My first ever tech related talk was at Codeland and it was a blast. Sure, I was nervous as I had never been before - but everyone involved made it easy for me to do my best and enjoy the process. Great organization, support for everyone who needed it, options for feedback on the slides and overall a super friendly atmosphere.

These days, when I come across CFPs (Call for Presentations / Papers, what you use to apply to conferences), a few conference have a checkbox for 'first-time speakers' or an option to tick if you'd like support with your talk outline. I think this is so great, helps bring new speakers in, diversify the line-up and lower the threshold - after all, speaking at a conf or meet-up can be so intimidating.

But these options are not yet the norm. Unfortunately, not all conferences are equally welcoming to newbies. In my experience, the smaller the conf, the more personal it generally is, leaving more room for adjustments and support. Local meet-ups, community events and the like are a great place to get started in general.

Can you recommend any specific events for first-time speakers or people who are just starting our on their journey? Virtual and in-person, all options welcome 🤗