Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Related
Who can I contact for questions relating to payment?
You can contact us for any payment questions at payments@qconsf.com.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Paypal and major credit cards. A payment charged to your credit card or Paypal account is processed directly by us in the funds stated on the website. Please note that QCon is a trademarked and wholly-owned brand of C4Media Inc., which is located in Canada. Customers outside Canada or cards denominated in other currencies may incur foreign transaction or exchange fees from their issuing bank. C4Media does not control nor collect these fees.
Can I pay for tickets by invoice?
You are able to pay by invoice online by checking the "Do You Want to Pay Later by Invoice?" checkbox during registration.
The amount of your invoice reflects the published ticket price in effect at the time that your payment of the invoice is due, which is 30 days* from when you submit the order and receive your invoice. You can review our list of early bird discounts (i.e. early payment discounts) and dates of pricing changes on this pricing table. Pricing is based on the date of receipt of payment. If you pay by credit card instead, you will receive that day's price and you will be emailed a full receipt, marked paid. Only participants who have paid for the event in full before the event start date, will be admitted to the conference or receive access credentials.
For In-Person Conference and/or Training Tickets:
Payment by invoice online will be available until Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 (subject to change without notice). After this date you can email us at payments@qconsf.com to request payment by invoice. Due to the proximity of the start date of the event, we encourage you to instead make a payment by credit card. All credit card payments will automatically generate a receipt, marked paid, that is emailed to the buyer for your accounting records. If you still require an invoice to pay by wire, please email us and will evaluate your request to confirm that your payment by wire will be received by us no later than November 8th, 2024. Please note that this will be less than 30 days to send payment.
*except where an invoice is issued between September 20th, 2024 and October 22nd, 2024 in which case payment is due no later than October 29th, 2024.
For Video-Only Passes:
Payment by invoice online will be available until Friday, November 22nd, 2024 (subject to change without notice). Any tickets purchased after November 22nd, 2024 must be paid via credit card or PayPal on our online registration portal. All credit card payments will automatically generate a receipt, marked paid, that is emailed to the buyer for your accounting records.
*except where an invoice is issued between October 23rd, 2024 and November 22nd, 2024 in which case payment is due no later than November 29th, 2024.
What are the early bird discounts?
We offer discounted prices for purchasing earlier. We call this offer our “early bird” pricing. The earlier the ticket is purchased prior to the start of the conference, the larger the discount offered. You can review our list of early bird deadlines and pricing changes in our pricing table (subject to change without notice). For early bird pricing offers, we show the savings (as a percentage) if the ticket is purchased today versus the full price charged at the conference.
Do you offer discounts for multiple ticket purchases for teams or groups looking to attend?
Groups as small as 3 attendees working for the same company are eligible for a group discount.
We also offer our returning QCon and QCon Plus attendees an alumni discount, available starting April 17, 2024.
Group discounts for groups of 10+ attendees are available. Discounts for all other group sizes will be available starting April 17th, 2024.
For more details and to apply for a discount code, please contact info@qconsf.com and mention the size of a group or the alumni name(s). Discounts cannot be combined or applied retroactively.
Do you offer alumni discounts for returning attendees?
We offer our returning QCon and QCon Plus attendees an alumni discount, available for the 3-day, 4-day or 5-day ticket, available starting April 17th, 2024.
For more details and to apply for a discount code, please contact info@qconsf.com and mention the alumni name(s).
You can read more about the alumni program and rewards on the QCon alumni page.
Please note, discounts cannot be combined or applied retroactively.
How do I log into the event website?
Registered attendees should log into their QCon San Francisco account at https://qconsf.com/my-account. You can reset your password at https://qconsf.com/user/password.
Do you offer a template to help convince my boss?
We've developed two templates you can use to explain to your boss how you and your team can benefit from the insights shared at QCon.
Both templates offer space for you to customize the sessions you want to attend, capture the costs for attending (including things like travel costs and expenses), and help you explain the value of attending. You can edit it as you see fit.
Can I transfer my registration to another attendee?
You can transfer your QCon San Francisco 2024 ticket to another person until Friday, November 15th, 2024 for free (the transfer fee is waived). Email info@qconsf.com to request the transfer.
