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Discussion on: How to find CFPs for developer conferences

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jankapunkt profile image
Jan Küster 🔥

Thanks a lot. How high are rejection rates? I never submitted although we invent a lot because I know the procedure from science conferences. It is so exhausting to invest so much just for being rejected.

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missamarakay profile image
Amara Graham

I think science and academic conferences have a much higher rejection rate in general. I think industry conferences have a much lighter touch for submitting proposals, although they are some like Grace Hopper Conference that have a much more involved process. Never hurts to look at what each conference is looking for in their proposal process!

Your personal rejection rate comes down to what conferences you apply to and what kind of content you are presenting. Some conferences have themes and the closer you try to pitch your content to the theme the higher your chance of getting accepted. But there are so many other factors too. Because of this I tend to not count a rate or ratio, but I'm very careful where I invest my time submitting. Would I go to the conference whether I'm accepted or not? Do I think its worth my time to submit the proposal?

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philnash profile image
Phil Nash

Rejection rates vary by conference and their relative popularity (I believe JSConf Hawai'i had over 1000 proposals, because who wouldn't want a trip to Hawai'i?).

On the other hand it's my understanding that academic conferences require you to have written a full paper that you wish to present beforehand. Industry conferences have nothing like this sort of up front investment. Most of the time you can propose talks about work you have done, or even plan to do, and there's no need to write anything up beyond the proposal until you are accepted.

If you feel you have something to share with the community, I encourage you to give it a go!