TL;DR
Finally making the trip to ng-conf and stepping foot in the US for the first time — it feels like a dream come true.
The full story
ng-conf has a rich legacy, and attending it in person has always been a goal of mine. I used to tune into the live stream every year, but being physically present is an entirely different level of experience.
Back in early 2020, I took the plunge and grabbed an early bird ticket. I was completely thrilled — then the pandemic hit, and every in-person gathering had to be shelved.
That's how ng-conf 2020 ended up going fully online. The same happened in 2021.
Now, after two years of patient waiting, I'm finally heading to ng-conf myself!
I can't wait to pack in as many sessions as my schedule allows. The list of announced speakers is outstanding — Jeff Cross, Shai Reznik, John Papa, Stephen Fluin, Brandon Roberts, Alex Rickabaugh and many others.
I've known or followed a lot of Angular community members online for years. Some of them have even appeared as guests on the Angular Rocks podcast, and this feels like a perfect chance to meet them face-to-face and go deep on professional topics directly.
On my radar: Misko Hevery, Jeremy Elbourn, Minko Gechev, Justin Schwartzenberger, and Alan Agius.
Since this is also my maiden voyage to the USA, I've mapped out several iconic stops along the way to ng-conf — places I've long dreamed of seeing.
My first landing spot is San Francisco, the center of Silicon Valley. Just think — I'll be walking into Google's headquarters to meet my Angular colleagues there. If anyone else wants to connect in person, I'm all ears.
Of course, I'll also make time for the Golden Gate Bridge and Stanford University, just to soak in the atmosphere of one of the world's densest hubs of high-tech education.
Next on the itinerary is Los Angeles, though I haven't set a fixed plan for it yet. So, anyone up for a meetup or a chat there? What should I absolutely not miss — Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, or something else entirely?
It would also be great to find a local tech or business meetup to drop by.
Las Vegas is another city full of possibilities for me this time. As the host of Angular Rocks and an avid amateur climber, seeing the Grand Canyon is non-negotiable. And what about Red Rocks Canyon or any other rock formations worth exploring?
Please advise.
Do you know of any IT events happening around SF or LA during my visit?
Drop your suggestions in the comments — I'd be truly grateful for any tips!
Also, to make this trip memorable for both me and you, I'm planning a photo challenge for my Angular Rocks Instagram community at @angularrocks.
Each day, I'll snap a picture of something that reminds me of Angular Rocks and post it in my stories. You can throw in your own ideas for what that could be.
The winners will get some awesome Angular Rocks swag as a reward!
So, I'm really looking forward to your comments and suggestions — and don't forget to follow @angularrocks. See you soon!