EuroPython Blog

We are pleased to introduce our first keynote speaker for EuroPython 2016: Nicholas Tollervey.

About Nicholas Tollervey

Nicholas is a classically trained musician, philosophy graduate, teacher, author (for O'Reilly) and freelance programmer.

He was a founding member of the London Python Code Dojo, created and organized PyCon UK’s education track and is a fellow of the Python Software Foundation. He also proposed, coordinated and contributed to the PSF’s partnership with the BBC in the creation of the micro:bit.

He’s just like this biography: concise, honest and full of useful information.

The Keynote: A Million Children (and MicroPython)

The BBC micro:bit is a small programmable device for children. A million of them have been handed out to the UK’s 11 and 12 years olds. The Python Software Foundation was a partner in this moon-shot scheme and, thanks to the efforts of Damien George, MicroPython (a full reimplementation of Python 3) runs on the device.

In his keynote, Nicholas will tell the story of the project, describe Python’s role in it and explain how the wider Python community can become involved. It may involve demonstrations, live coding and audience participation.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

The Program work group is happy to announce that there will be an extra Call for Proposals early in June. This call is limited to hot topics and most recent developments in software and technology.

Why is there a second call ?

Planning a big conference is a challenge: On one hand people like to know what will be on our talk schedule to make up their mind and make travel arrangements early. On the other hand technology is progressing at the speed of light these days.

So what’s the solution ? Attend anyway - EuroPython is always a great idea !

Seriously, we have given this some thought and decided to make another extra Call for Proposals just weeks before the conference.

This CfP is strictly reserved for

• hot topics
• emerging technologies
• brand new developments in software & hardware
• recent results in research and science

Some suggestions for topics:

• Exciting new hardware & Internet of Things
• Robotics
• Virtual Reality
• AI & Deep Learning

This call will be open for nine days only:

Saturday June 4th 0:00 to Sunday June 12th 24:00 CEST.

The program work group will select the most exciting and intriguing submissions and will notify the winners on short notice.

(Photo reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/22911992493/)

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

We are happy to announce the schedule for EuroPython 2016 in Bilbao. The program WG has been working hard trying to fit all the sessions in the last few weeks.

With over 180 sessions, over 150 speakers, one day for workshops, 5 days of talks, training, keynotes, lightning talks and open spaces, followed by 2 days of sprints, EuroPython will be one of the most exciting and vibrant Python events this year:

EuroPython 2016 Schedule

The schedule is available in table and list format. Please note that we are still applying changes to the slots and will also add some more interesting special sessions to it in the coming days.

Early in June we will have a short second Call for Proposals, limited to hot topics and most recent developments in software and technology. We will announce details soon.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted proposals. EuroPython wouldn’t be possible without our speakers.

If you want to join the fun, be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible, since ticket sales usually start picking up quite a bit after we announce the schedule.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

Just in case you didn’t find enough Easter eggs today, we have a whole basket of them waiting for you: the first set of accepted sessions for EuroPython 2016 in Bilbao.

EuroPython 2016 Session List

The sessions were selected on the basis of your talk voting and the work of the EuroPython program work group.

From the around 300 proposals, 156 sessions were chosen for EuroPython 2016 in the first round:

• 125 talks
• 20 training sessions
• 11 local track talks
  

We still have several other session types coming (helpdesks, posters, panels, interactive sessions). These will announced separately.

Early in June we will have a short second Call for Proposals, limited to hot topics and most recent developments in software and technology. We will announce details soon.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted proposals. EuroPython wouldn’t be possible without our speakers.

The program work group will now work on the schedule. Given the number of sessions, this may take a while, but we’ll try to get it done as quickly as possible. The WG is also putting together a submission waiting list, which will be used to fill slots of speakers who cannot attend. Speakers on the waiting list will be contacted by the end of next week.

Happy Easter Weekend !

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

We have more than 280 great proposals for talks and training sessions ready for EuroPython 2016 attendees to vote on.

Please note that you have to have a ticket for EuroPython 2016, or have submitted a talk proposal yourself, in order to participate.

Attendees: This is your chance to
shape the conference !

You can search for topics and communicate your personal interest by casting your vote for each talk and training submission on our talk voting page:

Talk voting will be open until Sunday, March 20.

The program workgroup (WG) will then use the talk voting results as basis for their talk selection and announce the list of accepted talks late in March and the schedule shortly thereafter in April.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

Having received almost 300 great proposals for talks, trainings, helpdesks and posters, we now call out to all attendees to vote for what you want to see on the conference schedule.

Please note that you have to have a ticket for EuroPython 2016, or have submitted a talk proposal yourself, in order to participate.

Attendees: This will be your chance to
shape the conference !

You will be able to search for topics and communicate your personal interest by casting your vote for each talk and training submission on our talk voting page:

Talk voting will be open from Monday, March 14, until Sunday, March 20.

The program workgroup (WG) will then use the talk voting results as basis for their talk selection and announce the list of accepted talks late in March and the schedule shortly thereafter in April.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

We are happy to announce a program for people in need of financial aid to attend EuroPython.

You can find all the details on our financial aid page:

Financial Aid Program

In short, we will be giving out grants in three categories:

• Free tickets
  
• Travel costs
• Accommodation

Anyone who wants to attend EuroPython 2016 can apply, including people who have already purchased tickets. We want to make the event affordable for as many people as possible.

Financial Aid Sponsor

Financial aid is sponsored in part by:

The Python Software Foundation (PSF)

Looking for financial aid sponsors

We are still looking for sponsors to increase the budget we have available for financial aid. If your company would like to sign up as financial aid sponsor, please contact the sponsors team.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

We will be switching to regular ticket prices very soon now:

• Student: EUR 120.00 (only available for students; please bring your student card)
• Personal: EUR 360.00 (for people enjoying Python from home)
• Business: EUR 580.00 (for people using Python to make a living)

but still have a few early-bird tickets left.

If you buy until tomorrow at midnight (Tuesday, March 1st, 23:59 CET), you can save up to EUR 200 on early-bird prices, compared to the above regular prices:

More Information and Ticket Shop

PS: Please remember to submit your proposals for the conference. There are only a few days left for submission. The deadline is Sunday, March 6.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

We have opened up the early-bird sales today and tickets are selling fast. The first 100 early-bird tickets, we have available, will be gone in an hour. If you want to benefit from reduced ticket prices too, please register soon.

Our early bird ticket sales are limited to 300 tickets. Regular ticket sales will start shortly after we’ve ended the early bird sales.

More Information and Ticket Shop

PS: Remember to submit your proposals for the conference. There are less than two weeks left.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team

After the Call for Proposals for EuroPython 2016 last week, we are now calling out to everyone interested in signing up as EuroPython attendee early. You will be able to benefit from reduced ticket prices for a short period of time.

Our early bird ticket sales are limited to 300 tickets. Regular sales start shortly after we’ve ended the early bird sales.

More Information and Ticket Shop

We will be opening the flood gates on Tuesday, 23.02.2016, 09:00 CET, so set your alarms to make sure you can secure your ticket. Experience shows that early bird tickets sell out quickly.

PS: Remember to submit your proposals for the conference. There are less than two weeks left.

With gravitational regards,
–
EuroPython 2016 Team