Celebrating a decade of DevDay - Highlights from 2024

DevDay 2024 marked its tenth anniversary in style, as the “Palais des Congrès” in Mons, Belgium, buzzed with the energy of 600 developers, enthusiasts, and tech leaders on November 7th. After years in Louvain-La-Neuve, the return to Mons was symbolic—grounding this event in its hometown roots while underscoring its growing influence in the tech community.

The excitement was palpable from the moment attendees arrived. The event offered nearly 40 sessions, with topics ranging from generative AI to cloud architecture. Aimed at fostering learning, connection, and innovation, DevDay 2024 showcased a broad range of talks, from deep-dive sessions to quick-fire lightning talks. One of the event co-organizers, the MVP Adrien Clerbois described the atmosphere as “inspirational,” noting the rare opportunity for so many passionate people to gather and share insights. “My motivation lies in creating a space where we can all share our enthusiasm for technology and innovation,” said Adrien, who has been pivotal in organizing this event to foster genuine connections within the developer community.

MVP Adrien Clerbois

This year, the focus on AI ignited an especially enthusiastic response. Developers were captivated by sessions exploring AI-driven productivity tools, efficient application development, and the transformative potential of generative AI—a field that has rapidly evolved and captured global attention. Nicolas Robert, another MVP and first-time speaker at DevDay, presented on generative AI and Azure PaaS best practices, recognizing the event’s unique impact in the developer space.

MVP Nicolas Robert

"It’s different from most of the conferences I attended last year,” Nicolas reflected. “It’s community-led, but with the polish of a professional conference.” He emphasized that this community feel, combined with high-quality content, made DevDay a standout experience and an ideal networking hub.

Beyond the packed schedule of talks, DevDay provided moments for attendees to forge meaningful connections with peers, speakers, and even Microsoft representatives who joined the event. The presence of Microsoft team members, impressed by the event’s scope and quality, highlighted DevDay’s growing reputation as a key tech gathering in Belgium.

For Adrien, Nicolas, and others in the organizing team, DevDay is more than a one-day event—it’s an evolving community. Every year, it provides a platform for sharing the latest in tech innovation, connecting seasoned professionals with emerging developers, and responding to the tech world’s rapid advancements. With DevDay’s popularity on the rise, organizers are already looking to next year, inviting new ideas for speakers and sessions.

As DevDay 2024 came to a close, attendees left Mons with new knowledge, inspiration, and a shared commitment to technological innovation. In the words of Nicolas, “Don’t hesitate to attend DevDay BE! And if you have something to share, check the next Call for Speakers and submit your idea!” DevDay has become a beacon for the Belgian tech community, bringing the brightest minds together in a collective pursuit of progress and innovation.

If you are interested in more content, some of the sessions slide decks are available on the DevDay Github repository.