Frequently Asked Questions
At the conference
How do I collect my badge for QCon? In-person ticket
Badge pick-up will start at 7:15 a.m. on Monday, and at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Please arrive well in advance of the keynote. While we do our best to minimize the lines, there may still be some wait times. Attendees can enjoy a light continental breakfast before the first session.
A photo ID and proof of COVID-19 vaccination/recovery/test results are required in order to pick up your badge.
Attendees may only pick up their own badges.
How can I get help during the event? Video-Only Pass In-person ticket
If you need any support during the event, you can use the chatbot in the right corner of the QCon London website or email us at info [at] qconlondon.com and a staff member will be happy to help you.
What is the QCon online ticket? Video-Only Pass
The Online ticket (on-demand access) allows you to watch pre-recorded sessions released in real-time and work the event around your schedule:
Starting with the Keynote session at 9 am (BST), you can log in to your account each day to access tracks and gain access to the pre-recorded sessions as they are published in real-time, parallel to the in-person event.
Viewing time for all the technical content is around 60+ hours - you will be able to watch all these sessions at your own pace. Videos will remain available for 3 months.
What does the Online ticket (on-demand access) include? Video-Only Pass
In addition to pre-recorded technical talks, the conference offers peer-sharing opportunities via our Slack workspace. Share ideas with fellow attendees, ask speakers questions and share your thoughts and insights between talks or async.
The online ticket includes exclusive access to 3 virtual unconference sessions offered for group problem-solving during the conference week.
What live sessions are available for online ticket holders? Video-Only Pass
The online ticket includes exclusive access to 3 live virtual unconference sessions offered for group problem-solving during the week of the conference.
When will sessions be available for online ticket holders? Video-Only Pass
Starting with the Keynote session at 9 am (BST), you can log in to your account each day to access most tracks and gain access to the pre-recorded sessions as they are published in real-time, parallel to the in-person event.
How long will I have access to the pre-recorded talks?
Videos will remain available for 3 months after the conference.
Most talks will be available on-demand so you'll be able to catch up on the sessions you missed. Viewing time for all the technical content is around 60+ hours - all these sessions you will be able to watch at your own pace.
How do I ask speakers questions? Video-Only Pass
There are a couple of different ways to ask our speakers questions.
Slack. During the conference, QCon London online and in-person ticket holders will share a dedicated event Slack workplace. You can raise questions for speakers and other attendees in public channels during the conference week.
Email. After the conference, you can email speaking [at] qconlondon.com for up to three months to raise questions. The QCon team will try and have an answer to questions within two weeks of the initial sending date.
We moderate all questions and follow a strict code of conduct for our events.
Will QCon London be available as a live stream for online ticket holders? Video-Only Pass
QCon London offers pre-recorded sessions in lieu of live-streaming sessions.
The Online ticket (on-demand access) includes exclusive access to 3 virtual unconference sessions offered for group problem-solving during the conference week, as well as access to the Slack workspace during the conference.
Do I need to be on camera for the live online sessions? Video-Only Pass
The QCon London on-demand ticket offers 3 live virtual unconference sessions for group problem-solving during the conference week. There is no need to be on camera during these sessions. However, you may find being on camera can help connect with your peers during these sessions.
How can I learn more about the sponsors at QCon? Video-Only Pass In-person ticket
All QCon London on-demand tickets include access to our Sponsor Areas. To learn more, you can visit our sponsor’s page.
Do I need to opt-in for the live sessions I want to attend? Video-Only Pass
Once registered, you will get access to the sessions included in your ticket according to ticket type. You can access these sessions from the schedule page.
How do online attendees get access to the sessions? Does the QCon London on-demand ticket use a Virtual Event Platform? Video-Only Pass
All you have to do is log into your QCon London Online ticket (on-demand access) account using the password you will be provided upon registration. All participants should have received an email with their login details. If you can’t find that email, check your spam folder. Alternatively, you can reset your password.
We recommend using the latest versions of web browsers like Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Edge (Chromium). These browsers entirely support the new audio-video technology.
