Arriving at Amsterdam
My travels went smoothly, but got even smoother after I arrived at Amsterdam airport.
It was an awesome experience to get greeted this way by Llewellyn Falco, Simon Schrijver, Maaret Pyhäjärvi and her sister. I instantly felt welcome.Wow, just experienced another great service #EuroTestConf provides for their speakers: picking me up at the airport gate, giving me my train ticket, waiting with me for the train, having the next ones picking me up when I arrive there. Unbelievably awesome! Thank you!!! 🎉— Elisabeth Hocke (@lisihocke) February 18, 2018
After a short rest at the hotel I enjoyed the second highlight of the day: meeting my learning partner Toyer Mamoojee again in real life! Although we talk every two weeks, we had so many things to tell each other in person. And we also had a final task to do: a last rehearsal of the talk we were going to give the next day. Our chance to practice it for the first time face to face! Well, all our virtual sessions before paid out. Once again we learned how well we got to know each other since we first met at Agile Testing Days 2016.
Time for the speakers' dinner! I learned to love this part of being a speaker at a conference. The evening when we all meet each other before the conference starts is an awesome opportunity to get to know some old and new friendly faces, exchange experiences, and calm each other's nerves.
Awesome people, awesome dinner and awesome venue. @EuroTestingConf kicking off with a bang here in Amsterdam at the Arena. So privileged to be part of it.#EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/5dX5OyhImO— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 18, 2018
Conference Day 1: Telling Our Story on Stage
Although our talk was scheduled for the first conference morning, the first day started surprisingly calm. I slept well, nervousness regarding my upcoming talk was not kicking in already. When asking Toyer about it, he confirmed it was the same for him. This might be due to the fact that either of us had already gathered some speaking experience, or that we knew we will have the other one right beside us on stage; or maybe a combination of both. After arriving at the venue we made sure our room was prepared and our technical setup working. Now we were ready for the conference to start!
Franziska Sauerwein kicked it off. Being a developer herself, she made it clear that this is a conference about testing, explicitly inviting testers and developers side by side (as well as anyone else interested in testing). I'm really intrigued by this idea! Collaboration for the win. Another great point made: European Testing Conference was started to change the world of conferences, for attendees and for speakers; and that proved just about right.
Franziska Sauerwein kicked it off. Being a developer herself, she made it clear that this is a conference about testing, explicitly inviting testers and developers side by side (as well as anyone else interested in testing). I'm really intrigued by this idea! Collaboration for the win. Another great point made: European Testing Conference was started to change the world of conferences, for attendees and for speakers; and that proved just about right.
After the opening, we all enjoyed Gojko Adzic's great keynote "Painless Visual Testing". An exciting story of an experiment that could have failed or succeeded - and turned out to become an even greater success than dreamed of. Make sure to check out his open sourced tool Appraise!I like when a conference starts off by explaining the Code of Conduct. @Singsalad reminds us to say 'everyone' and 'they', not 'guys' & 'he/she' #eurotestconf— lisacrispin (@lisacrispin) February 19, 2018
Separating the what from the how is key to have successful automation. @gojkoadzic #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/IhuCCSFn38— João Proença (@jrosaproenca) February 19, 2018
— Richard Bradshaw (@FriendlyTester) February 19, 2018Right after the opening keynote Toyer and I headed towards our room - it was about showtime for our talk "Finding a Learning Partner in the Testing Community". At first only a few people trickled in, but then more and more found their way to our room. Half of them were awesome people we already met and admired, and half of them awesome people we still would love to get to know. And what can I say? We finally shared our story how we found each other as learning partners - on stage! It was simply amazing. According to the feedback we received afterwards we managed to inspire a lot of people, just as we intended. In case you missed our talk but would like to learn more, here are our slides, here's our InfoQ Q&A about the talk, and if you happen to organize a conference yourself we offer to share our story again on stage! ;-) Finally, some impressions on our talk.
My best moment of #EuroTestConf so far : accountability buddy @lisihocke hopefully this pic makes it into further presentations we could do in future. Thanks for pairing with me on this 1. pic.twitter.com/Jlu6pMUVl2— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 20, 2018
@lisihocke and @tottiLFC on their journey in pairing in the testing community! Was looking forward to this one! #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/DspXBmuJ7k— João Proença (@jrosaproenca) February 19, 2018
A strong piece of inspiration in @lisihocke & @tottiLFC at #EuroTestConf— always fearful (@always_fearful) February 19, 2018
Find yourself a test-buddy!
