Whats your Testbash Tips for newbees?

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Listened to a fabulous discussion on This Week in Testing | Ministry of Testing where @nat @lhughes @preetig @eamond15 and @simon_tomes shared their experiences on attending conferences and tips for testbash.

It’ll be my first time attending TestBash and I’m sure I won’t be the only one in that position. So for those who have been before and the regular attendees, what would be your tips for the newbees like me to get the best out of our experience? What should we be prepared for?

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The things I’ll do for sure are:

  • prepare a plan in advance: what sessions are you going to attend
  • Verify if you should make a reservation for the workshops
  • take little breaks ( alone time)
  • wear comfortable shoes :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:
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Thanks @mariem_safi . I think I’ll put a slot in my diary for preparing a plan ahead, thats a very consistent theme. Workshop reservations is a new one for me :thinking:. This might sound a silly question but would I need to bring a laptop/device for the workshops or is notepad enough?
Totally understand the breaks, and the comfortable shoes? :100: I have big feet, they need comfort :grin:

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  • Congratulate yourself. You are coming to one of the best conferences available on this planet.
  • Don’t hesitate. Talk to people. TestBash people are super friendly.
  • Ask questions. Your questions shape discussions.
  • Make your plan - Workshops. Talks. Booth Time. Free Time.
  • Take notes (MoT has a Word file journal created so that you can easily do that).
  • Get enough sleep the day before. Testbash will be a big day.
  • If you feel confused, come and talk to me. I am a 6’4’’ Indian, easy to look for, even in a big space.

All the best!

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Great tips Rahul, thanks so much! Yeah I’m looking forward to meeting you :grin: :handshake:

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Hey @ghawkes, great question to consider and others have added some helpful perspectives to navigate the conference. To one of your questions around Laptop in Workshops yes you can walk with it, this should be mentioned on the Workshop details. Based on the topic it might give a clue as to whether you need it as it’d be more engaging. Here are few more:

  • :brain: Come with an open mind to learn new things and be reminded of the things you do know.
  • :sweat_droplets:Stay hydrated, moving from room to room can be tiring :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:.
  • :speech_balloon: Speak to the speakers!!! Get the insights where you can from them directly as sometimes they can offer perspective into your context directly. In other words think of the questions you’d want answered based on your situation.
  • :thinking: Consider from the talks you’re going to attend, how do I bring back those nuggets of knowledge to your wider team? In other words you’re there as both a learner but also gathering ideas as how to encourage others in attending next year. Capture the moment, oh and selfies! :grinning_face:
  • Attend the Sponsor workshop booths as they do have some intriguing learning sessions and direct answers to questions.

If I think of any more I’ll reply! Hopefully I spot you and say hello :waving_hand:t4:

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Thanks Jesse, really appreciate it. If you don’t find me, I’ll find you :grin: .

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To get maximum output from any event, including Test bash, go early to the event and leave the event a bit late.

The reason is that if you arrive early, then whoever arrives at the event greets you, and hence the chances of having a conversation or knowing each other are much higher.

Similarly, if you leave the event later, then there is a chance of having interaction with the speaker and host, which can help in clearing any doubt or query we have regarding the topic of the event.

Also, proactively ask questions during the sessions of the event, it will keep the spirit of whole attendees and the speaker a bit high.

That was my suggestion based on my own past experiences from the meetups/events I have attended.

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