Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Conferences are expensive.

Between the flights (especially from Australia), the accommodation, the ticket price, and the time away from the business, attending a US conference like DevLearn is a massive investment.

So, why do I do it? Why do I pack my bags during the busiest time of the year to fly halfway across the world?

Because in this industry, if you stand still, you move backward.

DevLearn isn’t just a networking event; it’s a litmus test for my career. It is the one place where I can:

• Audit the Industry: I get to see exactly what is cutting-edge and what is obsolete. It tells me instantly where I sit in the market.
• Interrogate the Tech: I don’t just read brochures; I get to talk face-to-face with vendors, challenge their claims, and see the tools in action.
• Upgrade My Toolkit: I walk away with practical skills I can use the very next Monday.
• Meet My Heroes: There is nothing like shaking hands with the people whose blogs and books have shaped your career.

The DevLearn Report: A Personal Triumph

This year was a whirlwind. My wife and I turned the trip into a two-week adventure, balancing the chaos of the conference with a bit of US travel.

But once the doors opened, it was all business.

The Speaking Gigs I had the privilege of facilitating a Morning Buzz session on “How to Price eLearning.” This is a topic I am passionate about because so many designers undervalue their work. I also led a Friday session on “Using Adapt to Create Engaging Learning Apps,” diving deep into the technical side of mobile-first design.

The Big Win The highlight, however, was DemoFest. I presented “The Fallout,” a project I built for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). It’s a heavy, impactful piece, and standing there showing it to peers was nerve-wracking.

But the industry spoke. I won.

Walking away with a DemoFest award is a validation that the work we are doing down here in Australia isn’t just “good”—it’s world-class.

The Real ROI: Connection

Awards are great, but the real gold is the people.

I spent time catching up with two of my absolute favourites in the industry, Tim Slade and John Hinchcliffe. These guys are titans. Being able to share ideas, laugh, and talk shop with them wasn’t just fun; it was inspiring.

Surrounding yourself with people who are better, smarter, or further along than you is the fastest way to grow. That is why I go to DevLearn.

It’s not just a conference. It’s a recharge for my professional soul.

I spoke at DevLearn about pricing because it’s the #1 struggle for freelancers. Book a coaching session with me, and let’s fix your rate card today.