@lisihocke and @tottiLFC sharing their learning partnering story that ended up in them presenting at @AgileTD 2017 - plus supporting each other with blogging, learning, speaking, motivating each other #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/mxFNwnEcCc— Ron Werner (@ron_werner) February 19, 2018
'Finding a Learning Partner in the Testing Community' by @tottiLFC & @lisihocke at #EuroTestConf. Sharing their learning journey & encouraging all of us to enter into a learning #PACT to share & learn with people from all over the world. #sketchnote Let's challenge ourselves! pic.twitter.com/dtTDkPeiW5— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 19, 2018
My #sketchnote of @lisihocke & @tottiLFC's #eurotestconf presentation "Finding a learning partner in the testing community" pic.twitter.com/cOwgAl9uov— Zeger Van Hese (@TestSideStory) February 19, 2018
If you're in @lisihocke & @tottiLFC's #EuroTestConf session, I hope you'll be inspired by then to share your experiences by speaking, writing. It's scary but a great way to learn! Pair up FTW!— lisacrispin (@lisacrispin) February 19, 2018
Multiply your knowledge by finding your testing buddy anywhere in the world. @lisihocke @tottiLFC #EuroTestConf +1! (Writing books & creating courses with a pair is also a great idea! 😁 )— lisacrispin (@lisacrispin) February 19, 2018
Right after our talk we rushed to the next great session: a speed meet! As Llewellyn put it, getting 200 geeks to talk is an achievement in itself ;) This format is an awesome icebreaker and fit really well to Toyer's and my talk before. We all were asked to create a personal mind map with three branches: about our person, about our work, and about what happened last year. This was a great conversation starter for the limited time we had to get to know the other person in front of us. My personal highlight: This way I could finally speak to Gojko himself, who had joined our talk before so that we instantly had a great topic to talk about! He also loved the fact that I studied sinology, as "inspiration can be found anywhere". I absolutely agree.So glad we could share our story..which has been such a pleasure to present with you. Here's to many great things to come in future!!! #EuroTestConf— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 19, 2018
Afterwards: lunch break! Time to finally get to know João Proença better. He is part of the other pact group together with Christian Baumann and Sonja Nešić which emerged at Agile Testing Days 2017, inspired by Toyer's and my learning partnership. What a great new connection! Throughout the conference we had really interesting conversations and I learned we have a lot to learn from each other.This is the sound of a whole conference of geeks getting to know each other #EuroTestConf #SpeedMeet pic.twitter.com/0OXnTdpCCX— Llewellyn Falco (@LlewellynFalco) February 19, 2018
In the afternoon I joined Amber Race's workshop "Exploring Your APIs with Postman". She did a great job at making people aware of what to look out for when testing APIs as well as in demonstrating Postman, a really valuable REST client with many useful features (if you now read about this tool for the first time, make sure to check it out). It seems many people really were not aware of how easily they could get started with testing APIs. Although I already knew a lot of what Amber shared, I still could note a few points to implement at work. The only sad thing for me was that the hands-on time during the workshop was very limited. I would have wished for more time actually practicing exploring an API within our group.Another connection struck. This time at @EuroTestingConf @jrosaproenca we feel your energy and drive! Special pic with you and @lisihocke #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/P5KiFx78hu— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 20, 2018
Well, it also had it's good sides. From the past conferences I've spoken at I learned that at the day that I have my talk, I will have a down phase where I will be unable to concentrate anymore and get distracted by the feedback on the talk coming in on Twitter. This time, this phase started in the workshop and unfortunately continued during Emily Bache's talk about "Testing Microservices". From what I saw and heard it was a great talk, and I would have loved to learn more about Emily's experience; but I just could not pay the attention it deserved.
Next up: lean coffee! I love this agenda-less format where participants can bring their own topics and challenges into the discussion. We speakers were asked to facilitate, and I happily focused on just that. After yet another break with snacks and great conversations (I love how this conference provides multiple opportunities for people to get to know each other and exchange experience!), it was time for the last keynote for the day. Lanette Creamer did a fabulous job, telling us how to "Test Like a Cat"; a very enlightening presentation with many invaluable reminders for us testers. Just afterwards I learned it was her very first keynote! She really should get invited by more conferences.