How should I prepare before the event? Video-Only Pass
To help prepare for QCon London Online ticket (on-demand access) we recommend the following:
- Verify you can log into your QCon London account to be able to access the event online
- Download the latest version of Zoom (for the Unconference Sessions)
- Look out for an email inviting you to the event Slack Community where you can connect with your peers. The invitations are sent from feedback [at] slack.com
- Familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive, harassment-free experience for everyone
Recommended for a better QCon London experience:
- Read the presentation abstracts and build your Custom Schedule
- Think about the questions you’d like to ask the speakers and your peers
- Use the hashtag #QConLondon to connect with other participants via social media
What are the technical requirements to be able to access on-demand content? Video-Only Pass
- A desktop computer or laptop. Other mobile devices, like smartphones or tablets, are not supported.
- A fast and reliable internet connection.
- The latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge browser. Apple Safari is not supported. We strongly recommend choosing Google Chrome as this browser is the most advanced in terms of integrating with the WebRTC technology the video player is based on.
If you are having issues:
- Make sure your setup is compatible with the above requirements.
- Check your internet connection quality.
- It is important to disconnect from any VPN servers you might be using and ensure your firewall is configured properly. If connecting from a corporate network, make sure to forward the Firewall configuration to your IT department.
- Try disabling your browser’s ad/cookie blocker.
- If the problem persists, try using a different browser. If that helps, it means the original browser is causing the problem. Try clearing its cache and cookies to fix the problem.
- Try using a different internet connection (ex: mobile hotspot). If that helps, it means your original internet connection is causing the issues (potentially the VPN setup).
If I have trouble connecting, what troubleshooting do you recommend? Video-Only Pass
- A desktop computer or laptop. Other mobile devices, like smartphones or tablets, are not supported.
- A fast and reliable internet connection.
- The latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge browser. Apple Safari is not supported. We strongly recommend choosing Google Chrome as this browser is the most advanced in terms of integrating with the WebRTC technology the video player is based on.
If you are having issues:
- Make sure your setup is compatible with the above requirements.
- Sometimes, it might take a moment before the room loads. If you are stuck on the loading screen, try refreshing the page (CTRL+F5 on Windows or Command+R on Mac).
- Check your internet speed/quality and system: https://utilities.clickmeeting.com/connection-tester
- It is important to disconnect from any VPN servers you might be using and ensure your firewall is configured properly. If connecting from a corporate network, make sure to forward the Firewall configuration to your IT department.
- Try disabling your browser’s ad/cookie blocker.
- If the problem persists, try using a different browser. If that helps, it means the original browser is causing the problem. Try clearing its cache and cookies to fix the problem.
- Try using a different internet connection (ex: mobile hotspot). If that helps, it means your original internet connection is causing the issues (potentially the VPN setup).
Useful links:
- Firewall configuration: https://knowledge.clickmeeting.com/privacy-security/optimal-firewall-configuration/
- Clickmeeting server list: https://clickmeeting.com/firewall-configuration
- Clearing cache and cookies (Chrome): https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32050
Update Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414
How do I enable closed captioning whilst watching the pre-recorded videos? Video-Only Pass
While we won't provide live closed captioning, this feature can be enabled in Google Chrome and will work for the presentations and panels. Here is how to enable automatic closed captioning. The automatic closed captioning feature is also available in Zoom during live Unconference sessions. You can enable or disable it by clicking the CC button whilst in the room.
Food and Beverage
Do you cater to special dietary requirements? In-person ticket
Yes. We cater to many special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. All food will be clearly labeled to show the dietary requirement and ingredients. If you have any dietary requirements outside of the ones mentioned or any questions, you can contact our team at info [at] qconlondon.com. If you require a kosher lunch, please let us know. All kosher meal requests are due by March 17, 2023. After this time, we will not be able to accommodate any additional kosher requests.
Will Breakfast, Coffee Breaks & Lunch be Provided ? In-person ticket
A light continental breakfast is provided each morning prior to the scheduled start time of the daily sessions. A buffet lunch will also be provided as well as morning and afternoon refreshment breaks.
Conference Format & Experience
What is a track?
There are 15 primary themes at QCon. Each of the major themes is organized into what we call tracks. A track represents four curated talks and one panel. All of the sessions are led by domain experts who guide the selection process. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 15 editorial tracks at QCon. You will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
What do you mean by "no hidden marketing"?
Outside of the main 15 tracks, QCon will offer additional sponsored tracks. If a track is sponsored by a vendor, it is separated from the main editorial tracks and labeled as sponsored. These are separate from the 15 editorial tracks at QCon. One of the core tenants of QCon is transparency, you will never find sponsored content hidden into the main editorial content at the conference.
What is an Unconference Session?
