Welcome to KubeCon + CloudNativeCon! If you’re attending for the first time, I know exactly how exciting—and yes, a bit overwhelming—it can feel. Last year, I attended my first KubeCon in Chicago through the Dan Kohn Scholarship, and I’m grateful to be back this year, still very much a newbie. After being laid off earlier this August due to workforce reductions, I feel especially appreciative of this opportunity to reconnect, keep learning, and stay immersed in this incredible field. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your time, connect with the community, and dive into everything KubeCon has to offer.

1. Start Preparing Early – Join, Track, and Set Goals

Join CNCF Slack: Joining the CNCF Slack will keep you connected, updated, and informed. It’s a space where real-time announcements, event tips, and even last-minute meetups happen. You can also ask questions and connect with other attendees ahead of time.
Follow #KubeCon & #KubeConNA Hashtags: Track #KubeCon on LinkedIn and Twitter to find session highlights, giveaways, and other opportunities. It’s a great way to get involved, share your thoughts, and discover other attendees to network with.
Set Clear Goals: Define your intentions. With so many tracks to choose from—Security, Platform Engineering, AI + ML, and more—having a focus will help you prioritize your time. Choose 2–3 main interests and build your plan around those to make the most of your experience.

2. Arrive Early for Cloud Native Rejekts (Nov 10-11)

If you’re in town before KubeCon officially begins, check out Cloud Native Rejekts. This free event showcases high-quality talks and projects that didn’t make the main KubeCon agenda but still offer amazing insights. It’s smaller, more relaxed, and a great way to warm up for the week ahead. Plus, it’s a nice opportunity to start meeting fellow attendees in a low-key setting.

3. Explore Key CNCF Projects – Beginner-Friendly Choices

With so many CNCF projects, it can be challenging to know where to start. Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of projects by category to help you dive in:

Kubernetes Tools (Enhance or Extend Kubernetes)

Helm: Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes, making it easier to deploy and manage applications. It’s a fantastic tool for anyone starting in Kubernetes.
cert-manager: This project automates TLS certificate management, essential for securing Kubernetes environments.
Argo: A suite of tools for Kubernetes-native workflows, especially helpful for CI/CD. Argo Workflows is a great introduction to automation within Kubernetes.
Flux: This GitOps tool automates application deployment based on Git repository changes. It’s accessible for those interested in DevOps and CI/CD.

Security & Policy Tools

Falco: A runtime security tool that monitors for suspicious activity in Kubernetes. It’s ideal for beginners exploring DevSecOps and cloud-native security.
Kyverno: This policy engine helps enforce security rules without complex coding, making it a great starting point for Kubernetes security.
Kubescape: A security tool focused on compliance, designed to make security checks easy to run on Kubernetes clusters.

Development & CI/CD Tools

Backstage: This developer portal centralizes workflows, making it a perfect intro for anyone interested in improving developer experience.
Buildpacks: Converts source code into containerized applications. For beginners in containerization, Buildpacks demystifies packaging and deploying applications.
Jaeger: An observability tool that provides tracing across services, making it easier to monitor and troubleshoot cloud-native applications.

Networking & Service Mesh

Envoy: A high-performance proxy to manage traffic between services. It’s a practical project if you’re curious about how services communicate within a Kubernetes cluster.
Linkerd: A lightweight service mesh that secures and manages microservices, providing an accessible entry point to service mesh basics.

Infrastructure & Multi-Cloud Management

Crossplane: A tool for managing cloud infrastructure as code, perfect for beginners exploring multi-cloud environments.
Open Cluster Management: Simplifies the management of multiple clusters, making it ideal for anyone scaling cloud-native applications across clusters.

Observability & Monitoring

Fluentd & Fluent Bit: These tools collect and aggregate logs, which are essential for observability in Kubernetes. They’re a go-to for learning about logging and monitoring.
Pixie: This beginner-friendly observability tool offers real-time visibility into Kubernetes without setup, making it ideal for those interested in debugging.

Each of these projects has a welcoming community and strong documentation, so if one stands out to you, dive in!

4. Attend Tuesday’s Co-located Events for Hands-On Learning

The co-located events are packed with focused sessions and hands-on learning. Here are some beginner-friendly ones to check out:

Cloud Native University: An event covering cloud-native basics, designed specifically with beginners in mind.
BackstageCon: Focused on Backstage, a developer portal. It’s a good fit if you’re interested in developer experience and infrastructure management.
Cloud Native AI Day: Offers insights into AI and Kubernetes, perfect for anyone curious about how AI integrates with cloud-native technologies.
AppDeveloperCon: A must for those new to cloud-native application development, giving you a firsthand look into development in Kubernetes.

