Planting seeds at RenderATL (🍑)
A Year in the Making: From First-Timer to Familiar Face
Last year, RenderATL was my first ever conference, and it was a game-changer. Thanks to a ticket from my friend Taylor Dessyn, I found myself immersed in a community that would shape my future in tech. Fast forward to this year, and the seeds planted back then have blossomed into friendships and connections that made this year's experience even more special.
RenderATL: More Than Just a Conference
Render isn't your typical tech conference. It's a space where anything goes. It's fluid. It's dynamic. From dancing to deep discussions; from suits to slides. Technical Showcases neighbor Mario-Kart competitions and hoop-machines. Render is shaped by the choices you make, because you definitely can't do it all. I arrived a day early for badge pickup and ended up meeting some new friends: Kelly, Jason, and some old: Taylor, Steven and later Tessa from the amazing Appwrite team. We shared tacos, laughs, and even a private rooftop event. Last year I showed up alone, this year I had a warm community to welcome me from beginning.
Day One: Workshops and Wisdom
My first day kicked off with Adam Rackis' Typescript workshop. A four hour deep dive into the finer points of Typescript, from generics to the more complex conditional typing and beyond. After I got lunch with a stellar crew of folks (the majority of which I met at my second ever conference: THAT Conference. Later I was invited to an after-party with some friends from Clerk, where I reconnected with a friend from my 100Devs cohort. Last year we were both looking for a job at Render, now she works at Clerk.
Something profound was happening. A year ago I knew no one. Now I was being ushered into closed doors. Sitting beside people I admire and respect. Benign greetings and handshakes had grown into conversations where I'm drinking in every word. The seeds I had planted, the people I had met, have morphed into a fine wine.
Day Two: Inspiration and Innovation
Charlie Gerard's talk on hacking a car with JavaScript was a standout. It wasn't just about the technical feat but the message behind it: the importance of curiosity and patience in tackling unique challenges. Charlie's approach to exploring the uncharted territories of tech was a template for pushing boundaries and growing beyond labels like 'junior' or 'senior' developer.
Day Three: Powerful Messages and Personal Growth
Leon Noel's talk hit hard, addressing the erosion of diverse pathways into tech. It was a call to action, a sermon that resonated with the audience's shared frustration. Afterwards, Leon gave a group of former and current 100Dev members some time to mingle and chat. Yet another surreal moment. A closing of the loop. Another seed planted that bore fruit.
The man that taught me, and many others, how to code was locking hands with me. Would I be here if I wasn't at Render last year? What if I didn't stick with learning how to code? The day continued with sponsor booths, where I applied lessons learned last year to make meaningful connections, not just for potential opportunities but for genuine human interaction.
In Conclusion: The Essence of RenderATL
RenderATL is a paradox. The culture is manifested both from the top-down, and from bottom-up. The vision Justin's team has is just as important as the energy each and every attendee brings to the venue. It's a conference that is truly what you make of it. It's a celebration of tech, education, and community, where students and professionals from all walks of life come together. Render is a party, a seminar, a concert, and a community all rolled into one. It's a place where you can be yourself and find your path, whatever that may be. A place where small seeds grow in beautiful and unexpected ways.