An Event Apart

My trip to California went well. It was bookended with a few days in San Diego on either end. I relished the opportunity to hang with family and soak up the sunshine.

In the middle was my outing to San Francisco for An Event Apart. There were some great talks: Krystal talking about onboarding, Miriam blowing my mind with cascade layers, Eric diving deep into the :has() selector, and David closing out the show with a superb call to arms.

I gave my talk on declarative design at the very start of the event, just the way I like it. I was able to relax and enjoy all the other talks without having mine on my mind.

The talk went down well. I thought maybe I might have the chance to repeat it at another An Event Apart sometime in 2023.

But that won���t happen. An Event Apart has closed its doors:

Seventeen years ago, in December 2005, we held our first conference in Philadelphia. The event we just held in San Francisco was our last.

Whenever I was invited to speak at An Event Apart, I always responded in the affirmative and always said it was an honour to be asked. I meant it every time.

It wasn���t just me. Ask anyone who���s spoken at An Event Apart. They���ll all tell you the same thing. It was an honour. It was also a bit intimidating. There was a definite feeling that you had to bring your A game. And so, everyone did. Of course that just contributed to the event���s reputation which only reinforced the pressure to deliver a top-notch presentation.

I���m really going to miss An Event Apart. I mean, I get why all good things must come to an end (see also: dConstruct), but it feels like the end of an era.

My first time speaking at An Event Apart was in 2007. My last time was in San Francisco this month.

Thank you, Eric, Jeffrey, Toby, Marci, and the entire An Event Apart crew. It has been my privilege to play a small part in your story.

2007ChicagoBe Pure. Be Vigilant. Behave2008San FranciscoPattern In The Process2009BostonFuture Shock Treatment2010Seattle, Boston, Minneapolis, Washington DC, San DiegoParanormal Interactivity2011Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Washington DC, San FranciscoDesign Principles2012AustinThe Spirit Of The Web2013Atlanta, Washington DC, Chicago, Austin, San FranciscoThe Long Web2014Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, Orlando, San FranciscoEnhance!2015Seattle, Austin, San FranciscoResilience2016Seattle, Boston, Orlando, San FranciscoResilience, Evaluating Technology2017Seattle, DenverEvaluating Technology2018Seattle, BostonThe Way Of The Web2019Seattle, Chicago, San FranciscoGoing Offline2020OnlineDesign Principles For The Web2021OnlineThe State Of The Web2022Online, San FranciscoIn And Out Of StyleDeclarative Design