2012: worst CO2 footprint ever
So far I have travelled about 32,000 kilometers in 2012 according to TripIt. Before the year is over I will have travelled over 70,000 kilometers by plane alone (way more if you take into account detours and connections). Dear earth, I'm sorry for the carbon dioxide.
But, it's all for a good cause. Not on the grand scheme of things, but for me at least. I just love going to conferences! Sometimes I learn a thing or two, but to me it's more about meeting people and sparking new flames which leads me to create cool stuff. Right now the grand total for 2012 is expected to be 13 conferences, speaking at 10 and attending at 3. Here's what's to come:
BubbleConf (October 12 — Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
I'm very much looking forward to attending this one. It's probably less tech than I'm used to and more business. Or at least a healthy mix of the two. Since 80beans is becoming more active in the startup space I'm keen on meeting and listening to likeminded people. The speaker list is impressive! I have urged our local clients to go here and think you should consider doing so too (and it's at an awesome venue).
Inspire (December 9-12 — Leiden, The Netherlands)
A Dutch conference about craftsmanship not taking place in Amsterdam for a change. Leiden, where the Pilgrim Fathers lived for 11 years before setting sail for the United States, should make for a great historic and small scale location. There are some sweet side-events planned and there's a "new faces" track for aspiring speakers, so I'm looking forward to attending this one.
Madison Ruby (August 23-25 — Madison, WI, United States)
I've heard great things about Madison Ruby and am very much looking forward to speaking here. The atmosphere and side-events are said to be awesome. The organizers already received the Google Nexus 7 tablet I ordered, which I'm looking forward to taking home to the open mobile device test lab at 80beans.
Rocky Mountain Ruby (September 19-21 — Boulder, CO, United States)
I'll speak at RMR and possible give a charity workshop too. Add a 1909 hotel, great outdoors and a ton of local microbreweries. Going to be great!
RubyShift (September 29-30 — Kiev, Ukraine)
I had fun at Wroc_love.rb (Poland) earlier this year and am sure it will be great fun to head back east again. Great fellow speakers, meeting some old friends and vodka (Diet Coke for me please). What could possibly go wrong?
ArrrrCamp (October 4-5 — Ghent, Belgium)
ArrrrCamp was the first conference I ever spoke at, which was only 10 months ago, so it has my love. Lots of speakers I'll be meeting for the second, third or even forth time this year (it genuinely is a small world)! Mix that with pirates, mojito's and an historic city. Fun times!
Future of Web Apps (October 15-17 — London, United Kingdom)
Future of Web Apps in London was the first conference I ever attended in October of 2007. Flash forward five years and there I am. The sweet memories make speaking here something special.
Future of Web Apps (November 27-29 — Prague, Czech Republic)
No details yet, but should be a fun conference in a city I've heard many great things about.
Yes, 2012 is treating me with tons of awesome!