does the QCon alumni program include?
You will automatically qualify as a QCon alumni when you have registered to attend any 2 or more QCon events (in-person or online).
If you attend QCon frequently, you will move up the QCon alumni tiers, unlocking more benefits.
You can read more about the alumni program and rewards on the QCon alumni page.
What does QCon do to support diversity and inclusion?
At QCon, we want to foster an environment that is both diverse and inclusive. The ideas and thoughts generated within a diverse group tend to be more innovative and thought-provoking. This atmosphere characterizes the very essence of QCon. Some of the things we are doing at QCon San Francisco to make the environment more inclusive include:
- Enforced Code of Conduct
- Deconstructed menus (to cater to allergies or food preferences)
- Access to all-gender restrooms
- Prayer room
- Women and Allies in Tech events
- Lactation Room
- Quiet Area
- Assistance and Guide Dogs are welcome
- Wheelchair accessible
If there is something that would make you feel more welcome, you feel we’re missing at the conference, or would like more information on, please let us know at info [at] qconsf.com (info[at]qconsf[dot]com) .
What is the QCon code of conduct?
We designed QCon as a place where everyone feels safe to express themselves, learn, and succeed in adopting new technology and practices. We enforce this through the QCon Code of Conduct to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for our thousands of inspiring attendees.
By joining QCon, you agree to our Code of Conduct. All QCon participants, speakers, sponsors, and staff are required to abide by our code of conduct.
Is there a call for papers?
We do not have a formal CFP and usually directly invite our speakers, however, we do have a submission form for spontaneous submissions.
What are trainings?
Our hands-on trainings are a great way to upskill on the topics that matter most in software development with domain experts.
Training days are being held at the same venue as the conference on Thursday, November 21st and Friday, November 22nd.
You can register your training pass today and pick up your specific trainings later. The full training program will be published by mid-September. In case you change your mind or don't think the offered trainings are a good fit, QCon's Training Refund Guarantee Policy offers a no-questions-asked refund up to and including Monday, September 23, 2024.
If you’d like a certification for the training you attended, please email info [at] qconsf.com (info[at]qconsf[dot]com) and we will send you one.
At the conference
How can I give feedback on presentations I attend?
Please rate the presentations that you attend. Your feedback helps us improve our content and organization.
In-person attendees will be able to vote using the QCon mobile app. Attendees can also vote on the QCon website when logged into your QCon San Francisco account. You have the choice of selecting:
- red: failed to meet any of my expectations
- yellow: lacked fundamental expectations
- green: met or exceeded expectations
You can then edit your vote and/or provide additional feedback on your voting trail.
What is the event hashtag?
Tag us using the #QConSF, #QCon and #QConCares
Find us here:
On X, you can find us @QConSF
On LinkedIn, you can find us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/qcon-conferences/
On Facebook, you can find us at https://www.facebook.com/QCon
On Instagram, you can find us at https://www.instagram.com/qconconferences/
On Tik Tok, you can find us at https://www.tiktok.com/@qconferences
Misc
Does QCon offer scholarships or free tickets?
We are committed to creating accessible products for software developers from different backgrounds and to representing the present diverse software community more.
QCon offers free tickets for senior developers from underrepresented communities in tech. A scholarship application form will become available on this website 3 months prior to the conference.
Is there a volunteer program at QCon San Francisco?
QCon San Francisco offers a volunteer program for students and young professionals who want to experience an international software development conference in exchange for volunteering and assisting with the tracks during the event.
As a volunteer at QCon, you will get a chance to hear and learn from experts in the field and get access to the conference for free in exchange for volunteer work.
The application form for the volunteer program will become available at the beginning of 2024.
About QCon
What is a QCon software development conference?
QCon is an international software development conference for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
QCon focuses on emerging software trends and innovations in software development and technical leadership with all talks by software domain experts. Our Programming Committee identifies the key trends and creates a curated learning journey by selecting leading software practitioners to deep-dive on each topic.
Sessions are composed of keynotes from world-class practitioners, tech talks with leading authorities, Q&As, and an opportunity to engage with peers to help answer your questions. You’ll gain actionable ideas that you can take back to your team and implement right away.
Why is QCon a conference for practitioners by practitioners?
At QCon, we prefer Engineers over Evangelists, Practitioners over Trainers/Coaches, and Team Leads over Consultants. That is not to say we don't find value on the people on the right, we just prefer those on the left. This simple mantra guides our editorial content. We want to hear from the people who are living with decisions and implementations. This is core to what makes QCon QCon.
Who is QCon for?
QCon is designed for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
What do you mean by "no hidden marketing"?
Outside of the main 12 tracks, QCon will offer additional sponsored tracks. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 12 editorial tracks at QCon. One of the core tenants of QCon is transparency, you will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
Who is behind QCon?
QCon is presented by InfoQ. We’ve been helping software development teams adopt new technologies and practices for over 17 years. The driving force behind every QCon conference is our passion to accelerate the software side of human progress.
Senior software developers rely on QCon and InfoQ to keep ahead of the adoption curve. One of the main reasons senior software engineers, software architects, and team leads tell us they keep coming back to QCon and InfoQ is because they trust the information provided and selected by their peers. Join a global professional engineering community and adopt the right software innovations and practices.