Tech
DevFest 2023 Ranchi: Review and Lessons Learned
DevFest, the annual developer festival organized by Google Developer Groups (GDGs), is a highly anticipated event in the tech community. It’s meant to be a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and learning. However, DevFest 2023 Ranchi fell short of expectations, serving as a stark reminder of how poor planning and execution can undermine even the most well-intentioned events. This review aims to provide a detailed, constructive critique of the event, highlighting its shortcomings and offering actionable suggestions for improvement.
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The Registration Process: A Masterclass in Inefficiency
Let’s start with the registration process, which was nothing short of a disaster. The registration process is the first point of contact between attendees and the event, and it sets the tone for the entire experience. Unfortunately, DevFest 2023 Ranchi’s registration process was a masterclass in inefficiency. Here’s how it unfolded:
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Excel Sheets for Ticket Verification: In 2023, when we have tools like QR codes, barcode scanners, and event management software, the organizers decided to use an Excel sheet to verify tickets. To make matters worse, the volunteers tasked with this job seemed to have no idea how to use Excel. Watching them manually search for names in a spreadsheet was like watching someone try to dig a well with a spoon—painfully slow and utterly unnecessary.
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No Handbadges: Handbadges are a basic requirement for any event. They help identify attendees, speakers, and organizers. At DevFest 2023 Ranchi, however, handbadges were as rare as a bug-free codebase. This lack of basic organization made the event feel more like a chaotic college fest than a professional tech conference.
The Speakers: When Peacocking Replaces Knowledge
The quality of speakers at a tech event can make or break it. Sadly, DevFest 2023 Ranchi leaned heavily toward the latter. Here’s why:
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Lack of Technical Depth: Many speakers seemed unprepared and out of their depth. Instead of diving into technical topics, some spent their time delivering generic, motivational speeches that felt more like a TED Talk reject than a tech session. One speaker even spent a significant portion of their time teaching attendees how to “peacock” (show off) rather than sharing actionable insights. If I wanted a lesson in self-promotion, I’d have attended a personal branding workshop, not a tech event.
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Missed Opportunities: The event’s theme was centered around emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. Yet, most sessions barely scratched the surface. There were no live coding demonstrations, no hands-on workshops, and no Q&A sessions to engage the audience. It felt like the organizers forgot that the primary purpose of a tech event is to educate.
Suggestions for Improvement:
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Curate Speaker Lineups Carefully: Organizers should prioritize inviting experienced professionals with a proven track record in their respective fields. Speakers should be vetted to ensure they can deliver high-quality, technical content.
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Incorporate Interactive Elements: Live coding sessions, workshops, and Q&A segments can make the event more engaging and valuable for attendees. These elements encourage active participation and foster a deeper understanding of the topics being discussed.
The Management: A Case Study in Chaos
Event management is the backbone of any successful conference, and unfortunately, DevFest 2023 Ranchi’s management was lacking in several key areas. If the speakers were disappointing, the event management was downright catastrophic. Here’s a breakdown of the issues:
1. No Drinking Water
- Imagine hosting an all-day event and forgetting to provide drinking water. Yes, that happened. Attendees were left scrambling to find water bottles, which were either unavailable or insufficient. It’s 2023—basic amenities like water should be a given, not a luxury.
2. Poor Seating Arrangements
- The seating arrangements were inadequate, with many attendees forced to stand or sit on the floor. The venue itself was poorly ventilated, making it uncomfortable for everyone. If the goal was to recreate the experience of a crowded Mumbai local train, mission accomplished.
3. Untrained Volunteers
- The student volunteers, while enthusiastic, were clearly untrained and unprepared. Their inability to handle basic tasks like crowd management and ticket verification added to the chaos. It felt like the organizers had handed them a script written in an alien language and said, “Figure it out.”
Suggestions for Improvement:
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Plan for Basic Amenities: Providing drinking water, adequate seating, and proper ventilation should be a top priority. These are basic necessities that can significantly impact the attendee experience.
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Train Volunteers Thoroughly: Volunteers should be trained well in advance and provided with clear instructions on their roles and responsibilities. This will ensure that they can handle their tasks efficiently and contribute to a smooth event.
The Food Situation: A Culinary Catastrophe
Food is an essential part of any all-day event. Unfortunately, DevFest 2023 Ranchi treated it as an afterthought. Here’s what went wrong:
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No Proper Food Arrangements: Despite the event running from morning till evening, there were no proper food arrangements. Attendees were left to fend for themselves, with no information about nearby eateries or food stalls. For out-of-town participants, this was especially frustrating.
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Subpar Snacks: The few snacks that were available were of questionable quality. It felt like the organizers had raided the nearest convenience store 10 minutes before the event started.
Suggestions for Improvement:
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Ensure Ample and Diverse Food Options: Organizers must prioritize providing adequate food options that cater to a variety of preferences and dietary needs. Partnering with professional caterers or local vendors who specialize in event services can ensure seamless food delivery. Setting up multiple food counters to prevent long queues, along with clearly labeled vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian choices, would make a significant difference. Additionally, providing attendees with a guide to nearby eateries or food delivery options ensures everyone has access to meals if on-site provisions fall short.
