JoomlaDayUSA, in its third year, was finally able to meet in person. The conference was held entirely virtual for the first two years - which was a challenge in and of itself. 2023's conference, held in Austin, Texas, was also attended worldwide in a hybrid format. This statement screams success to those who took an idea and brought it to life four years ago.

The idea was simple. Let's all get together!

It took 32 volunteers and speakers to run this year's event. I was in the first meeting in 2020 when Laura introduced the idea. Her only request was that we run this event as a team. No one person should take on this burden alone.

Thirty-two volunteers and speakers - that is the secret sauce!

JDayUSA served ninety-nine registered attendees around the world.

• An Intro to Joomla Class
• Inspirational Keynote speeches
• Bugs & Fun
• Panel discussions
• Networking lunches
• 20+ sessions
• Finishing with Stump the Joomlers closing

I learned a thing or two about Joomla, but I mostly ate my way through the trip. The food y'all, the food - breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, dinners & drinks. We gathered downtown to listen to live music, dance, and sing. We ate grasshoppers and walked until we couldn't walk anymore. We laughed and laughed and watched a million bats swarm from under a bridge. And laugh, I never knew how funny Tim Davis was until we spent five days together.

If you attended in person, you got a hug as big as Texas.

JoomlaDayUSA - I can't wait for next year!

(JDayUSA 2023 session recordings will be available in a few weeks)