How will I receive access to QCon after a ticket is purchased?
You will receive confirmation of your registration by email once you have completed your registration details. If you can’t find your confirmation email, please check your spam folder, and email info@qconsf.com.
What is the Training Refund Guarantee Policy?
QCon's Training Refund Guarantee Policy allows you to receive a refund for training up to and including Monday, September 23, 2024 - no questions asked! As of Tuesday, September 24, 2024 refunds for trainings are no longer issued.
Can I get an invitation letter for a visa application or border control?
We are happy to assist you with an invitation letter. In order to do so you will need to provide the information below. Using your work email address, please send us the following information to info@qconsf.com:
- A screen capture or link to your LinkedIn profile
- A paystub showing your name, current employer, and current payroll period (blocking out any personal information such as the amount or address.)
- Proof of Visa Appointment Date (a copy of the confirmation email). This should show the visa authorities name, your name, email, and appointment date. OR Proof of US Visa (if you already have a visa).
- Full Name (as on passport):
- Date of Birth:
- Company Name:
- Position:
- Date of Employment with Current Company:
- Nationality:
- City and Country of Residence (where will you return after QCon):
- Travel Dates to and from San Francisco:
- If you have been to San Francisco before and if so, on what dates:
Note: we encourage you to apply for a visa before buying a conference ticket as we will not refund your registration fee if your visa application is turned down.
Can I share my badge with my colleagues?
No, badge sharing is not allowed at QCon.
If I’m unable to attend QCon San Francisco 2024 in-person, what options do I have?
Conference registration fees are non-refundable. However, if for some reason you can no longer attend QCon San Francisco 2024 in-person, you have 2 options to still make use of the ticket:
- Transfer: You can transfer your QCon San Francisco 2024 ticket to another person until Friday, November 15th, 2024 (transfer fee is waived). Email info@qconsf.com to request the transfer. We will need the following information for the new attendee: Legal first and last name, preferred first name, preferred pronouns, job title, email address.
- Watch online: You can watch the sessions via your online access that comes with the in-person ticket during the 6 months following the conference.
It is the responsibility of the transfer-giver to make sure that the transfer recipient receives and agrees to the QCon San Francisco Terms of Participation, is fully informed about the requirements of attending QCon San Francisco 2024. Failure of the transfer recipient being made aware of, or agreeing to, the QCon Terms and Conditions will not be a reason for a refund.
What is the Cancellation and Refund policy?
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Please refer to QCon San Francisco Terms of Participation for more information.
What are the QCon Terms of Participation?
QCon Terms of Participation can be found at https://qconsf.com/terms-conditions.
Video-Only Pass
What is the QCon Video-Only Pass? Video-Only Pass
The Video-Only Pass allows you to watch most sessions that were recorded in-person at the QCon San Francisco conference.
These sessions will be made available two weeks after the in-person event. All Video-Only Pass holders will receive an email with their login credentials once the video access has been enabled.
Viewing time for all the technical content is around 60+ hours - you will be able to watch all these sessions at your own pace. Videos will remain available for 6 months.
You can learn more about the Video-Only Pass here.
What does the Video-Only Pass include? Video-Only Pass
The Video-Only Pass includes exclusive access to most sessions that were recorded at the in-person event. You will have access to these sessions by logging into your my account page.
When will sessions be available for Video-Only Pass holders? Video-Only Pass
The sessions will be available two weeks after the in-person conference and will remain available for the duration of 6 months following the conference.
All Video-Only Pass holders will receive an email with their login credentials once the video access has been enabled.
Will QCon San Francisco be available as a live stream for Video-Only Pass holders? Video-Only Pass
There are no live-streamed sessions.
At the conference
When and how can I build my personal schedule?
All attendees will be emailed their login credentials a couple of weeks prior to the conference, once the schedule builder is available.
- You will be emailed a one-time login and will need to set up your own password or log into your account on the QCon website.
- Once you logged in, visit the schedule page where you can build and access your custom schedule.
- Click on the bookmark icon on the schedule page and it will turn yellow. This is your indication that it’s saved in your personal schedule. All saved sessions will be listed under “My schedule”. You can also save sessions to watch them later by clicking on the video icon.
