It’s long overdue for an update on what PDXWIT has been up to lately, so let’s start with a recent one: DevOps Days Portland invited PDXWIT to have a table as a community sponsor for their two day event on September 9th and 10th at Portland State University, right in downtown Portland.
I was the one lucky enough to sit at that table, and as someone who works as a DevOps engineer as part of my day job, this was exactly the kind of event I look forward to. It’s not often that community outreach and personal professional interest line up this well.
Well Run, Start to Finish
The coordination behind DevOps Days Portland was excellent. As a sponsor, we were well taken care of from the moment we arrived. Setup was easy, the table location was solid, and the organizers clearly put real thought into making sure sponsors weren’t just an afterthought bolted onto the side of the event. It’s a small thing, but it makes a real difference in whether an organization wants to show up again next year, and PDXWIT absolutely does.
Sitting In on the Sessions
Having a table didn’t mean being stuck behind it the whole time. I got to sneak away from my table and into several technical sessions, mostly those on the main stage between conversations, which is one of my favorite parts of tabling at a conference like this.
There’s something valuable about getting to represent PDXWIT to the community while also getting to be a part of that community as an attendee, learning alongside everyone else.
Hanging Out with the Postgres Crew
One of the highlights for me personally was getting to spend time with the local PostgreSQL folks. The Portland Postgres community is always a fantastic group to be around, generous with what they know and just as happy to talk shop as they are to welcome someone new into the conversation.
If you haven’t crossed paths with Mark Wong or others from the Postgres community, keep an eye out. They’re a great group to know.
Why This Matters for PDXWIT
Showing up at events like DevOps Days Portland is part of how PDXWIT stays connected to the broader Portland tech community, not just the people who already know us, but the folks who are meeting us for the first time at a sponsor table between sessions. Every conversation at that table is a chance to point someone toward PDXWIT, whether they’re looking for community, mentorship, or just want to offer us their support.
Thanks to the DevOps Days organizers for the invitation and for running such a well put together event. We’re looking forward to being part of it again.
More updates on what PDXWIT has been doing coming soon. This was just the first one I was behind on.