Why now? What changed after all these years?
People keep asking, “Why now? What changed after all these years?” Honestly, it’s all the regular stuff—distance, timing, money. You know how it goes. Going to a conference sounds easy, but you have to juggle travel, time off work, budgets, deadlines, and a mountain of projects waiting for you when you get back... so every year, I’d kick it down the road again.
Not this time. I’ve finally had enough of my own excuses. It’s About More Than the Talks (But I’m Excited for Those Too). I won’t lie, the sessions are a big reason I want to go. Codegarden has all the latest features, updates, and future plans for Umbraco. Even after all these years, I still want to know what’s next.
But honestly, that’s not even the real reason. What I’m actually most excited for is just meeting other developers and seeing what they’re up to. It’s easy, after years working in the same space, to only see your own way of doing things. You get stuck in your own habits, tools, workflows. You start thinking, “This is just how it’s done”. Then you actually talk to people.
I’m looking forward to those random conversations between sessions—the tips you won’t find in documentation, the little hacks and packages people have built, or just realizing everyone runs into the same headaches you do. That kind of sharing is, honestly, just as valuable as any official keynote.
Putting Faces to Names: The Umbraco Community
If you’ve spent much time with Umbraco, you know the community isn’t just some vague online thing; it’s the heart of everything. Most of the time, though, your contact is all virtual—GitHub, Discord, blog posts, LinkedIn debates, that one package maintainer who answers your frantic questions on some thread. There’s so much energy, but it feels a bit distant.
That’s why Codegarden is such a big deal for me. I finally get to meet the people behind those blog posts, the faces behind the tools I’ve relied on for years, maybe even the hero who saved a deadline for me at midnight on Stack Overflow.
I mean, sure, it’s a little nerdy. But hey, we’re all developers going to a CMS conference in Copenhagen. Embracing your inner nerd is part of the job. People talk about “networking” like it’s some corporate thing, but from what I hear, Codegarden is a lot more about swapping ideas, trading stories, and just hanging out with others who love building stuff. Honestly, I can’t wait.
Stepping Out of My Own Bubble. After ten+ years with Umbraco, I know my way around. That’s great most days, but it can make you a little too comfortable. I know what works for me. I know my go-to tools. The problem is, that comfort zone can make you miss out on new ideas and smarter workflows. A conference is the perfect antidote.
You hear fresh perspectives, see what others are building, and stumble onto things you never would’ve Googled on your own. Sometimes you come back with a whole new approach. Sometimes it’s a tiny shortcut that suddenly saves you hours.
I figure this trip will have a bit of both. And Yeah, I Want to See the Vibe Too. On top of all the learning and technical deep-dives, I’m genuinely curious about what it feels like to actually be at Codegarden. Everyone I talk to says the same thing: “You have to be there. The energy is different.” That just amps up my FOMO.
But that’s what draws me in—the sense of community, the chance to meet people from everywhere, the conversations that keep going long after the last session ends. That’s what makes being there so appealing. And come on—Copenhagen? That’s not a bad bonus.
Here’s to My First Codegarden!
So yeah, 2026 is finally my year. After all those years of working with Umbraco, making excuses, and telling myself “maybe next year,” I’m just doing it. I want fresh ideas, smart conversations, technical inspiration, good energy from the community, and probably a few moments where I’ll wonder, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” If you’re like me and keep thinking, “I should really get to Codegarden one of these days” Maybe this is your sign.
Hope to bump into you in Copenhagen!
#H5YR!