The Open Source World Is About to Get a Surprise 👀

Justin E. Samuels — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:47:27 +0000

Something Big Is Coming to RenderATL This Summer 👀

Every October, Hacktoberfest reminds us of the power of open source. It’s a celebration of collaboration, contribution, and the global community that makes technology possible.

This year, we’re starting Hacktober with something special. At RenderATL, we’ve always believed in honoring the culture-shifters, the builders, and the people who make tech what it is. And now… we’re getting ready to take that belief to the next level.

✨ A new project is coming.
✨ A major announcement is dropping.
✨ And it’s going to change the way we celebrate open source.

But here’s the thing: we’re not revealing it all just yet.

Instead, we’re inviting you to join us live for a special stream, where some incredible voices from the open source world will join me. Together, we’ll pull back the curtain and share what’s next.

📅 When: October 6, 2025 | 9 AM ET
📍 Where: Click Here

This summer at RenderATL, something groundbreaking is on the horizon. And you’ll want to say you were there when it first dropped.

🔗 Join the livestream and be the first to know.

💡 Hint: if you love open source, you’re about to see it celebrated like never before.

RenderATL is Back on Dev.to – And We’re Bringing Big News!

Justin E. Samuels — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:37:01 +0000

RenderATL 2025 is where brands meet, deals get made, and the future of tech is built—$30M+ in economic impact proves it.

It’s great to be back on Dev.to! It’s been a minute, but trust me, we’ve been busy. Since we first dropped our RenderATL recap here in 2021, we’ve been building, growing, and shaping the Render community into something bigger and better every year, from 350 to 7k+ attendees in 4 short years! As we gear up for the 2025 conference, I couldn’t think of a better place to reconnect with all of you and share what’s new. This platform has been instrumental in helping us connect with developers and tech professionals from around the world, and we’re excited to re-engage with this amazing community as we prepare for RenderATL 2025 presented by our friends at Zillow.

If you’re new here, welcome! If you’ve been rocking with us for a while, you already know how we do—so let’s dive in.

What is RenderATL?

RenderATL isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement. We’ve taken everything you love about tech conferences and flipped the script to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

It’s where culture meets code, where you can dive deep into tech while also enjoying a festival-like atmosphere full of networking, entertainment, and (of course) some of the best food and vibes in the game. We bring together 7,000+ developers, engineers, tech leaders, and creatives from all over to learn, connect, and build the future.

We’re not just here to talk about tech—we’re here to redefine how we experience it. And in 2025, we’re taking things to the next level with over 100+ speakers, 3 days of tech and culture, and exclusive networking opportunities with top industry leaders.

What’s New in 2025?

At Render, one of our internal mottos is “Surprises > Expectations.” We always meet the high bar our community sets—but we love to throw in some unexpected magic along the way. While we can’t reveal everything just yet, here are some game-changing updates based on your feedback from 2024:

1. A Native Mobile App for Seamless Scheduling & Event Registration

We heard you—keeping up with RenderATL + Atlanta Tech Week was a challenge with so many events happening. That’s why we built a native mobile app (yes, natively developed for iOS and Android—hides from Kotlin & React Native devs). With it, you can:
✅ Customize your schedule
✅ Register for both RenderATL and 150+ community-driven events at Atlanta Tech Week
✅ Stay on top of everything happening at the conference

2. THIS or THAT Talks: Let the Debates Begin

Tech panels can be great—but let’s be real, sometimes they’re just a bunch of people nodding in agreement. Boring.

This year, we’re shaking things up with THIS or THAT Talks—a new stage where tech pros with opposing views go head-to-head. Imagine:
🔥 React vs. Vue
🔥 TypeScript vs. JavaScript
🔥 Middle management vs. No managers
🔥 Tests vs. No tests

It’s all about bringing the energy, tackling real debates, and pushing the community forward. Expect lively discussions, strong opinions, and maybe a little bit of chaos (controlled, of course).

