Jason Gilmore: Codemash 2012 Wrap-Up
January 17th, 2012
By Terreece M. Clarke
Codemash. It's the largest conferences for developers in the Midwest. So popular that it completely sold out 1200 seats in less than 20 minutes. Not 20 slowed-down Matrix minutes - real world minutes. It's popularity is in large part due to its unusual premise.
Codemash means the mashing together of different technologies, Jason Gilmore, co-founder and board member said.
In case you missed the buzz, the pulsating Twitter stream and the event itself, Codemash 2012 was the biggest 'mash to date. Taking place in the newly-expanded Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, the event welcomed over 1300 attendees and is completely organized by volunteers.
"I'm not like other guys [conferences]..."No, I mean I'm Different" - Michael Jackson "Thriller"
Everyone says their conferences are different and special, but seriously? The 2012 event held last week from Wednesday to Friday was definitely special. Can you say bacon bar? Three hundred pounds of bacon at self-serve stations offered with a variety of dipping sauces and toppings. Heads up CIOs - word on the street is developers code better with bacon.
While most conferences concentrate on particular platforms or development languages, Codemash brings them all together. More than 100 different sessions covered a variety of topics and languages including .NET, Java, Ruby, Mobile Development, Software Process, WIndows 8, Design; for all levels of developer - beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Hot on the Developer Scene
The Codemash session selection panel tries to select both mainstream and eclectic sessions for the conference, Gilmore said. Out of the 100+ sessions the more popular sessions had to deal with mobile development - Android and iOS.
Other hot sessions were Scott Hanselman's "What the heck are they doing over there? Inside the Microsoft Web Stack of Love" for the .NET platform and the surprising popularity of Josh Smith's session on Prolog.
For conference attendee Brady Gaster, getting ideas on using Node.js in Windows Azure from Glen Block and Dennis Burton was a big takeaway from the event.
The mashing together of self-contractors, college students, companies who bring staff members and other IT pros to learn from one another is what Codemash is all about, Gilmore said.
"It's easy to get lost in the daily grind, " Gilmore said. "We encourage everyone to attend a session with a subject they are not familiar with. I have had people tell me they go back [to work] with new ideas and energized."
Another reason why Codemash is so popular is its Midwest location.
The conference came about as a result of a discussion from a few code developers, who spent a lot of time traveling to developer conferences on the coasts, Jason Gilmore, co-founder and board member said. "We thought it would be interesting to bring divers groups together and learn from one another."
Gilmore described Codemash as quirky - that's a good word for a conference that takes place in the largest indoor waterpark in the country and combines different technology sessions with "Codemash After Dark" informal sessions to teach something that is not usually tech related. This year even included lock-picking lessons.
All in the Family
Talking code at a waterpark is a family affair. The Kalahari Resort location makes it easy for developers to bring their families along to get away for a few days and maybe get into code. Kidzmash for years has offered sessions specially designed for kids. This year included Lego Robots, Android Programming, Learning to Program using Scratch, movie nights, a dance party and more. The opportunity to combine family, fun, a few hundred pounds of bacon and a chance to learn the latest in the developer world is why Codemash will continue to be a big draw.
When asked about the 2013 event, Gilmore had a few bits of info including the news that submissions for session proposals will be accepted earlier to give the group more time to review them.
"We are going to take a moments to relax before things [planning] gets started again," he said. "But there will definitely be a Codemash 2013!"
While Codemash 2012 is a memory there is still time to pick the founders' brains about it and the future of developers. This week in IT Martini on LinkedIn, group founders Jason Gilmore, Jim Holmes and Brian Prince are ready to answer your questions.
Terreece M. Clarke
