Spry Digital At DrupalCon 2023: Pittsburgh Recap

In early June, the Spry Digital team headed to Pittsburgh for DrupalCon 2024. We love this conference because it’s more than just a technical deep dive; it’s a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and foster the community that makes this open-source platform so strong.

This year, the sessions balanced technical roadmaps with essential conversations on marketing, business, and culture. Here is our recap of the big takeaways that have us excited for the future of digital experiences.

The re-architecture that began with Drupal 8 was a necessary investment to keep pace with modern technology. Now, with Drupal 10, that investment is paying off with features that simplify the complex for developers and site owners alike.

One standout session was “Single Directory Components in Core” by Mike Herchel and Mateu Aguiló Bosch. This shift fundamentally changes how theming works in Drupal — offering a more streamlined, efficient workflow. If you’ve been on the fence, this is a compelling reason to migrate to v10 as soon as possible.

Other technical highlights included:

• Advanced Render Cache Debugging: A masterclass in troubleshooting complex performance issues to ensure a seamless user experience.
• Automatic Updates in Core: Long-awaited and finally arriving, this feature will significantly improve platform security and maintenance.

At Spry, we believe our brand voice is the voice of our people. That’s why Brittany Acre’s talk, “Authenticity is Contagious,” resonated so deeply. She challenged the rigid, traditional mold of “professionalism,” explaining how showing emotion and being real builds stronger client relationships and a healthier company culture.

Supporting every individual’s “authentic self” was a major theme this year:

• Building True Equity: Monica Flores and Ellie Fanning shared actionable steps to move beyond basic DEIA definitions toward a culture of true equity.
• Neuroinclusivity in Tech: Fei Lauren provided a brave look at how organizations can better support neurodivergent team members by valuing “soft” skills and inclusive environments.

A Community Built for Real People

The Drupal community remains one of the friendliest and most diverse open-source groups in the world. From the Black in Drupal roundtable to the Women in Drupal luncheon, the conference proved that the best digital products are created when everyone has a seat at the table.

A personal highlight for our team was the culmination of the Discover Drupal program. Getting to meet my mentee in person after a year of virtual collaboration was incredibly gratifying.

If you couldn’t make it to Pittsburgh, you can find the recorded sessions on YouTube. You can also view our DrupalCon photo album
to see the Spry team in action.