There’s no shortage of incredible content lined up for .conf26 in Denver, from deep-dive technical sessions and interactive gaming lounges to hands-on workshops. But ask any veteran attendee, and they’ll tell you that the true value of the week comes down to how you navigate the experience.
To help you get ready, we gathered some of the best advice directly from past attendees and SplunkTrust members. Here is how to prep like a pro.
1. Ditch the Device (And Travel Light)
It’s easy to feel glued to your laptop or phone during sessions, but device distractions can keep you from truly absorbing what's happening in the room.
"Travel with pen and paper. Free yourself from device distraction and note which talks and areas to follow up on." — Trex
Pro Tip: Use an analog notebook to jot down quick takeaways, speaker names, or booth ideas. You can always dig into the code or documentation when you get back to your hotel room.
2. Prioritize Non-Recorded Sessions & Flexible Calendars
While it’s tempting to pack every single minute of your calendar with back-to-back sessions, don't over-schedule yourself.
"Prioritize attending non-recorded sessions over recorded ones." — Rich Galloway
Many interactive workshops and hands-on labs are not recorded, making them high-priority targets for your live schedule. However, give yourself permission to step back if you start feeling conference burnout.
"Just because you sign up, if you are overwhelmed, you don't have to attend a talk/workshop... If it's something like a workshop where seats are limited, please go into the app and remove yourself though, so they can admit standby folks." — Brandon Sternfield
3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone (And Commune!)
The hallway track is often where the most valuable technical breakthroughs happen. Don't spend the whole week surrounded only by the people you traveled with!
"Don’t sit for meals with people you know (especially work colleagues) - share a table with people you don’t know." — Chris Barrett
Building a real network means making time for organic human connections across the show floor.
"It's tempting to fill every slot in your calendar with something, but don't do that. Make time for the community. I learned a lot from talking to people, talking to vendors at the pavilion, talking to the SplunkTrust at the community booth, crashing different tables at the meals, talking to people on break/lunch during Splunk University. It's all learning." — efavreau
4. Hydrate & Hydrate Some More (Denver Altitude Edition)
Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level. If you're coming from near sea level, the high altitude and dry climate can catch you off guard fast if you aren't prepared.
"Stay hydrated! This is a personal one for those that know my own attendance habits." — Trex
"Folks not acclimated to high altitudes may experience altitude/mountain sickness. Speaking with your healthcare provider before traveling, preparing for the new environment, and arriving a day or two early may help." — tscroggins
Denver Altitude Essentials: Drink water before you feel thirsty, pack lip balm/moisturizer, go easy on the alcohol during evening socials, and give your body time to adjust!
Want More .conf26 Insider Guides?
From hands-on gaming zone breakdowns to curated session guides by track, we’re highlighting the best of the show floor leading up to Denver.
Explore all of our .conf26 spotlight articles here.
Lock In Your Pass Today
Ready to take these pro tips and put them into practice on the show floor? Don't wait for registration rates to increase or popular hands-on workshops to cap out.
Register for Splunk .conf26 in Denver today!
