Attendee Guide¶
The Attendee Guide provides conference information and gives strategies and tips for all attendees (new and experienced) to get plugged in and connect with others! We’ve gathered info here that will help you navigate the conference like a pro and make you feel more at home.
Where Can I Ask a Question?¶
Go to our Registration table! There will always be a member of our Welcome Wagon Team stationed here and available during all conference hours.
Whether you have a question about the schedule, where to eat, or how to connect with other attendees, they are your go-to for conference questions. If they don’t know the answer, they’ll find someone who does!
Welcome Wagon Tours¶
Join us for an introduction to Write the Docs. We’ll go on a short tour of the venue and review information about the conference. While tours are designed to give first-time attendees all the information they need to feel comfortable at the conference, returning attendees often find them helpful as well. This gives everyone a chance to meet someone new. Bring any questions you may have!
Welcome Wagon Tours are scheduled for:
Sunday - meet on the 1st floor at Registration by Martha’s Cafe
Before lunch
After lunch
Before the Welcome Reception
Monday - meet on the 2nd floor at the Registration table
Morning
*Exact times to come
Conference Layout¶
View our Venue page for details and the layout of spaces during the conference.
We will provide a venue map in April.
Food and Drinks¶
Snacks, coffee, tea, and water are included with your ticket. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options will be offered.
Bring a water bottle as there are refill stations located around the venue.
🆕 NEW this year: Two food carts will be brought in for Monday and Tuesday lunches from 12-2pm. This is a great option for folks who want to stay onsite.
There are many food and beverage options within 0.5 miles (0.8 km) around the conference venue. Explore Portland’s amazing food scene on the Visiting Portland page.
The Welcome Wagon team will organize lunch and dinner meetups for folks interested in eating with others. Visit the Registration table during conference days to sign up.
Dress Code¶
We don’t have one! Portland is a casual-dress city and so is the Write the Docs conference.
You’ll be meeting business colleagues at this conference, though, so neat and comfortable are good dress guidelines.
Bring layers! Weather is on average high 65°F (18°C), low of 48°F (8°C), rainy, and partly sunny.
Bring appropriate hiking clothes and shoes for those going on the hike. Review the Hike page for more information.
Accessibility¶
We are committed to hosting a conference that is accessible to everyone. Below are the efforts we’re taking to provide an accessible conference:
In the Venue¶
Wheelchair accessibility to all conference spaces
Step-free access to all areas of the conference
Elevator access to the 2nd and 3rd floors
1st floor restrooms are gender-neutral, single, and multi-stall
2nd and 3rd floor restrooms (auditorium level) are gender-segregated and multi-stall
ADA spots (two) in the guest parking lot south of the venue
Spaces in the venue with seating and tables including the Assembly Lounge, Sunset Room, Show Bar, Martha’s (coffee shop), hallways, the rooftop and patio outside
Open seating: you’re welcome to sit anywhere in the main stage auditorium on the 2nd and 3rd floor.
In the Auditorium¶
Live captioning: If you are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or hearing impaired, and unable to view the captions, a staff member can move you to a closer seat.
Reserved seating will be available for those who need to be close enough to view the live captioning. Please reach out to us so we can prioritize your seating.
Distanced seating in the 3rd floor balcony
Lighting sensitivity: Please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.
Dietary Requirements¶
We aim to provide snacks that meet varying dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Our catering menu and ingredients will be listed. Please email katie@writethedocs.org for other dietary requirements.
Parents Room¶
We have a dedicated parents room that is available as needed. Please check in with the Registration table for information on how to access.
Service Animals¶
Service Animals are welcome at our conference venue.
Tips to Have a Great Conference¶
Join the Write the Docs Slack! This is the main way for attendees to stay connected, make plans, and ask questions during the conference. This requires you complete a sign up form so we highly encourage you sign up before the conference begins.
Attend a Welcome Wagon tour!
Engage with other attendees, volunteers, staff, and speakers. Don’t forget to use Eric Holscher’s Pac-Man Rule to leave room for others to join! The most important part of this conference (and any conference) is the people you meet. Set a goal for yourself to meet a few new people.
Review the Speaker Schedule and choose which talks you want to attend the most. Spread out your time between talks, unconference sessions, networking, and breaks.
Check the Unconference schedule regularly (this will be shared during the conference). People add new sessions all the time.
Give yourself and your brain a break! Conferences are exhilarating, but can also be exhausting. Grab a spot in the Sunset Room or take a quick walk.
Eat! There will be snacks available inside the conference but there are many restaurants close by.
How Do I Participate in the Conference?¶
Speaker Talks:¶
Listen! Take notes of remarkable and thoughtful ideas.
After a talk, use something you heard as a conversation starter with your colleagues or even the speakers during a break.
Writing Day:¶
Writing Day is modeled after the concept of “sprints”. The main goal is to get interesting people in the same room, sharing their passions and goals, and collaborating to find creative solutions to solve a problem or issue.
Sign up or bring a project to lead.
Attend and contribute to someone else’s project.
Unconference:¶
The Unconference consists of attendee-driven sessions that provide the opportunity for anyone to lead, contribute, share ideas, and discuss ideas.
Join and attend an unconference session.
Sign up to lead a session at the schedule board.
Lightning Talks:¶
Lightning Talks are short talks, up to 5 minutes, where you share an idea, concept, or a bit of information that you find interesting.
Sign up to give a talk! Sign up at the Registration table. Selections are announced on Monday and Tuesday before the lunch breaks.
Sponsor Expo:¶
Sponsor Expo will include companies hiring and others sharing products.
Approach a table and talk with sponsors.
Welcome Reception:¶
Join us for our Sunday night welcome party! Stop by and say hello to the Welcome Wagon Team. Meet other attendees or staff! Snacks and beverages included.
Monday Conference Party:¶
This is our main social event of the conference, and this year is held at Jupiter NEXT. Drinks and snacks provided by us.
It is a time to connect with other attendees outside of the scheduled programming. Come for an hour or stay the entire time!
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Jupiter Hotel 900 E Burnside St 2nd floor
Hike:¶
The Hike is the unofficial beginning of the conference. If you arrive before Saturday afternoon, join us for a walk and some fresh air!
Did we miss anything?¶
Is there anything that would make your attendance possible or improve your experience? Please email us at portland@writethedocs.org, and we’ll do what we can to provide it.