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Focus on Food Quality and Accessibility: High-quality, hygienic food and snacks should never be an afterthought. Ensuring freshly prepared meals with attention to taste and presentation will leave a lasting positive impression. Organizers should also account for adequate portions to serve all attendees, avoiding scenarios where some go hungry due to shortages. Regular breaks in the schedule for meals and snacks, coupled with comfortable dining areas, would make the event experience more enjoyable.
If Google and BIT Mesra are truly constrained by budgetary issues to the extent that they cannot ensure proper food arrangements for attendees, let us be clear—we’d gladly pool resources and sponsor the food ourselves. It’s disheartening to see a globally recognized brand like Google and an esteemed institution like BIT Mesra struggle with something as fundamental as providing basic meals and refreshments at an event of this scale. Food is not just a “nice-to-have” at an all-day conference; it is a necessity. Ensuring attendees are well-fed is key to keeping them energized, engaged, and satisfied.
We, as a community, believe in fostering collaboration and growth. If budgetary limitations are the root cause, the tech community, including passionate developers and local businesses, would be more than willing to step in and bridge the gap. After all, the success of DevFest reflects the collective efforts of everyone involved—not just the organizers. So, if providing quality food requires additional support, consider this an open offer: let us help you make it happen. Good food leads to happy attendees, and happy attendees are what make a great event truly unforgettable.
The Silver Linings: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the many shortcomings, there were a few bright spots that managed to salvage some value from the chaos. Let’s break them down:
1. Networking Opportunities
One undeniable highlight of DevFest 2023 Ranchi was the opportunity to connect with other tech enthusiasts. Ranchi’s tech community is surprisingly vibrant, with passionate developers, eager students, and curious minds coming together under one roof. Conversations ranged from exchanging ideas to brainstorming collaborations, which made the event worthwhile for those genuinely interested in tech.
But let’s be honest—not everyone was there for the right reasons. Some people seemed more interested in showing off than learning or connecting. A chunk of attendees treated the event as a casual hangout rather than a professional gathering. Whether they were peacocking, clicking selfies, or using the event as an excuse for a day out with their girlfriends or friends, their disinterest was apparent. While the serious attendees pushed through, it was hard not to notice the crowd that was just there to kill time.
2. Swag and Goodies (Or the Lack Thereof)
Swags are like the cherry on top of any developer event—they make attendees feel appreciated while serving as fun mementos. But at DevFest 2023 Ranchi? The swag situation was almost non-existent.
The only thing handed out was a single sticker from “Orkes”—a Netflix-related company, apparently. To make things worse, students had to line up just to grab this one measly sticker. It was like waiting in a queue for concert tickets, except instead of excitement, there was only confusion and frustration.
Compare this to other developer fests where attendees receive cool T-shirts, water bottles, or kits filled with stickers and goodies. It felt like the organizers either forgot about the swag or didn’t care enough to provide it. And honestly, it’s hard to believe that an event backed by Google and BIT Mesra couldn’t manage even the bare minimum. Swag isn’t just about freebies—it’s about creating a memorable experience, and this was a major letdown.
3. A Few Good Sessions
While the majority of the sessions were underwhelming, a couple of talks stood out for actually providing value. Toward the end of the event, there was an engaging session on web development where the speakers shared practical tips and tools that attendees could immediately apply to their projects. Another session focused on the ethical implications of AI, which led to some genuinely thought-provoking discussions.
That being said, the overall quality of sessions left a lot to be desired. Most of the speakers either lacked the technical expertise or simply didn’t prepare enough. Some talks were so generic that they felt more like motivational speeches than anything tech-related. And then there were moments that were downright cringe-worthy—like one speaker who spent their time teaching attendees how to “peacock” and making awkward comments about the girls in the audience.
Seriously, is this what DevFest is supposed to be about? The event was supposed to be a celebration of technology, not an ego-boosting platform for unprepared speakers.
Constructive Feedback: How to Fix DevFest 2024
While DevFest 2023 Ranchi was a disappointment, it’s not too late to turn things around. Here’s what the organizers need to do to ensure DevFest 2024 is a success:
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Invest in Proper Planning
- A well-organized event starts with proper planning. The organizers need to create a detailed timeline, train their volunteers, and ensure all logistics are in place well before the event.
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Focus on Quality Speakers
- The success of a tech event hinges on the quality of its speakers. Future events should focus on inviting experienced professionals who can deliver insightful and engaging sessions.
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Provide Basic Amenities
- Basic amenities like drinking water, seating, and food should never be an afterthought. Attendees deserve a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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Engage the Audience
- Hands-on workshops, live coding sessions, and interactive Q&A segments can make the event more engaging and valuable for attendees.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
DevFest 2023 Ranchi was, unfortunately, a missed opportunity. While the event had its moments, the overall experience was marred by poor management, lackluster speakers, and inadequate facilities. However, every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. I hope the organizers take this feedback constructively and work towards making DevFest 2024 a truly memorable event.
After all, the goal of DevFest is to inspire, educate, and bring people together—something that can only be achieved with careful planning and execution. Here’s hoping for a better DevFest experience next year! 🚀
