What Postgres developers can expect from PGConf.dev with Melanie Plageman | Talking Postgres Ep34

What do conference planning, hacking weddings, and cat-free coding sessions have to do with Postgres? In Episode 34 of Talking Postgres, Melanie Plageman—Postgres committer and major contributor from Microsoft—joins Claire for a lively deep dive into what developers can expect at PGConf.dev 2026 as Postgres turns 30. We explore new content formats, the role of travel grants, why Tuesday becomes a full conference day, and how the hallway track often shapes the next Postgres release. Plus: creating space for new contributors to get inspired and get involved. And yes—the CFP is open until Jan 16, 2026. Chapters: ⏩ 00:00 Music & introduction ⏩ 02:15 PGCon hallway track changed my career ⏩ 04:40 PGConf.dev is how we get new people ⏩ 05:13 Hacking-themed wedding ⏩ 06:30 Democratizing access ⏩ 10:30 Beginner & advanced content ⏩ 14:54 Tue is a full conference day ⏩ 25:21 Breaking apart cliques ⏩ 25:54 Meet and eat dinners ⏩ 28:36 Perfect timing in May ⏩ 31:49 Negotiating, celebrating, mourning ⏩ 36:08 Would you cancel yearly project planning? ⏩ 38:02 Soliciting debate ideas, like PGDay Lowlands ⏩ 38:40 Poster sessions are back ⏩ 40:36 30th anniversary for Postgres ⏩ 49:55 Travel grants available ⏩ 56:28 Robert Haas hacking workshops ⏩ 59:14 Get feedback before CFP submission ⏩ 01:03:13 Volunteer opportunities 📜 Full transcript available at: https://talkingpostgres.com/episodes/what-postgres-developers-can-expect-from-pgconf-dev-with-melanie-plageman/transcript ✅ Listen to more episodes of Talking Postgres: https://talkingpostgres.com 💥 Subscribe to Talking Postgres, so you never miss an episode: https://talkingpostgres.com/subscribe Links mentioned in this episode: 🔹 Talking Postgres podcast: Becoming a Postgres committer with Melanie Plageman: https://youtu.be/X7Pr5c5Kbe0?si=SfwhxsBm9v_AzRwy 🔹 Talking Postgres podcast: How I got started as a dev and in Postgres with Melanie Plageman & Thomas Munro: https://youtu.be/72OdrpZXjEg?si=V0mofsNKlyuqdH0i 🔹 PGConf.dev 2026: https://2026.pgconf.dev/ 🔹 CFP for PGConf.dev will close on Jan 16, 2026: https://2026.pgconf.dev/cfp 🔹 About PGConf.dev 2026: https://2026.pgconf.dev/about 🔹 Sponsorship levels for PGConf.dev 2026: https://2026.pgconf.dev/sponsor/levels 🔹 Travel grant program for PGConf.dev: https://2026.pgconf.dev/attend/travel-grant 🔹 LinkedIn account for PGConf.dev: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pgconf-dev/ 🔹 CFP for POSETTE: An Event for Postgres will close on Feb 1, 2026: https://posetteconf.com/2026/cfp/ 🔹 Meetup: Post about inaugural PostgreSQL Nairobi Meetup in Dec 2025: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/james-odenyo-a0045b258_postgresql-postgresnbo-postgresmeetup-ugcPost-7403354608116334592-ETyd/ 🔹 PGDay Lowlands 2025 debate about Kubernetes: https://www.postgresql.eu/events/pgdaynl2025/schedule/session/6808-debate-kubernetes/ 🔹 PGDay Lowlands 2025 debate about autotuning: https://www.postgresql.eu/events/pgdaynl2025/schedule/session/6807-debate-autotuning/ 🔹 Melanie’s first conference talk at PGCon 2019: https://www.pgcon.org/2019/schedule/events/1379.en.html 🔹 Blog post: The Pac-Man Rule at Conferences: https://www.ericholscher.com/blog/2017/aug/2/pacman-rule-conferences/ 🔹 Discord invite for PostgreSQL Hacking Mentoring server: https://discord.gg/bx2G9KWyrY 🔹 Calendar invite: LIVE recording of Ep35 of Talking Postgres to happen on Wed Jan 14, 2026: https://aka.ms/TalkingPostgres-Ep35-cal #TalkingPostgres #podcast #PostgreSQL