3. More Shade, More Comfort, More Refreshments

The food truck park? Absolute vibes. But we heard you—more shade and more drinks were needed.

This year, we’re partnering with Coke to build covered lounges with plush seating, plenty of refreshments, and chill zones so you can network comfortably. And yes, we’re fixing the water and coffee situation—we hear you! (Starbucks, Dunkin’, hit us up!)

4. VIP & Executive Talks – New Perks, New Stage

We’ve revamped our VIP experience for 2025:
✅ Priority Entry – Get into the conference, workshops, and the rooftop takeover at Ponce City Market earlier than general attendees.
✅ No VIP Lounge – Instead, we’ve lowered VIP ticket prices (starting at $800 on 3/11).
✅ Exclusive Executive Track – In partnership with Intuit, we’re launching an Executive Stage for C-suite and tech leadership talks. Access is for Render partners & approved executive applicants only—reach out to our partnership team if you want in as a company or apply as an attendee for our executive summit access; no additional purchase is necessary as an attendee if you're selected to attend.

5. A.I. Summit & Netlify Mini Conference

Introducing Conference as a Service (CaaS)—where we make Render the meeting place for tech ecosystems to connect and grow.

🚀 Netlify Mini Conference – A dedicated space on the expo floor featuring Netlify’s CEO, CTO, and partners.
🤖 A.I. Summit (6/11) – A full day of AI workshops, talks, demos, and networking as part of Atlanta Tech Week.

6. Free Tickets for Veterans & Those Impacted by Federal Layoffs

We’re committed to giving back. That’s why we’re providing complimentary tickets for veterans, active duty, reserve members, and those impacted by recent federal tech layoffs.

One of our past attendees, a veteran transitioning into the tech industry, shared how RenderATL helped them land a new role through connections made at the conference. Stories like these fuel our mission to make sure every attendee finds the opportunities they need to thrive.

We want to connect you with our hiring partners and the broader tech community so you can expand your network, explore new opportunities, and take your career to the next level. Apply at RenderATL.com/service.

7. Creating a More Inclusive & Engaging Atmosphere

At RenderATL, we believe in creating a welcoming environment where talent feels welcomed. That’s why, in 2025, we’re making the decision not to include alcohol inside the conference venue. We want everyone—regardless of background, beliefs, or personal choices—to feel comfortable and included. Here’s why this matters:

✅ Better networking opportunities – Removing alcohol fosters more meaningful, professional interactions without social pressure.
✅ A more inclusive environment – Ensures that attendees of all backgrounds, including those who abstain from alcohol, feel fully part of the experience.
✅ Increased focus on learning and growth – Keeps the emphasis on engaging discussions, technical innovation, and career-building opportunities.
✅ No more ‘I swear I was networking’ excuses when your boss asks why you’re holding a cocktail at 2 PM.

Why You Should Attend or Sponsor

RenderATL 2025 is more than just another tech conference—it’s where brands meet brands, deals are made, and economic impact happens. Since our inception, Render has helped generate over $30M in brand deals and economic impact, proving that this isn’t just an event—it’s a powerhouse for business growth and collaboration.

✨ Hiring & Recruiting Opportunities – Sponsors gain direct access to top talent, and attendees can connect with companies actively hiring.
✨ Brand Visibility – Companies that partner with RenderATL position themselves as industry leaders in front of thousands of engaged attendees.
✨ Exclusive Networking – From VIP experiences to curated partner events, sponsorship unlocks high-value networking opportunities that turn into real business impact.

RenderATL 2025 is more than just another tech conference—it’s where connections happen, careers accelerate, and brands get in front of the tech audience.

That was a LOT—but we’re just getting started. The energy, the tech, the culture—RenderATL 2025 is shaping up to be the most impactful yet.

If you haven’t already secured your ticket or partnership, now’s the time. Join us and 7,000+ attendees in Atlanta this summer for an experience unlike any other.

🚀 Get your tickets
🔗 Become a sponsor

We’ll see you in ATL.

DEV Community: RenderATL