What opportunities are there to speak at a Web Directions conference?

We're glad you asked! In 2023, we're hosting four major in-person events–in Sydney in August (AI) and late October (Leaders and Summit) and Melbourne in June (Code). Read on for more and to propose!

Summit

Web Directions Summit covers the whole front end team–product management, design design, front end engineering, react, content design, design systems, and product and growth marketing across 7 tracks.

CFPs for Summit are open now and close May 31st 2023

AI

Returning after a hiatus, Web Directions AI focuses on the technologies, opportunities and impact of generative AI. Share your insights on the impact these technologies are having on business, creativity and the workplace.

We're looking for insights across business, design and technology.

AI takes place in August in Sydney, and CFPs close May 31st

Code

Web Directions Code is all in on front end engineering (and more)–front of the front end (CSS/HTML/JS/Browser APIs), back of the front end (frameworks like React, Remix, Next, CI/CD, operations), platform engineering, security, performance, and much more across multiple tracks

CFPs for Code are open now and close March 10th 2023

Code Leaders

Code Leaders is a one day conference for engineering leaders and managers. It focusses mostly on the non-technical aspects of these roles.

CFPs for Code Leaders are open now and close May 31st 2023

How do I get to speak at a Web Directions Conference?

This is a little long winded and in depth, but understanding what we look for will really help you propose a topic that's likely to work for our programs. A look at past conference programs will likely help you get a sense of what we look for too.

Our philosophy

At Web Directions we have a strong editorial style we've developed over more than 15 years of putting together conferences. The type of sessions that prove popular, and so which we program, tend to have a number of characteristics:

• They're often about "unknown unknowns"–introducing or explaining to the audience concepts, practices or technologies they may not be aware of, or maybe only vaguely aware of, that would be useful to them in their work, today, or in the near future.
• They're focussed–don't think breadth, think focus and depth.
• They're 'explainers'–they succinctly help the audience understand what something is, what it's for, and how they can get value from it.
• They're Forward looking (but not far future). It's right there in our name "directions"–we want to help our audience chart where they are going, but we don't want to lead them down dead ends, or show them things that might only one day become useful. Each year we tend to get a lot of similar proposals for something that's the topic everyone is talking about right now–and would have been the ideal proposal last year or the year before.

One of the things we love hearing from our audience is "I can't wait to get back to work and put this into practice". If you can aim for that, for the event's target audience, you'll go a long way to getting a place in the schedule.

Here's a few more tips what we recommend to give yourself the best chance of getting a place at our conferences.

• Sessions are typically of 30 minutes duration.
• If we see proposals we really like, we start pencilling them in before the closing date. So it pays to not wait until last minute.
• We're also happy for multiple proposals from the same person.
• Past presentations give a good indication of the sort of thing we're looking for as well.
• Focus is good! Rather than proposing for example "what's new in Javascript" think about a deep dive on one aspect of what's new in JavaScript (for example "Crunchy or smooth? All about JavaScript's Spread Operator"). What's something you think is indispensable but not as many people know about and use as you think should? There's a great topic right there!

OK, I'm keen! Where do I propose?

You'll find a form for proposing for our 2023 conferences below. You propose, we'll work out where the best fit is.

What Do Speakers Get?

We provide travel and accomodation for speakers at our in-person conferences, plus speaker dinners, receptions and an all round great experience for speakers.

And it doesn't stop with the conference, we host your presentation on our new video platform Conffab, where speakers are compensated for the engagement their presentations generate!

Good luck, we can't wait to hear your proposals!

Questions?

Happy to discuss your proposal and thoughts–just email us [email protected].

Praise for past Web Directions events

Web Directions is the must-attend event of the year for anyone serious about web development.

Phil Whitehouse,
Innovation Lead DigitasLBi

I’ve been admiring the Web Directions events for years, and was honored to be part… What a fantastic event!

Ethan Marcotte,
inventor "responsive Web design"

Out of any conference, Web Directions is far and away our favourite

Dave Greiner,
founder Campaign Monitor

Code of Conduct

For over a decade, we've worked hard to create inclusive, fun, inspring and safe events for the Web Industry.

As part of our commitment to these values, we've adopted a code of conduct for all involved: ourselves, our speakers, our partners and our audience.