I’ll be honest – CloudFest 2025 wasn’t a perfect experience for me. There were some great moments, interesting meetings, and valuable experiences, especially for a first-timer like me.
Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe this type of event just isn’t my thing.
Either way, here’s my honest take on what I liked, what I didn’t, and what I took away from the event.
What is CloudFest?
CloudFest is a tech conference that blends talks, networking opportunities, and social events (like actual fest), all set in a small town known for its massive roller coasters. It’s a mix of business, technology, and fun, where professionals from the hosting, cloud, and web industries gather to share ideas and build connections.
Pre-Event Preparation
Whenever I attend something new, I like to be well-prepared. I made a list of talks I was interested in, people I wanted to meet, and key questions I hoped to discuss.
For me, traveling from Ukraine to any event takes up to three days, so if I decide to go, it has to be worth it. 😃
Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking when I booked a bus for this trip – it was so long. I hope I never have to do that again!
I planned to attend for only three out of the four days, unsure if I could handle the full schedule.
Key Takeaways
- A throwback to my student days. The conference atmosphere reminded me of when I used to attend similar events more frequently.
- I work best when fully immersed in one project. Meeting some people at CloudFest made me realize that juggling multiple projects isn’t my ideal way of working. I need to go all in to be truly effective.
- One thing that disappointed me was how overhyped topics were squeezed into very short talks. Even the interesting ones felt rushed and barely explored.
- I attended about half of the talks, as I also had pre-planned meetings with some new and existing partners. It was great to meet people in person! However, I didn’t interact much with the broader WordPress community, as most of them were engaged in the Hackathon.
- At some point, I realized I was taking everything too seriously. Events like this aren’t just about learning – they’re also about relaxing, meeting like-minded people, and making connections.
- I struggle with small talk. I expected a more structured and serious event, which made casual networking a bit difficult for me.
- There was also a moment when I looked around and thought – at Crocoblock, we’re doing so much cool stuff! It made me feel proud of my team and the work we’re doing.
At some point, I started wondering – was the long journey, especially for those coming from the U.S., really worth it just for this experience? I couldn’t couldn’t stop wondering the question: Why are people really here?
Having Fun
After two days, I finally accepted that I needed a break too. So, I hopped on some roller coasters, explored the event venue, and even managed to explore Frankfurt a little bit on my way back. Beautiful city for sure!
Final Thoughts
CloudFest 2025 was an interesting experience – just not what I initially expected. I’m still not sure why. Maybe it was the long trip, the huge crowd, or the fact that I expected it to be more WordPress-focused as I liked WordCamp Europe so much.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely, the CloudFest team put in great effort to create an amazing experience – but it’s important to set your goals first and make sure they align with what the event truly offers: networking, having fun, meeting partners, and yes, enjoying some roller coasters. 🎢
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