While there are many talks from which to choose, there are only 21 time slots (including keynotes). In order to optimize your experience at QCon, we encourage you to pre-plan the talks that you would like to attend. If you have any technical questions please contact webmaster@qconsf.com.
How do I collect my badge for QCon? In-person ticket
Badge pick-up will start at 7:15 a.m. on Monday, and at 8:00 a.m. from Tuesday to Friday.
Please arrive well in advance of the keynote. While we do our best to minimize the lines, there may still be some wait times. Attendees can enjoy a light continental breakfast before the first session.
A photo ID is required in order to pick up your badge.
Attendees may only pick up their own badges.
How can I get help during the event?
If you need any support during the event, you can visit the Info Desk in the registration area or email us at info@qconsf.com and a staff member will be happy to help you.
Will wifi be available at the conference? In-person ticket
Yes, wifi will be available at QCon San Francisco. You will find wifi details on your attendee badge.
What are Lunch Topic Discussion Tables? In-person ticket
You can join one of the Lunch Topic Discussion Tables and share your insights and questions with fellow attendees. It’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of every minute of your time at QCon by connecting with peers who are working with the same tools, constraints and challenges you are!
This is an incredible opportunity to bring up anything you’d like to talk about! You can have unstructured conversations and debates around some of the major topics presented at QCon.
How can I give feedback on presentations I attend?
Please rate the presentations that you attend. Your feedback helps us improve our content and organization.
In-person attendees will be able to vote using the InfoQ mobile app. Attendees can also vote on the QCon website when logged into your QCon San Francisco account. You have the choice of selecting:
- super green: presenter went above and beyond my expectations
- green: met or exceeded expectations
- yellow: lacked fundamental expectations
- red: failed to meet any of my expectations
What is the dress code for the conference? In-person ticket
QCon doesn’t have a formal dress code.
What is the event hashtag?
Tag us using the #QConSF, #QCon and #QConCares
Find us here:
On X, you can find us @QConSF
On LinkedIn, you can find us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/qcon-conferences/
On Facebook, you can find us at https://www.facebook.com/QCon
On Instagram, you can find us at https://www.instagram.com/qconconferences/
On Tik Tok, you can find us at https://www.tiktok.com/@qconferences
Will there be an attendee gift? In-person ticket
This year, we have decided to limit traditional conference swag. We understand that swag is often seen as a fun part of attending conferences, but we’ve found that it can sometimes be challenging to choose meaningful and sustainable items.
Our primary goal is to reduce waste and make a positive impact. Instead of providing multiple giveaway items, we are giving away a plantable pencil from Sprout. This eco-friendly pencil can be planted after use and grows into a plant. Additionally, we are donating the remaining gift budget to two organizations: Hack the Hood, which empowers underrepresented youth with tech skills, and One Tree Planted, which is dedicated to global reforestation efforts. You can learn more about the attendee gift here.
This approach aligns with our values and we hope it resonates with you as well. Thank you for understanding and supporting our commitment to sustainability and positive change.
What are lightning talks, how do I sign up for them and where do I watch them? In-person ticket
During QCon San Francisco 2024, we are offering all conference attendees the opportunity to put together a 5-min ‘lightning talk’ and share their knowledge with the rest of the QCon community during break sessions.
If you would like to share your learnings with the QCon crowd and present a short talk, you can learn more and suggest a topic for a 5-min lightning talk through GitHub. Sign up is on a first come-first serve basis. This offer is only available to QCon attendees and sales pitches will not be accepted. On your submission, make sure to include the title of your talk with a link to your slides (in 16:9 ratio), and your name with a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Our team will review your submission and will contact you with more details and support you to set you up for success!
The lightning talks will take place on the Pacific level during breaks. Note that there is no microphone or speaker available and there are no formal plans for recording at this moment.
Conference Format & Experience
Will presentations be available on-demand?
QCon San Francisco attendees will get access to a majority of keynote and presentation recordings. Video recordings will be available within around two weeks and will remain available for 6 months. Talks can be accessed via the QCon San Francisco site. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox to watch session recordings as we frequently observe technical difficulties with Safari.
Will attendees get access to the presentation slides?
