My Experience at Build Stuff 2024

Last week, I attended Build Stuff 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania, and it still is one of the most well-organized conferences I’ve ever been to. Build Stuff is one of the leading tech conferences in Europe, known for its cutting-edge content and diverse community. It attracts developers, engineers, and tech leaders to share knowledge and showcase innovations in various domains, ranging from code to developer wellness. I have been here before in 2022 and 2023, which were both hosted in the same venue. The event was hosted in a hotel, which added a layer of convenience that’s hard to overstate. Not having to travel during the day meant I could focus entirely on the sessions and workshops without worrying about logistics. During breaks, it was easy to return to my room to decompress and process the information. This setup made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable.

Last year I mainly went to sessions related to the work I was doing at that moment. This year, I decided to challenge myself by attending a workshop for the first time, and it was a fantastic decision. The Kubernetes workshop I joined focused on resource management, covering tools like metrics-server and kube-capacity. It was hands-on and gave me a new perspective on optimizing workloads effectively. Eventhough the speaker was not able to be at the venue, the workshop was done via the online platform Strigo.io in which we all had a small Kubernetes cluster running on AWS to follow the instructions on. The hands-on nature of the workshop was invaluable. By working directly with Kubernetes clusters, I was able to apply what I learned in real-time, making the content much more practical. We delved into how to optimize memory and CPU usage across nodes and pods, and explored strategies to avoid common pitfalls like exceeding memory limits or crashing containers. These were things I was running into at my work and I now have a better understanding of why some workloads are being throttled and how I should handle that.

Besides the workshop, I attended talks on Kubernetes resource management, AI’s potential in business, the future of programming, and no-code platforms. These sessions were not only relevant to my current projects but also gave me insights into emerging trends and tools that I can incorporate into my work. Next to that I always enjoy sessions from experienced speakers such as Kevlin Henney, Dylan Beattie, Richard Campbell, and David Whitney, whose talks bring both depth and practical advice in an entertaining way. I was particularly interested in the no-code session, where they showcased how platforms like Bubble and Xano are empowering (non)developers to create full-fledged applications. This session made me realize how quickly these platforms could reduce my development time for simpler projects, allowing me to scale up my own output. I will be looking into these tools and the Microsoft Power Platform as a no-code solution to add to my toolset. By stepping out of my usual focus area, I came away with fresh ideas and a renewed excitement for tackling challenges in my field.

One of the standout sessions I attended was on “Reading Code,” which focused on improving the way we approach understanding and navigating unfamiliar codebases. The speaker emphasized strategies like breaking down code into smaller chunks, identifying patterns, and using tools to visualize the flow of logic. This could also be done with analog tools, which gives a fresh perspective from staring at screens all day. It was a reminder that code readability is just as important as functionality, as code is written once but read a lot more times.

Vilnius itself was a highlight of the trip. The city’s walkable layout made it easy to explore, and everything I needed—from restaurants to sightseeing spots—was within a short distance. The Old Town’s charm provided a perfect backdrop for unwinding after a day packed with technical talks. I managed to squeeze in some sightseeing and enjoyed how the city blended modern amenities with its rich cultural heritage. On Friday evening, I capped off the week with a prison tour—a unique activity that provided an unexpected mix of history and camaraderie with fellow attendees. These moments outside of traditional conference sessions added variety and made the event even more memorable.

Besides the sessions and workshops, there were several networking events and even an after party with live bands including Dylan Beattie and the Linebreakers that added to the fun atmosphere of the conference. These moments outside of traditional conference sessions added variety and made the event even more memorable. Attending Build Stuff 2024 not only deepened my technical knowledge but also sparked new interests and ideas for my professional growth. It’s always inspiring to step out of the usual routine and see what the broader tech world has to offer. I can’t wait to return next year with even more ideas to share!