QCon features scheduled Unconference Sessions. These facilitated sessions are designed to bring together groups of individuals to work on a crowd-sourced agenda of topics. These provide valuable opportunities to learn and connect with peers.
Is there a call for papers?
We do not have a formal CFP and usually directly invite our speakers, however, we do have a submission form for spontaneous submissions.
What are the timings for QCon London?
QCon London takes place from Monday, March 27th to Wednesday, March 29th, 2023.
Onsite registration for in-person attendees is open on March 27th from 7:15 a.m.
Which rewards does the QCon alumni program include?
You will automatically qualify as a QCon alumni when you have registered to attend any 2 or more QCon events (in-person or online).
If you attend QCon frequently, you will move up the QCon alumni tiers, unlocking more benefits.
You can read more about the alumni program and rewards on the QCon alumni page.
What Social Events & Peer Sharing opportunities does QCon offer? In-person ticket
To help you make connections with the world's most innovative senior software engineers, architects and team leads, we encourage you to participate in our QCon Conference Social, Women and Allies in Tech Community Event, Exhibitor Reception, QCon Closing Reception, Peer sharing in the Unconference sessions and the Lunch Discussions & Tables Discussion Cafe. You can read more about them by clicking here.
How can I meet new people at QCon? In-person ticket
Events are always more fun when you see a familiar face or have a friend to go with. That’s why at QCon London 2023, there will be opportunities to meet new people - created with you in mind, to meet like-minded people who want to make professional connections at the conference.
Some of the opportunities include:
- The QCon London Sightseeing Tour on Sunday, March 26th
- At the Women and Allies in Tech Lunch on Monday, March 27th
- At a designated meeting point at the QCon Conference Social on Monday, March 27th
- At a designated meeting point on the 6th floor in front of Mountbatten at breakfast on Tuesday, March 28th
Health and Safety
Do I need to be fully COVID vaccinated to attend the conference? In-person ticket
COVID-19 Vaccination OR Negative Covid-19 Test OR Proof of Recent Covid Recovery Are Required.
To attend QCon London, attendees must EITHER:
a.) Show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or
b.) Show an official proof of a negative Covid test from either the current calendar day or the prior calendar day or
c.) Show proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days
Accepted vaccines can be found in the QCon London Terms & Conditions (paragraph 6a).
Which COVID vaccines will be accepted? In-person ticket
To attend QCon, attendees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. “Fully Vaccinated” is defined as having received the last required dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to the start of the event. The day you have your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days. If you were vaccinated with a 2-dose vaccine, or a combination of them, you must have had both doses to be considered fully vaccinated. This applies in all cases, even if you’ve recently recovered from COVID-19 and might have natural immunity. Those who have only had one dose of a 2-dose vaccine, are considered unvaccinated for the purpose of this conference and will not be admitted.
Booster shots are currently not required in order to be considered fully vaccinated.
Accepted COVID-19 Vaccinations: QCon follows government guidance to determine which vaccinations are accepted. The current list of approved vaccines include:
- Moderna
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Covaxin
- Covishield
- BIBP/Sinopharm Beijing
- Sinovac
- Novavax/Covovax
- Convidecia
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (single dose vaccine)
You may mix 2 different types of vaccines from the above list, for example, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Sinopharm Beijing.
You may have the 2 vaccinations under 2 different approved programs, for example, Australia and Japan, UK and USA, France and Canada.
Will I need to show proof of my Covid vaccination? In-person ticket
All participants planning to enter QCon London based on their Covid-19 vaccination records (as opposed to a current, official, negative Covid-19 test result) will be required to provide valid proof of vaccination before being allowed to enter the Event. Failure to provide verifiable proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in compliance with these Terms will result in refusal of event access without a refund. We might partner with a 3rd party to verify your vaccination status at the event. Vaccination status and records will only be checked at the event entrance and no health data will be stored by QCon.
Will I need to wear a face mask at the conference? In-person ticket
Face Masks are Required: Please bring your own face mask (Substantial cloth masks, surgical masks, N95 masks, KN95 masks are acceptable. However, exhale valves or bandannas are not acceptable). You will be required to wear a mask fully covering your nose and mouth during the entire event, unless you are drinking or eating in designated areas or speaking on stage. Participants failing to comply with the face mask guidelines that are in place at the event will be asked to leave the Event without a refund.
If I choose to show a Negative Test result, what are the conditions?
