MM24UK: Celebrating Magento's Future in the Heart of London
The Meet Magento UK 2024 (MM24UK) event, organized by JH, was held this year once again at the impressive The Mermaid Theatre, located in the heart of London, right by the Thames. This historic theater, built on the site of Puddle Dock and Curriers' Alley and the first theater in the City of London since Shakespeare's time, provided a unique and inspiring setting for this outstanding event.
The day began at 8:30 AM with registration, followed by a welcome coffee in the spacious Marketplace area on the second floor of the building. This large room not only offered ample space for the sponsors' booths but also served as the central hub for culinary offerings, where meals were served throughout the day.
Shortly after 9:30 AM, Jamie Huskisson, CEO of JH, took the stage and opened the event before a packed auditorium. Jamie confirmed that over 750 tickets had been sold – a new record. He also introduced the new Magento Open Source website, on which the MageOS Content Team, Born Techies agency, and the Magento Association had been working tirelessly. A big thank you was extended to all contributors who had provided and implemented content ideas up to the last minute. This opening set the perfect tone for the day.
Following this, Eric Erway took the stage to deliver his keynote on the importance of community for the Magento ecosystem. He spoke about the opportunities and possibilities Magento offers now and in the future, sharing inspiring stories about the community's origin and development.
Due to the numerous talks, the event was divided into two main tracks: the Business Track in the Main Auditorium and the Technical Track in the slightly smaller Newgate Suite. This format allowed attendees to tailor their experience according to their interests and needs. Those interested in strategic, high-level discussions could attend the Business Track sessions, which covered topics such as e-commerce trends, market strategies, and business growth tactics. On the other hand, attendees looking for more in-depth technical knowledge could join the Technical Track, which delved into coding practices, platform integrations, and innovative technological solutions.
The Marketplace area was a constant hub of activity, serving as the perfect venue for networking and informal interactions. Between the sessions, attendees could explore the diverse range of sponsor booths, each offering unique insights and solutions related to the Magento ecosystem. Engaging in lively discussions, visitors exchanged ideas, discovered new tools, and built valuable connections.
One of the standout attractions in the Marketplace area was the Silent Rave, organized by akoova and the Magento Association at the akoova booth. This innovative concept allowed participants to enjoy music through wireless headphones while engaging in conversations, creating a dynamic yet intimate atmosphere. The Silent Rave was a hit, drawing many visitors who enjoyed the unique blend of music and dialogue.
A special highlight of the event was the exclusive giveaway from akoova: a vinyl record featuring the Magento-themed song “Open For Life,” produced by Mathias Schreiber and Jörg Ems. This limited-edition vinyl became a coveted memento of the event, reflecting the creativity and collaborative spirit of the Magento community.
Throughout the day, all booths were well-visited, fostering long-lasting conversations and collaborations. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with sponsors, ask questions, and gain insights into the latest advancements in the Magento platform. The vibrant atmosphere in the Marketplace Area underscored the event's success in bringing together professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators from the Magento ecosystem.
Sponsors who exhibited in the Marketplace included leading industry names such as akoova (headline sponsor), WORLDLINE, ontap., dotdigital, sonassi, HYPERNODE, TRUELAYER, mollie, ecommpay, CanvasLogic, hyvä, and fastly. Their presence and contributions significantly enhanced the overall experience, providing attendees with valuable resources and connections.
During the closing keynote, Jamie Huskisson invited Matt Medlyn, Eric Erway, and Janis Thomas to a panel discussion. The central question was: What do we take away from a Meet Magento event? What do we learn from the talks? Personally, what resonated most with me was Matt’s insight that everyone in the Magento community shares similar concerns and struggles with the same issues. The openness and willingness to not only discuss these problems but to tackle them cooperatively was my key takeaway.
After the event, the after party continued at Bounce Farringdon, a bar with 17 ping pong tables, wood-fired pizza, cocktails, music, and... karaoke. A fantastic idea! After the first drinks and friendly ping pong games, small tournaments ensued, bringing much fun to the participants. "There were ping pong balls everywhere!" With 17 active tables and so many people, the situation escalated slightly, and the floor was covered in ping pong balls.
Additionally, in a separate room, a few brave souls gathered for karaoke. The first songs were a bit timid, but spontaneous duets soon formed, and the song queue grew rapidly. More and more spectators joined in, many of whom eventually took to the mic themselves. Even those who didn’t sing had a blast cheering on the singing Magento choir. It was a fantastic end to a successful day.
Thank You!
A huge thank you goes out to the organizers, helping hands, sponsors, all visitors, and the teams at The Mermaid and Bounce Farringdon. You were all amazing and made this event an unforgettable experience! Thank you!