Was that the end of conference day one? Not yet, as it ended by something I've never seen at a conference so far. And as I've seen it now, I wonder how any modern conference can do without. They scheduled a retrospective so that organizers can get instant feedback from everyone and see where they can immediately adapt. And they did solve what they could! Unbelievably awesome!'Test Like a Cat!' by the fabulous @lanettecream at #EuroTestConf. Survive with dignity. Hunt effectively. Communicate for Results. Take comfort & Rest. Optimize your surroundings. Thanks Lanette! I had fun creating this #sketchnote pic.twitter.com/bAuE3rakvy— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 19, 2018
After shortly returning to the hotel, many people still made it to the restaurant where everybody could follow-up on the day together, enjoy nice food and a free drink.Day 1 - Retrospective #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/IyidSz5SgS— Miroslava Nikolova (@Mirolitka) February 19, 2018
At #EuroTestConf conference party pic.twitter.com/ASbt68EnuC— always fearful (@always_fearful) February 19, 2018
Conference Day 2: Too Good To Call It a Night
The second day started with yet another powerful keynote, this time by Zeger Van Hese: "The Power of Doubt - Becoming a Software Skeptic". I've enjoyed this talk already online, streamed by another conference, but it was just as good seeing it again. If you have the chance, check it out yourself!
#EuroTestConf Any self-respecting movement needs a manifesto. Here's the skeptic one from @TestSideStory pic.twitter.com/b14keqkbtB— Dennis de Booij (@testinsideout) February 20, 2018
After the keynote, it was workshop time again! This morning I decided to join Seb Rose and Gáspár Nagy on "Writing Better BDD Scenarios", as this is a topic I read a lot about but really lack practice. I was delighted that this workshop was really hands-on, triggering lots of discussions around how to best formulate scenarios to benefit from easily understandable documentation as well as maintainable automation.'The Power of Doubt: Becoming a Software Skeptic' by @TestSideStory at #EuroTestConf. Including Healthy Skepticism Heuristics, open minds & persuasive evidence. Doubt reasonably & don't lose your sense of wonder! #sketchnote pic.twitter.com/wlZc938uwL— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 20, 2018
After yet another lunch with plenty of healthy but really tasty food, I enjoyed one of my personal highlights of the conference: Alex Schladebeck with "Exploratory Testing in Action". And when Alex says in action, she means in action. She lived up to what she promised and tested live on stage, simultaneously talking about her own testing and then debriefing it together with the audience. For all live testing she only prepared the system under test and two charters, without practicing anything upfront. And she absolutely rocked it! Awesome concept, message, and delivery. I'm in awe of the courage she showed, demonstrating the whole room what testing is and how to talk about it while being authentic, highly entertaining, and knowledgeable. I guess the only thing to top this would be to have the audience select the system under test and charters live. Alex, in case you read this: challenge accepted? ;-)
Next up I joined Mirjana Kolarov sharing her experiences about "Monitoring in Production". As my team is on our way improving our monitoring I could really relate to the talk and also gain some great tips. The rest of the afternoon was preserved for a longer open space. Participants brought forward lots of awesome topics, so it was hard to choose which ones to attend. I first joined an experience exchange on mind maps where I learned how other testers use them in many different ways to help testing. Afterwards I could contribute to the question on how to identify a good tester in an interview; a discussion which draw so much interest that it inofficially continued for yet another slot.'Exploratory Testing in Action' by @alex_schl at #EuroTestConf. Engaging demonstration of exploratory testing, debriefing & experimenting. #sketchnote Oh, look! A Squirrel! pic.twitter.com/Th5XAkQCkI— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 20, 2018
Astronomer Pamela Gay got the honor of the closing keynote for the conference: "Testing v. Crowdsourced Data, or How I learned to stop worrying and Love the F-Bomb". What a wonderful, inspiring keynote about difficulties at a level that probably not many others are facing. You know, rocks are hard - literally and figuratively. Identifying craters on the moon so that spacecrafts could land safely is a very tricky problem for both computers and human professionals; but (lots of) humans prove to be good in solving it after all. You never heard of Pamela? Now you have, and you should remember her. Wanna help her map the moon?The #EuroTestConf Open Space: Note that some sessions added annotations to the board with the session outcomes!— Wouter Lagerweij (@wouterla) February 20, 2018
Full-size at https://t.co/lwCk0anD4K pic.twitter.com/CJc8ybhntH
@starstryder on building a software to teach people how to appropriately identify craters, rocks in pictures... a problem not solved by computer vision techniques. #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/DCqXYTsvKn— João Proença (@jrosaproenca) February 20, 2018
At the very end of the conference, you might have guessed it, there was yet another retrospective! This time using the input of the audience to craft a mind map to help planning for next year. One of the positive things people mentioned: Throughout the conference we enjoyed the notes of brilliant new sketchnote artist Marianne Duijst! Check out her collection of sketchnotes done by her and others during the conference, they are absolutely worth it..@starstryder "So I've left enough time for questions. Anyone?"— Vernon Richards (@TesterFromLeic) February 20, 2018
My brain: Doctor. Nasa scientist. Explorer of the universe.
