CloudFest 2025: My Impressions and Reflections  ## Metadata - Author: [[callmelana.com]] - Full Title: CloudFest 2025: My Impressions and Reflections - Category: #articles - Summary: I’ll be honest – CloudFest 2025 wasn’t a perfect experience for me. There were some great moments, interesting meetings, and valuable experiences, especially - URL: https://callmelana.com/cloudfest-2025-my-impressions-and-reflections/  I’ll be honest – CloudFest 2025 wasn’t a perfect experience for me. There were some great moments, interesting meetings, and valuable experiences, especially for a first-timer like me. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe this type of event just isn’t my thing. Either way, **here’s my honest take on what I liked, what I didn’t, and what I took away from the event.**  #### What is CloudFest? [CloudFest](https://www.cloudfest.com/) is a tech conference that blends talks, networking opportunities, and social events (like actual fest), all set in a small town known for its massive roller coasters. It’s a mix of business, technology, and fun, where professionals from the hosting, cloud, and web industries gather to share ideas and build connections. Cloudfest talksCloudfest academy #### Pre-Event Preparation Whenever I attend something new, I like to be well-prepared. I made a list of talks I was interested in, people I wanted to meet, and key questions I hoped to discuss. For me, traveling from Ukraine to any event takes up to three days, so if I decide to go, it has to be worth it. 😃 Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking when I booked a bus for this trip – it was so long. I hope I never have to do that again! I planned to attend for only three out of the four days, unsure if I could handle the full schedule. #### **Key Takeaways** 1. **A throwback to my student days**. The conference atmosphere reminded me of when I used to attend similar events more frequently. 2. **I work best when fully immersed in one project**. Meeting some people at CloudFest made me realize that juggling multiple projects isn’t my ideal way of working. I need to go all in to be truly effective. 3. One thing that disappointed me was **how overhyped topics were squeezed into very short talks**. Even the interesting ones felt rushed and barely explored. 4. I attended about half of the talks, as I also had pre-planned meetings with some new and existing partners. **It was great to meet people in person!** However, I didn’t interact much with the broader WordPress community, as most of them were engaged in the Hackathon. 5. At some point, I realized **I was taking everything too seriously**. Events like this aren’t just about learning – they’re also about relaxing, meeting like-minded people, and making connections. 6. **I struggle with small talk.** I expected a more structured and serious event, which made casual networking a bit difficult for me. 7. There was also a moment when I looked around and thought – at Crocoblock, we’re doing so much cool stuff! **It made me feel proud of my team** and the work we’re doing.  At some point, I started wondering – was the long journey, especially for those coming from the U.S., really worth it just for this experience? I couldn’t couldn’t stop wondering the question: *Why are people really here?* #### Having Fun After two days, I finally accepted that I needed a break too. So, I hopped on some roller coasters, explored the event venue, and even managed to explore Frankfurt a little bit on my way back. Beautiful city for sure!  #### **Final Thoughts** CloudFest 2025 was an interesting experience – just not what I initially expected. I’m still not sure why. Maybe it was the long trip, the huge crowd, or the fact that I expected it to be more WordPress-focused as I liked WordCamp Europe so much. Is it worth it? **Absolutely**, the CloudFest team put in great effort to create an amazing experience – but it’s important to set your goals first and make sure they align with what the event truly offers: networking, having fun, meeting partners, and yes, enjoying some roller coasters. 🎢, CloudFest 2025: My Impressions and Reflections, callmelana.com, 01jq4vxe1c0tt80wt3zkr22wt8.