London EPiServer Developer Meetup
For some time I’ve been thinking that because EPiServer has grown so consistently in the UK – that must also mean that the number of developers working with EPiServer in the UK must also have increased (though not quite enough judging by the number of recruitment agents still on the look-out for anybody with mad EPiServer skillz).
However, beyond the contacts that our agencies have with the UK EPiServer sales team – the contact that we as developers have directly with the EPiServer development team is limited, perhaps to a support ticket or two; or maybe to a high-level presentation at a Partner event. This isn’t the case in Sweden and Norway, and not withstanding the fact that EPiServer is based in Sweden giving an obvious advantage, I think we can improve the situation in the UK.
One of the successful initiatives set up in the mean streets of both Stockholm and Olso is the idea of an EPiServer meetup – an evening where developers across differing agencies meet up to share EPiServer experiences (both good and not so good), new ideas and the latest techniques all in the informal company of beer. These communities also extend to offering feedback and feature requests to EPiServer.
The groups in Sweden and Norway currently have over 350 and 90 members respectively. I’m not sure exactly how many UK EPiServer developers are out there but I’d like to think we can match that. I know that I’ve already met a fair number of you through work, previous partner days and even randomly bumping into you on the tube.
The Goals
Getting all formal for just a minute; the goals for this group are:
- Give developers a stage to demonstrate and share some of their work and experiences with EPiServer and web development in general.
- Help further encourage and engage the UK EPiServer developer community.
- Act as a centralised UK channel for EPiServer developers to provide feedback and feature requests directly to EPiServer.
The First Event
Fortune Cookie (where I work) have kindly volunteered to host the first event, and even more kindly offered to provide some beer and nibbles for us – woop!
- Thurs 21st October 2010, 18.30-21.00
- Fortune Cookie, The Lightwell, 12-16 Laystall Street, London, EC1R 4PF (Map)
I’ve not yet set up a full program of talks, but I’ve got some in mind on topics that hopefully you’ll find interesting. Again, its up to all of us to make this a success, so if any of you have any ideas about topics, or wish to volunteer for a talk then please get in touch (mark.everard@fortunecookie.co.uk)
If you’re interested then please sign-up and RSVP using the meetup group I’ve created.