We are encouraging speakers to share their presentation slides to be able to make them available to QCon San Francisco attendees. If the speaker agreed to share their slides, they will be made available in the schedule and on the presentation page within days.
What is a track?
There are 12 primary themes at QCon. Each of the major themes is organized into what we call tracks. A track represents five curated talks, and most tracks also include an unconference session.
All of the sessions are led by domain experts who guide the selection process. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 12 editorial tracks at QCon. You will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
Which rewards does the QCon alumni program include?
You will automatically qualify as a QCon alumni when you have registered to attend any 2 or more QCon events (in-person or online).
If you attend QCon frequently, you will move up the QCon alumni tiers, unlocking more benefits.
You can read more about the alumni program and rewards on the QCon alumni page.
What does QCon do to support diversity and inclusion?
At QCon, we want to foster an environment that is both diverse and inclusive. The ideas and thoughts generated within a diverse group tend to be more innovative and thought-provoking. This atmosphere characterizes the very essence of QCon. Some of the things we are doing at QCon San Francisco to make the environment more inclusive include:
- Enforced Code of Conduct
- Women and Allies in Tech events
- Deconstructed menus (to cater to allergies or food preferences)
- Access to all-gender restrooms
- Prayer room
- Lactation Room
- Quiet Areas
- Assistance and Guide Dogs are welcome
- Wheelchair accessible venues
- Free diversity tickets for senior developers from underrepresented groups in tech (more information here)
If there is something that would make you feel more welcome, you feel we’re missing at the conference, or would like more information on, please let us know at info@qconsf.com .
What is the QCon code of conduct?
We designed QCon as a place where everyone feels safe to express themselves, learn, and succeed in adopting new technology and practices. We enforce this through the QCon Code of Conduct to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for our thousands of inspiring attendees.
By joining QCon, you agree to our Code of Conduct. All QCon participants, speakers, sponsors, and staff are required to abide by our code of conduct.
Is there a call for papers?
We do not have a formal CFP and usually directly invite our speakers, however, we do have a submission form for spontaneous submissions.
What is an Unconference Session? In-person ticket
QCon features scheduled Unconference Sessions. These facilitated sessions are designed to bring together groups of individuals to work on a crowd-sourced agenda of topics. These provide valuable opportunities to learn and connect with peers.
How can I learn more about the sponsors at QCon?
All QCon San Francisco tickets include access to our Sponsor Areas. To learn more, you can visit our sponsor’s page.
What Social & Peer Sharing Events does QCon offer? In-person ticket
To help you make connections with the world's most innovative senior software engineers, architects and team leads, we encourage you to participate in our QCon Conference Social, Women & Allies in Tech Lunch, Exhibitor Reception, QCon Reception, Peer sharing in the Unconference sessions and Lunch Discussions Tables & Discussion Cafe. You can read more about them by clicking here.
What are trainings?
Our hands-on trainings are a great way to upskill on the topics that matter most in software development with domain experts.
Training days are being held at the same venue as the conference on Thursday, November 21st and Friday, November 22nd.
You can register your training pass today and pick up your specific trainings later. The full training program will be published by mid-September. In case you change your mind or don't think the offered trainings are a good fit, QCon's Training Refund Guarantee Policy offers a no-questions-asked refund up to and including Monday, September 23, 2024.
If you’d like a participation certificate for the training you attended, please email info@qconsf.com to request one.
Food and Beverage
Will Breakfast, Coffee Breaks & Lunch be Provided ? In-person ticket
A light continental breakfast is provided each morning prior to the scheduled start time of the daily sessions. A buffet lunch will also be provided as well as morning and afternoon refreshment breaks.
If you would like to check our full menu proposal for QCon SF 2024, please click here.
Do you cater to special dietary requirements? In-person ticket
Yes. We cater to many special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. All food will be clearly labeled to show the dietary requirement and ingredients. If you have any dietary requirements outside of the ones mentioned or any questions, you can contact our team at info@qconsf.com. If you require a kosher or Halal lunch, please let us know. All meal requests are due by November 1st, 2024. After this time, we will not be able to accommodate any additional requests.
Misc
Does QCon offer scholarships or free tickets?
