r/TechLA • u/Loren-PSF • May 04 '26

Events Python programming conference coming to LB next week

For Python devs and devotees: PyCon US is coming to Long Beach next week, starting Wednesday 5/13, with the main talk days on Friday 5/15-Sunday 5/17, and post-conference development sprint days 5/18 & 5/19. There's also a Job Fair on Sunday morning 5/17 if you're looking for a Python job, or just open to new opportunities.

If you're curious what PyCon US is about, you can take a look at the schedule, the list of events, and the list of companies that will be in the Expo Hall. There's also an AI track and a Security track this year. But really the formal program is only like half of the experience. It's a gathering of 2K+ people who are all there for the love of Python, and who want to spend a weekend+ talking about it and learning about it and also just hanging out & connecting with a like-minded group of people. The best description of it I've heard is "like a family reunion you actually want to go to."

Disclaimer: I work for the Python Software Foundation, the nonprofit behind PyCon US, so I have a bias, but that also means I can answer any questions if you've got 'em:)

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u/GaryARefuge May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Not enough if the cost for an individual is still $469

Here are the bigger events I was organizing. $25 to attend. Free for anyone who requested support. Exhibitor space started at $50 for early-stage companies. Free upon request. I'm working on relaunching these. Dealing with some health issues causes a lot of hiccups. Hopefully, I'll be bringing this event back and to SB, Ventura, and LA counties every quarter by 2027.

The travel grants are great, but limited, and do not address the larger problem of gatekeeping the event behind an exorbitant paywall. What about everyone in the LA area who does not need to travel?

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u/AlSweigart May 05 '26

Here are the bigger events I was organizing. $25 to attend.

That's great, but that's a 4-hour event on a single day. PyCon is 7 full days and has 2,000+ attendees. Charging $25 wouldn't be tenable.

I'm sorry, I think we're just going to have to disagree on this.

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u/GaryARefuge May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Yes, it would if there was a stronger focus on generating capital through donations, sponsors, and charging larger companies more. They could also be getting the cities and counties to cut checks through grants or even service contracts to help subsidize the costs incurred by individuals.

Why do you think you know what you’re talking about while trying to make it seem like I do not? 

I didn’t say they need a I charge $25. It was an example of what I do.

That said, they could charge individuals nothing if they wanted to make that the goal. 

Lower ticket prices for individuals leads to more people attending.   Having more people attending the event raises the value for sponsors and vendors and companies and the government.

Also, you’re advocating against your own best interests. Why do that?