Me: Nope. #EuroTestConf pic.twitter.com/fOM6dFC8hM
So, was the conference now really over? Officially yes, but inofficially it was still continuing! Many of us could not let go yet and rejoined at a nearby restaurant.I learned a lot at #EuroTestConf & feel grateful for the opportunity to #sketchnote it. Now for the complete collection by myself, @KatjaBudnikov & @TestSideStory. Here are summaries of talks, workshops & keynotes. Thank you all for the conversations!https://t.co/6429YlcvS6— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 22, 2018
And even after a great dinner we could not yet let it go and gathered in the hotel lobby for a few more drinks with absolutely awesome people. Although completely tired, having those invaluable deep conversations even after the conference officially ended, made me feel at home even more.Confirmed! Tons of space at Marmaris for dinner and/or drinks for anyone that wants to join post #EuroTestConf ! Right near the venue, train, and hotel so no excuses :P pic.twitter.com/Tdza0Su9Iq— Abby Bangser (@a_bangser) February 20, 2018
Love this talk with @lisihocke & @tottiLFC at #EuroTestConf where we are brainstorming about our #AgileTD submissions. Such an encouraging conversation. Let's keep cheering each other on!— Marianne Duijst (@marianneduijst) February 20, 2018
Saying Goodbye for 2018
The next day I finally and really had to return home. Tired, happy, full of inspiration, new friendships made, existing ones strengthened, keeping the conference spirit in my heart.Last but not least I'd like to thank the wonderful organizing team Maaret Pyhäjärvi, Franziska Sauerwein, Llewellyn Falco, Peter, Alina Ionescu, Julia Durán, Simon Schrijver, as well as all volunteers helping European Testing Conference. You indeed do change the world of conferences - for both speakers and attendees. Many thanks for all your support and service, inspection and adaption, and most of all for providing the opportunity for everyone at the conference to learn from each other, together, with joy. THANK YOU.
I've never attended this conference before, but yet it felt like coming home. It had a kind of magic. The schedule was well balanced, the content awesome, the mixture of session types perfect, the speakers well taken care of. The people were amazingly inspiring and given the chance to have deep conversations with each other. I learned that European Testing Conference is all about the people. And these people are home.
— Euro Testing Conf (@EuroTestingConf) February 20, 2018
A superbly successful @EuroTestingConf draws to a close. Thanks for the amazing learnings, ideas, new friendships and lasting impressions #EuroTestConf— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 20, 2018
On my way home from #EuroTestConf. I wanna thank each one of you I've talked to - every single conversation was inspiring. Huge thanks to organizers @maaretp, @LlewellynFalco and @Singsalad who made speakers feel awsome! What a conference!— Mirjana Kolarov (@mirjanakolarov) February 21, 2018
Never before in a conference have I discussed so much and with so many different people. Thanks @maaretp @LlewellynFalco @Singsalad @SimonSaysNoMore and everyone else there for a superb #EuroTestConf— Anssi Lehtelä (@hellofatester) February 21, 2018
The best part about the #EuroTestConf is that it’s geared towards getting people to network. Had some awesome discussions today!— João Proença (@jrosaproenca) February 19, 2018
Don't worry. The Twitter feed will be back to the normal quiet again now. But I will treasure #EuroTestConf and all that the organisers put in to it for these experiences. Thank you to everyone I learned from the last couple of days!— Abby Bangser (@a_bangser) February 21, 2018
Totally agree Pamela. What's amazing for me is how strangers from any part of the world just click and have so much valuable input to share. Only an amazing conference allows something like that. Strangers become friends! Thank you #EuroTestConf— Toyer M (@tottiLFC) February 21, 2018
Goodbye #EuroTestConf! What an amazing conference you've been. My deepest thanks to all attendees, speakers, volunteers, and especially organizers - you all made it a very special magic event!!! Hope to see you again next year! :-)— Elisabeth Hocke (@lisihocke) February 21, 2018
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