If you are planning to be admitted into QCon London based on a negative Covid-19 test result (as opposed to Covid-19 vaccination records), your Covid-19 test result must be:
- an official test, which means it must have been administered by a health service that provides a certificate (paper or electronic) and the name and location of the health service is on the certificate, AND
- the test must have been administered either on the day prior or on the current day, AND
- you must be able to show proof of the negative test result (electronic or paper) at the entrance to QCon, AND
- your name has to be on the Covid test result and match your photo identification, AND
- the Covid-19 test result must be negative.
- Unofficial and unmonitored at-home-tests are not accepted.
Repeating your Covid-19 Test to Stay Current for QCon. If you are planning to attend QCon for multiple days, please make sure to repeat your official Covid-19 test as often as necessary in order to provide an official negative test result from either the day before or the current day before entering the event venue for the day.
If I choose to show a Negative Test result, which ones are acceptable? In-person ticket
All COVID-19 test kits which are currently used in the USA, Canada or Europe by official, monitored Covid testing services are acceptable. This includes quick tests (lateral flow tests, which provide results in 15 minutes) as well as PRC tests and others.
What are the Requirements for Using Recent Recovery from Covid-19? In-person ticket
If you are planning to be admitted into QCon London based on having immunity due to a recent recovery from Covid-19, you must provide the following documentation to gain entrance into QCon:
- your documented Covid-19 infection has to be between 7 and 90 days ago, AND
- you can prove your past Covid-19 infection with an official and documented positive test result, AND
- you can provide a subsequent official, documented negative Covid-19 test result, proving that you are no longer infectious to others, AND
- all documentation is from an official health organization and includes the name and location of the health organization, AND
- all documentation bears your name which matches your photo ID
- Unofficial and unmonitored at-home test results are not acceptable
What Covid-19 Test Locations and Resources are available? In-person ticket
Proximity to The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre - London (Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE)
- London Covid Testing Clinic Victoria - 11 - 13 Lower Grosvenor Pl, London SW1W 0EX, United Kingdom (.9 miles from QEII; ~24 min walk, 8 min car ride)
- Open Monday - Sunday 9AM - 6PM
- Walk-ins welcome, appointments not required, but encouraged
- 2-hour Express PCR £139
- 24-hour PCR £49
- Katalyst Health - 18 Soho Square, London W1D 3QH, United Kingdom (1.3 miles from QEII ~ 28 min walk, 9 min car ride)
- Open Monday - Friday 9AM - 6PM
- Appointment required
- Lateral Flow £22.50
- 3-hour Express PCR £99
- PCR Same Day £64.99
- PCR Next Day £55
- The City and Travel Clinic - (2 locations) 21 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY, United Kingdom OR 6-10 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QL, United Kingdom (both 1.5 miles from QEII; ~ 31 min walk, 9 min car ride)
- Open Monday - Saturday 9AM - 6PM, Sunday 9AM - 5PM
- Appointments required
- Recovery Letter £59.99
- PCR Same Day £89
- PCR Next Day £59
- PCR Test for Travel - 10 Harley St, London W1G 9PF, United Kingdom (1.7 miles from QEII; ~ 36 min walk, 18 min car ride)
- Open Monday - Friday 9AM - 8PM, Saturday 9AM - 6PM, Sunday 8AM - 8PM
- Appointments required
- 15 min PCR test £149
- DocTap - John Bell & Croyden, 50-54 Wigmore St, London W1U 2AU, United Kingdom (2.5 miles from QEII; ~ 34 min walk, 19 min car ride)
- Open Monday - Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 9:30AM - 6PM, Sunday 12 - 5:30PM
- Appointments required
- 1-hour Lateral Flow £24
- PCR Test £64
You might also research online monitored testing services that allow you to use their at-home kit while being monitored via a Zoom call. An example of such a service is eMed.com.
Kindly note, QCon does not endorse any of these businesses nor is QCon affiliated with any of these providers. All attendees are solely responsible for their Covid-19 testing arrangements and associated expenses.
Can the Covid-19 Safety measures change? In-person ticket
In addition to the COVID-19 related safety requirements in the Terms, we follow government, venue and event safety guidelines that might be in place at the time of the event. Should new government/venue guidelines be different from what is stated in these Terms, we will communicate these changes to QCon participants via email as soon as we are made aware. Any attendee not complying with the health and safety requirements in place at the time of the Event, will be asked to leave the Event without a refund.