We are committed to creating accessible products for software developers from different backgrounds and to representing the present diverse software community more.
QCon offers free tickets for senior developers from underrepresented communities in tech. Developers who meet the requirements can apply for a complimentary diversity ticket.
The deadline to apply for a free diversity ticket has passed. The application form for next year's QCon San Francisco will become available during spring 2025.
Is there a volunteer program at QCon San Francisco?
QCon San Francisco offers a volunteer program for students and young professionals who want to experience an international software development conference in exchange for volunteering and assisting with the tracks during the event.
As a volunteer at QCon, you will get a chance to hear and learn from experts in the field and get access to the conference for free in exchange for volunteer work.
The application form for the volunteer program will become available at the beginning of 2024.
About QCon
What is a QCon software development conference?
QCon is an international software development conference for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
QCon focuses on emerging software trends and innovations in software development and technical leadership with all talks by software domain experts. Our Programming Committee identifies the key trends and creates a curated learning journey by selecting leading software practitioners to deep-dive on each topic.
Sessions are composed of keynotes from world-class practitioners, tech talks with leading authorities, Q&As, and an opportunity to engage with peers to help answer your questions. You’ll gain actionable ideas that you can take back to your team and implement right away.
Why is QCon a conference for practitioners by practitioners?
At QCon, we prefer Engineers over Evangelists, Practitioners over Trainers/Coaches, and Team Leads over Consultants. That is not to say we don't find value on the people on the right, we just prefer those on the left. This simple mantra guides our editorial content. We want to hear from the people who are living with decisions and implementations. This is core to what makes QCon QCon.
Who is QCon for?
QCon is designed for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
What do you mean by "no hidden marketing"?
Outside of the main 12 tracks, QCon will offer additional sponsored tracks. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 12 editorial tracks at QCon. One of the core tenants of QCon is transparency, you will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
Who is behind QCon?
QCon is presented by InfoQ. We’ve been helping software development teams adopt new technologies and practices for over 17 years. The driving force behind every QCon conference is our passion to accelerate the software side of human progress.
Senior software developers rely on QCon and InfoQ to keep ahead of the adoption curve. One of the main reasons senior software engineers, software architects, and team leads tell us they keep coming back to QCon and InfoQ is because they trust the information provided and selected by their peers. Join a global professional engineering community and adopt the right software innovations and practices.
Venue Related
Where will QCon San Francisco be held? In-person ticket
QCon San Francisco will be held at The Hyatt Regency, San Francisco. The hotel is located right on the Embarcadero waterfront with stunning views all around and close to popular attractions, events, and shopping. The conference venue is at the same location as the hotel: Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California, United States, 94111
Are there any special hotel rates for attendees? In-person ticket
QCon Attendees can benefit from a negotiated rate at the conference venue. We have negotiated a rate of $359+ tax for the conference and training nights (November 17- 21). To learn more and reserve your room visit the venue page. Rooms are limited and are based on a first-come-first-served basis.
What accessibility options are available at the venue? In-person ticket
The Hyatt Regency San Francisco website provides accessibility information in the hotel 'accessibility features section' (also found below). Assistance and Guide Dogs are welcome at the venue. Please email info@qconsf.com for any questions.
Accessible Hotel Parking and Transportation
- Valet Parking
- Accessible Transportation with Advance Notice
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Registration Desk
- Restaurants
- Concierge Desk
- Public Entrance
Accessibility for Guest Rooms and Meetings
- Text Telephone TTY
- Closed-Caption or Closed-Captioning Decoders for Guest Room Televisions
- Assistive Listening Devices for Meetings Provided Upon Request
- Accessible Guest Rooms with Mobility Features Have Doorways with 32 in (0.81 m) of Clear Width
Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public Entrance
- Registration Area
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Exercise Facilities
Workshops
What if the training I want to participate in is full? In-person ticket
Trainings have limited capacity and training selection is first come, first serve.
If a training reaches capacity, there is a waiting list you can sign up for. You will be notified if a place becomes available. Meanwhile, you can select another training.
Once selected, can I change my training selection? In-person ticket
After selecting your training(s), if you would like to change your selection, you can do so by logging into your QCon account. You can switch to another training with open seats until Wednesday, November 20th.