Hello everyone!

This month I had a very special experience: I participated as a speaker at React Miami 2025, an event that wasn't just a technical opportunity, but also a moment to step out of my comfort zone. In this post, I want to share how it went from application to stage — with nerves, learnings, and moments that I'll treasure for a long time.

It All Started with an Application

After giving a talk at AWS Community Day Argentina, I saw that the Call for Speakers was opened for an event called React Miami. I wanted to try something different, so I submitted a talk about a stack I had been using recently: React + Serverless + Terraform.

At work, I had been building solutions that automate infrastructure with Terraform, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to share how this can help frontend teams focus on creating amazing experiences for users, without having to worry about the infrastructure part.

A few months later, I received an email from Michelle Bakels: my talk had been accepted! The mix of nerves and excitement I felt at that moment was incredible.

Day Before the Event: Equipment Check and First Connections

The event was held at the Hyatt Regency. The day before the event, Wednesday, April 16th, we did the speaker test check — a session to test our equipment, adapters, slides, and make sure everything was ready for the stage. While other speakers were doing their tests, a relaxed atmosphere developed where we could meet and exchange experiences.

That's where I met Aileen Villanueva, also a speaker. I had written to her before the event after seeing her name on the agenda, and that's when we discovered that we had already coincided at events like Google Community Nation and Google I/O, although we had never spoken. It was really nice to meet in person at React Miami. (Spoiler: Her talk was fantastic!).

These preliminary moments were key to helping me feel more confident. There's something very special about connecting with other people who share the same nervousness and excitement.

A Message That Marked the Beginning

The first official day of the event, Thursday, April 17th, opened with an important message about something that isn't always mentioned in these types of spaces: mental health in technology.

Gabe Greenberg, CEO of G2i, presented Developer Health, an initiative focused on emotional well-being for people working in software development. It was refreshing to hear from the start that we are more than just code, and that it's okay to talk about how we feel.

This initiative particularly resonated with me. Seeing an event of this caliber prioritize emotional well-being seemed like an important step for our industry. The organization that Gabe formed with G2i is creating a necessary space where we can talk about code and also about how we feel while writing it. I hope more events incorporate this approach.

Throughout the day, there were many interesting talks on different topics, and I found a lot of value in the presentations. Check out the G2i YouTube channel so you can see them for yourselves.

Swag, Community, and Many Conversations

The opening day was also when I got to explore the booths. I learned about new tools, talked with various teams, and of course, got some nice swag for the community 😄

At the speakers and sponsors meetup, I met Samhitha Rama Prasad, who mentioned that this was her first time as a speaker. I was really happy to hear that because she did a great job. Kudos to her!

This networking between talks and events was one of the most enriching parts. There's as much learning in informal conversations as there is in official presentations.

The 5K Run... That Inspired Me Anyway

On the morning of Friday, April 18th, a 5K run was organized to start the day with energy. I couldn't attend due to insomnia the night before 🙈, but I loved the idea. It would be great to do something like this in the city where I am now, as a way to combine community, technology, and movement. I'm keeping this idea for later.

My Talk

That same Friday the 18th, at 10:05 a.m., I gave my talk: "React, Serverless, Terraform: The Dream Team for Fullstack Wizards". Although I had given other talks before, this was my first time giving a technical talk in English, which made the preparation more intense.

Since I didn't want to risk technical problems, I decided to record the demo on video. It was a calm decision that allowed me to focus on the message.

I started out quite nervous, but decided to break the ice with some jokes to connect with the audience. I heard some laughter (or at least that's what it seemed like from the stage!), which helped me relax a bit. As the presentation progressed, I felt it flowing better. With the stage lights, it was difficult to see the audience clearly, but the talk moved forward, and I was able to share everything I had prepared.

When it finished, I felt great relief and satisfaction. Giving a technical talk in another language was quite a challenge, but it was also an enriching experience that helped me grow both professionally and personally. Seeing that I could communicate complex ideas in English and hold the audience's attention confirmed that stepping out of your comfort zone is truly worth it.

If you want to see the presentation and more, they're here:
👉 codeanding.com/react-serverless-terraform-the-dream-team-for-fullstack-wizards

What I Liked About the Content

One of the things I enjoyed most was seeing how other speakers approach topics that I use daily. I was particularly struck by:

The use of Zustand to manage state in a clear and simple way, without unnecessary complications. I found it especially interesting because I've seen Zustand implemented in production projects, and confirming its benefits in the presentations gave me ideas to optimize how we're currently using it.
The practical explanations about React 19 updates, which left me with ideas to apply in my next projects.

If you want to see the talks, they'll be uploaded soon to the G2i channel:
📺 youtube.com/@g2i_co
And the complete schedule is here:
🗓 reactmiami.com/schedule

The Miami Experience

Something I didn't expect was how good I felt in Miami (the weather was very similar to Lima 🇵🇪 in summer). The city has a special vibe, relaxed but energetic at the same time. I loved finding so much Latino community – hearing Spanish in the streets made me feel a little closer to home.

Between event sessions, I was able to walk along the waterfront and see the impressive yachts in the bay. One of my favorite moments was trying a Cuban cafecito at a small local cafe – that shot of sweet, strong coffee was the perfect boost to keep going with energy.

The kindness of the people was notable, from the hotel staff to the event attendees. That warm atmosphere definitely contributed to making the experience even more special.

Some Tips If You're Thinking of Applying

If you're considering applying to an international event or one in another language, here's what helped me:

Do it even if you're afraid. The worst that can happen is that you don't get selected... and even then, you'll have already learned a lot.
Record your demo if you can. It gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on speaking clearly.
It's okay if you don't sleep perfectly. Sometimes nerves win, but what's important is to be present when the moment arrives.
Connect with the community. It's easier than it seems, and you form beautiful connections.
Use humor to break the ice. A small joke can help you connect with the audience and relax.

What's Next?

Tickets are already available for the 2026 edition:
🎟 tickets.joinshowup.io/event/react-miami-2026-oloikn

If you have the opportunity to attend or apply, do it! You never know what might happen when you dare to step out of your comfort zone.

For me, this experience has been a turning point. Now I feel ready to continue applying to more international Call for Papers in English. I discovered that language is not as big a barrier as I imagined, and that sharing knowledge in global communities is a tremendously enriching experience.

Thanks for reading this far :)
Let's keep coding and learning together 💻🌴

From 'Hola' to 'Hello': My React Miami Adventure