About QCon
Who is behind QCon?
QCon is presented by InfoQ. We’ve been helping software development teams adopt new technologies and practices for over 17 years. The driving force behind every QCon conference is our passion to accelerate the software side of human progress.
Senior software developers rely on QCon and InfoQ to keep ahead of the adoption curve. One of the main reasons senior software engineers, software architects, and team leads tell us they keep coming back to QCon and InfoQ is because they trust the information provided and selected by their peers. Join a global professional engineering community and adopt the right software innovations and practices.
Who is QCon for?
QCon is designed for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
What does QCon do to support diversity and inclusion?
At QCon, we want to foster an environment that is both diverse and inclusive. The ideas and thoughts generated within a diverse group tend to be more innovative and thought-provoking. This atmosphere characterizes the very essence of QCon.
You can learn about diversity and accessibility at QCon London on our website. Some of the things we are doing in-person at QCon London to make the environment more inclusive include:
- Enforced Code of Conduct
- Childcare stipends for speakers
- Deconstructed menus (to cater to allergies or food preferences)
- Access to all-gender restrooms
- Prayer room
- Women and Allies in Tech events
- Lactation Room
- Quiet Area
- Assistance and Guide Dogs are welcome
- Wheelchair accessible
If there is something that would make you feel more welcome, you feel we’re missing at the conference, or would like more information on, please let us know at info [at] qconlondon.com .
Why is QCon a conference for practitioners by practitioners?
At QCon, we prefer Engineers over Evangelists, Practitioners over Trainers/Coaches, and Team Leads over Consultants. That is not to say we don't find value on the people on the right, we just prefer those on the left. This simple mantra guides our editorial content. We want to hear from the people who are living with decisions and implementations. This is core to what makes QCon QCon.
What is the QCon code of conduct?
We designed QCon as a place where everyone feels safe to express themselves, learn, and succeed in adopting new technology and practices. We enforce this through the QCon Code of Conduct to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for our thousands of inspiring attendees.
By joining QCon, you agree to our Code of Conduct. All QCon participants, speakers, sponsors, and staff are required to abide by our code of conduct.
What is a QCon software development conference?
QCon is an international software development conference for senior software engineers, software architects, and team leaders.
QCon focuses on emerging software trends and innovations in software development and technical leadership with all talks by software domain experts. Our Programming Committee identifies the key trends and creates a curated learning journey by selecting leading software practitioners to deep-dive on each topic.
Sessions are composed of keynotes from world-class practitioners, tech talks with leading authorities, Q&As, and an opportunity to engage with peers to help answer your questions. You’ll gain actionable ideas that you can take back to your team and implement right away.
Misc
Is there a volunteer program at QCon London? In-person ticket
QCon London offers a volunteer program for students and young professionals who want to experience an international software development conference in exchange for volunteering and assisting with the tracks during the event.
As a volunteer at QCon London, you will get a chance to hear and learn from experts in the field and get access to the conference for free in exchange for volunteer work.
More details on the volunteer program, the program schedule, and the application form can be found on the volunteer page.
Does QCon offer scholarships or free tickets?
QCon is committed to creating accessible products for software developers from different backgrounds, and to be representative of the present diverse software community.
Free tickets to attend QCon London in-person or virtually are available for senior developers from underrepresented communities in tech.
Requirements for candidates:
- Be a senior software developer (5+ years of experience)
- Identify as a member of a historically underrepresented group in tech
- Participate in QCon London, March 27-29 (in-person or online)
- Must agree to follow our Code of Conduct
Software developers meeting the criteria listed above are invited to apply for a free ticket to attend QCon London by filling in this application form by February 20th.
What is the dress code for the conference? In-person ticket
QCon doesn’t have a formal dress code.
What sustainability initiatives does QCon implement? In-person ticket
QCon partners with conference venues that use innovation and best practices to make our conferences more sustainable. Food and beverage and the respective packaging have a significant impact on sustainability. That’s why at the QEII:
- Cutlery is made from renewable plant-based material, that’s compostable after use
- There are unbleached napkins made from recycled paper
- Hot food boxes are made from recycled materials, collected once used, and sent on to be recycled further
- Plastic containers used have a high recycled content which can then be recycled
- Food waste is taken for composting via Westminster Council
- They have partnered with the first caterer who joined the UK Plastics Pact