Sponsor-Led Hands-On Sessions:

Kong AI Gateway & Insomnia Workshop: I’ll be at this session, which covers AI-powered applications, API management, and security. It’s a great hands-on experience.
OpenShift Commons Gathering (Red Hat): A free event covering OpenShift basics and the cloud-native ecosystem.
Google Container Day: Focused on containers and Google Cloud, a solid pick for beginners in container management.
AWS Immersion Day: This virtual session offers a beginner-friendly intro to securing infrastructure as code (IaC).

These sessions often aren’t recorded, so if you’re interested, try to attend in person to get the most out of the experience.

5. Embrace DEI and Accessibility Events for Inclusive Networking

KubeCon is committed to fostering inclusivity. Here are some key DEI events that are perfect for networking and learning:

DEI Community Hub: A dedicated space for connecting and discussing DEI efforts in the cloud-native space.
EmpowerUs Breakfast (Nov 13): An open breakfast for women, non-binary folks, and allies, focused on leadership and empowerment in tech.
DEI Lunch + Workshop (Nov 14): A lunch event with a workshop on creating inclusivity in the tech community.

6. Cloud Native Wellness & Sign Language Crash Course

Staying well during KubeCon is essential, and there are plenty of wellness activities to help you recharge:

Pet-a-Pup Therapy Sessions: Need a quick mood boost? Spend some time with therapy dogs!
Zen Zone, Chair Massages, and Oxygen Bar: Perfect for a quick de-stress and recharge between sessions.
Self-Led Morning Run: A nice way to start the day, meet like-minded attendees, and get energized.

For inclusivity, KubeCon is also hosting a Sign Language Crash Course on November 14, from 5:00-6:00 pm MST in the DEI Community Hub. Led by the CNCF Deaf & Hard of Hearing Working Group, this session will teach you some sign language basics, including cloud-native terms, to help foster a more inclusive environment for everyone.

7. Don’t Miss Networking Opportunities & Capture the Flag (CTF)

KubeCrawl + CloudNativeFest (Nov 13): A themed networking event with snacks, drinks, entertainment, and a cozy lodge-like atmosphere to connect with other attendees. It’s a fun and relaxed way to build connections.
Project Pavilion Daily Tours: These guided tours give you a chance to meet CNCF project maintainers, learn about different initiatives, and connect directly with community leaders.
Capture the Flag (CTF): Try the intro workshop on Nov 13, then test your skills in the full CTF on Nov 14. This hands-on challenge offers a fun way to learn cloud-native security concepts.

Networking can be intimidating, but the cloud-native community is super welcoming. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself, ask questions, and connect!

8. Plan for Content Overload – Recordings and Prioritizing

Session Recordings: If you miss a session, don’t stress! Most sessions are recorded and uploaded to CNCF’s YouTube Channel afterward, so you can catch up.
Prioritize & Take Breaks: Focus on the sessions that align with your goals, but make sure to take breaks in between. The Project Pavilion and relaxation zones are great spots to unwind.

9. How to Find Book Signings

Meeting thought leaders and getting signed copies of their books is a great way to enhance your KubeCon experience. Here’s how to find book signings:

Check Social Media: Use keywords like “book signing KubeCon” on LinkedIn and Twitter. Sometimes authors announce signing events there, and CNCF Slack can also have updates.
Visit Sponsor Booths: Some sponsors host book signings at their booths, so drop by and ask for their signing schedule.
Look for Authors in the Schedule: If an author is a speaker, check to see if they’re hosting a signing or Q&A after their session.

10. Conference Parties – Socialize and Unwind

Check out conferenceparties.com/kubecon24 to find after-hours events and parties happening during KubeCon. These gatherings are an amazing opportunity to connect with people in a casual setting, build relationships, and enjoy the social side of KubeCon. Don’t miss out on these events, as they’re often where the best networking happens!

Wrapping Up: Make the Most of Your KubeCon Experience

KubeCon + CloudNativeCon is so much more than just sessions and talks—it’s a vibrant community, a place to connect with people who share your interests, and a chance to explore the latest in cloud-native tech. Whether you’re here to learn, network, or simply experience the event, focus on what excites you and don’t stress about trying to see it all. Take it at your own pace, connect with others, and make time to enjoy the wellness and DEI spaces.

Embrace every moment, learn something new, and most importantly, have fun! Here’s to an incredible KubeCon experience that leaves you inspired, connected, and ready to take your cloud-native journey to the next level.

Navigating KubeCon + CloudNativeCon NA: A First-Timer's Ultimate Guide

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