Why I'm going to T3CON again after years - and why you should come along

It's been a while since I last went to T3CON. To be honest, I've been more focused on the smaller TYPO3 Camps in recent years - you know the drill: different format, smaller groups, different atmosphere. But I've already booked my ticket for November 2025. Why? I'd like to tell you.

The moment I said "yes"

Sure, I'm out and about in the TYPO3 world every day. Producing videos, holding workshops, being active in the forum - you know what I mean. But T3CON attracts a different audience than the camps. More people from larger companies, more agency bosses, more from the business sector. It's an interesting mix that I've wanted to experience again for some time.

When I saw the structure of T3CON 2025 - three days, three different topics - I thought: this is finally a format that does justice to the diversity of our community. And I'm looking forward to the different perspectives that will arise from this mix of community, business and technology.

What really appeals to me

T3CON is different from the camps, that's for sure. Bigger, more structured, sometimes a bit more formal. But that could be the point this year. When I look at the three days, I don't just see one conference - I see three mini-events covering different aspects of our work:

The first day is about community and contribution. For me, as someone who is active in the Education Committee, it's a chance to meet the people I usually only work with digitally. But also interesting for you: The feedback rounds and workshops give you a direct line to those who are developing TYPO3. You can contribute your ideas and express your wishes.

The second day will be exciting for all those who want to see concrete solutions. Use cases, new tools, practical demos. Mittwald will be showing its Smart Extension Builder and there will be speed showcases. I already know many of the technologies from my courses, but here I can see them in use in real projects. These are often the details that make the difference.

On the third day, it gets business-like. Marketing, SEO, content ops, AI. This is about the questions that participants often ask me in my workshops: How do I sell TYPO3 projects? How do I argue against the headless CMS faction? How do I organize my agency more efficiently? And then the highlight in the evening: the TYPO3 Awards Gala.

The scenarios I hear again and again

I come across these situations all the time: There's a freelancer who is technically top-notch, but flounders in a client meeting when it comes to business arguments. Or an agency developer who builds perfect TYPO3 solutions but doesn't know how to pass on her experience to her colleagues.

Then there are the project managers who have been using TYPO3 for years but are unsure whether they are using the right extensions. Or the managers of smaller agencies who ask themselves: Is it still worth specializing in TYPO3?

All these people benefit from various aspects of T3CON. The freelancer gets business tips at Agency Day. The agency developer exchanges ideas with others on Community Day. The project manager sees what is possible on Solution Day.

Why now?

2025 is an interesting year for TYPO3. Version 13 LTS is stable, new features are constantly being added and the community is evolving. At the same time, the environment is changing: AI is influencing the way we work, customers are becoming more demanding, new competitors are establishing themselves.

I know from my day-to-day work that TYPO3 is constantly evolving and now offers solid solutions for modern requirements. But there is often a lack of exchange about how we can make the best use of these possibilities in different contexts.

T3CON is once again taking place at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf - the location was already a hit in 2024. Old industrial architecture meets modern technology. That somehow suits TYPO3 itself: tried and tested, but innovative.

What you will take away with you

After three days, you won't just go home with new contacts. You will have seen concrete solutions for your current projects. You know which extensions you should try out. You'll have ideas on how to optimize the way you work.

And - almost as importantly - you have new perspectives on familiar problems. You'll see how other agencies organize their processes. You will learn how enterprise customers argue. You'll understand where TYPO3 is heading.

Oh yes, and of course I look forward to the conversations in between. To the chance encounters over coffee, to the discussions after the presentations, to the people I know from the camps, but also to all those I only know from the forum or from my courses.

The Awards Gala - a special evening

On Thursday evening it gets festive: the TYPO3 Awards Gala in the Altes Kesselhaus. 17 categories, from culture to e-commerce to enterprise projects, plus special awards for the best extension and the best TYPO3 camp. This is where the projects that show what is possible with TYPO3 are celebrated.

Cocktail attire is the order of the day - so for once you won't see me there in jeans and a metal shirt. After the awards ceremony, the after-show party continues until 4am. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not normally the type for such events, but the awards have their own special appeal. It's great to see how diverse the TYPO3 projects are and the creative solutions that emerge.

For whom is T3CON worthwhile?

Anyone who works professionally with TYPO3. Freelancers get business know-how and new contacts. Developers in agencies see what other teams are doing. Managing directors learn how to use TYPO3 strategically. And everyone benefits from the direct exchange.

If you also want to go: Tickets are still available, but you shouldn't wait too long for the Community Day variant with recertification. You can find details about recertification on the T3CON website. You'll need a separate ticket for the Awards Gala - but it's worth it if you want to see what others are building with TYPO3.

Maybe we'll see each other in Düsseldorf. I would be delighted!