Attending Momentum Developer Conference 2024: A Recap of Innovation and Networking
Attending the 2024 version of the Momentum Developer Conference was an exhilarating experience for any tech enthusiast, and I was fortunate enough to be part of it. Held at the cutting edge of technological innovation, this conference brought together some of the brightest minds in the development and software engineering in the Midwest. It was packed with top-tier sessions and an abundance of opportunities for professional growth. In this post, I’ll take you through my experience, the impactful talks I attended, and why attending conferences like this is a critical part of professional development.
What is Momentum?
Momentum Developer Conference is more than just another tech event; it’s an industry-leading conference designed specifically for developers who want to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving technological landscape. The name itself, “Momentum,” reflects the focus on forward movement, staying agile, and continuously advancing in a world where technology changes at breakneck speeds. This annual event is a premier gathering of tech enthusiasts, all eager to share knowledge, learn about the latest tools, frameworks, and methodologies, and discuss the future of the industry. I have only missed one session in the six years that the conference has been going on.
Momentum isn’t only about the latest gadgets or software updates; it’s a platform that celebrates progress and pushes attendees to think critically about the challenges and opportunities in tech today. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or someone just starting out in the field, Momentum offers something for everyone—sessions ranging from in-depth coding workshops to high-level discussions on the ethics of artificial intelligence. This year, the focus on AI, data science, and software engineering principles helped bring clarity to where the industry is headed in 2024 and beyond.
The Sessions I Attended
The 2024 conference was brimming with valuable content, and I had the opportunity to attend several standout sessions. Here are a few that had the biggest impact on me:
- Smarter Testing: Leveraging AI in E2E Journeys by Avindra Fernando
- Protecting Your Code: API Security from Development to Deployment by Dan Barahona
- Accessibility Testing with Screen Readers & More by Erissa Duvall
- Lessons learned from building Silly and Serious AI Applications by Matt Eland
- Patterns and Architectures Beyond Microservices by Steve Shary
- How To Get Started With AI: Moving Beyond ChatGPT by Jordan Thayer
- Minimum Viable Replacement: What I learned from burning through $20M of FedEx’s money by Kevin Mireles
There were several different timeslots, with five session options during each timeslot. Each session was packed with actionable insights that I’m eager to bring back to my own projects and teams.
Networking: The Hidden Gem of Conferences
One of the biggest benefits of attending conferences like Momentum isn’t just the sessions—it’s the networking. In an increasingly remote world, conferences provide rare face-to-face interactions with some of the most talented professionals in the industry. The people you meet can become future collaborators, mentors, or even employers. Building these connections is vital to staying relevant and successful in a fast-moving field.
At Momentum, I had the opportunity to connect with old colleagues and meet new friends, many of whom had unique perspectives on the challenges we face as a community. Whether it was a conversation over lunch or an impromptu brainstorming session after a talk, these moments were invaluable. I even had the chance to meet a few of the speakers, which led to deeper discussions about their areas of expertise and ongoing projects.
Pinnacle employees Trey Howard, Jay Larbes, Will Morrison, Steve Brettschneider, Corey Barnett, Dan Miller and Tom Cote at Momentum Developer Conference 2024
The Bottom Line
Attending Momentum Developer Conference 2024 was an unforgettable experience. The knowledge I gained from the sessions, the inspiration from the cutting-edge talks, and the connections I made will undoubtedly shape my approach to development in the coming years. Conferences like Momentum aren’t just about learning new skills; they’re about expanding your horizons and staying connected to a community that is always moving forward.
If you ever get the chance to attend, I highly recommend making the investment. The energy, the knowledge, and the relationships you build will have a lasting impact on your career.