Interview with the client adviser: "Networking is the most important thing on Drupal Camps"

My AGILEDROP team had one promise to fulfil. It was related to our client adviser Ales Kohek. It was promised that we still need to share with you his experiences from his first ever Drupal Camp, DrupalCamp Antwerp. Here are his thoughts.

Ales, what are the first impressions, coming from DrupalCamp Antwerp?

Positive, very positive. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect, but after a couple of days hanging around with people from Drupal community, I felt welcomed. Some of the things were quite new to me, so I needed some assistance at further explaining me that. I have to commend other attendees for being patient and helping me out.

How would you assess the general atmosphere at the event?

Very positive and very open. Belgium has a quite big Drupal community, Netherlands is close, so it was quite a local event when we take into account the attendees. But as in any community, we all had the pleasure to listen also to speakers from Australia, UK, Slovenia ... The atmosphere itself was a bit laidback, but nevertheless, the schedule and the challenges we met in Antwerp were addressed with necessary seriousness.

Have you been to any sessions, which made a clear impression on you?

Yes, I have been to a couple of them. They were all memorable in one way or another. Pointing out just one is impossible, they were all covering different subject matters and thus offering new and unique insights.

What do you think is the most important on such events?

The most important thing would be the networking. Getting to know new people, talk to them, share ideas, challenges ... And at the same time to say hello to old acquaintances, colleagues, friends ... And not to forget the mission of keeping the Drupal community as vibrant and alive as possible.

Have you noticed any shortcomings?

Actually, it would be premature to give any critique, especially negative one. Not that there was something negative. I believe I would have to go to a couple of more events like that to be able to say that something could be done better or different.

Besides sessions, did you attend any social event as well?

Yes, I always like to go to social events to see the other side of the people, the “not-so-business side”. As I said before, the atmosphere was quite laidback, so the social event offered the opportunity to talk about things outside Drupal. Whether sports, politics, food, even weather ...

Do you think that such events are a necessity for people to improve on their career path?

Definitely. If you have the opportunity to go, do it. Go, talk to your colleagues, listen to sessions and ask questions. Events like that are very useful.