In light of recent anti-abortion legislation, we have received feedback and concern about hosting PyCon US 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. We hear this concern and recognize the risk and impact these laws impose on people who can become pregnant. PyCon US plans to take extra efforts to create a safe and inclusive environment throughout the duration of the conference, including extending our “no questions asked” refund or conversion to a virtual ticket for any reason, right up to the start of the event.
PyCon US is a community conference centered around creating a valuable and inclusive experience for each member of our community to network and collaborate within the open source space. Diversity, equity and inclusion are an important focus of PyCon US and the Python Software Foundation’s mission, and they are valued and implemented through both the PyCon US and PSF Code of Conduct and Diversity Statement. PyCon US values each member of our community, and welcomes all individuals to participate regardless of age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion (or lack thereof), education, or socio-economic status.
Organizing a large event like PyCon US takes many years of planning and preparation, with host city selection starting three to four years before the event. The potential location starts with a thorough evaluation of the city, combined with our best estimates for conference size and needs. It is through our team’s advanced planning strategy that we are able to provide the unique and valuable experience that our community deserves. Due to the prohibitive financial loss the PSF would incur to cancel or change the current contract with the Salt Palace Convention Center and local hotels, not to mention finding an alternative venue, PyCon US 2023 will go on as planned in Salt Lake City. We understand that some community members may feel hesitant about joining us in Salt Lake City this year and hope that anyone not comfortable with attending in person will consider joining us at PyCon US 2023 virtually.
The PyCon US team will be researching local Salt Lake City organizations who support and provide resources to women, girls, and people from marginalized genders to team up with in order to promote inclusion and make the most of our community’s presence while in Salt Lake City. Feel free to make suggestions by emailing pycon-reg@python.org! PyCon US aims to empower all members of our community and foster a positive experience for all who participate.
We welcome and request input from the community on ways PyCon US can make an impact and create a safe environment for our attendees at PyCon US 2023. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or any questions about PyCon US, contact us by emailing pycon-reg@python.org.
PyCon US is a community conference centered around creating a valuable and inclusive experience for each member of our community to network and collaborate within the open source space. Diversity, equity and inclusion are an important focus of PyCon US and the Python Software Foundation’s mission, and they are valued and implemented through both the PyCon US and PSF Code of Conduct and Diversity Statement. PyCon US values each member of our community, and welcomes all individuals to participate regardless of age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion (or lack thereof), education, or socio-economic status.
Organizing a large event like PyCon US takes many years of planning and preparation, with host city selection starting three to four years before the event. The potential location starts with a thorough evaluation of the city, combined with our best estimates for conference size and needs. It is through our team’s advanced planning strategy that we are able to provide the unique and valuable experience that our community deserves. Due to the prohibitive financial loss the PSF would incur to cancel or change the current contract with the Salt Palace Convention Center and local hotels, not to mention finding an alternative venue, PyCon US 2023 will go on as planned in Salt Lake City. We understand that some community members may feel hesitant about joining us in Salt Lake City this year and hope that anyone not comfortable with attending in person will consider joining us at PyCon US 2023 virtually.
The PyCon US team will be researching local Salt Lake City organizations who support and provide resources to women, girls, and people from marginalized genders to team up with in order to promote inclusion and make the most of our community’s presence while in Salt Lake City. Feel free to make suggestions by emailing pycon-reg@python.org! PyCon US aims to empower all members of our community and foster a positive experience for all who participate.
We welcome and request input from the community on ways PyCon US can make an impact and create a safe environment for our attendees at PyCon US 2023. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or any questions about PyCon US, contact us by emailing pycon-reg@python.org.
Moving Forward
As mentioned before, PyCon US selects host cities beginning three to four years before the event with PyCon US 2024 and PyCon US 2025 contracted to take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The PyCon US team will begin host city selection for 2026-2027 this year and will be selecting a host city based upon these criteria. In addition, the PyCon US team will take local health care restrictions into consideration as well as any prevailing attitudes that could negatively affect the experience of our attendees. Our team will evaluate whether the state and city policies are non-discriminatory, safe, and inclusive for all, including people who can become pregnant, trans people and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and everyone else in our Python community. As learned through the planning of PyCon US 2023, we will move forward keeping in mind the challenge that policies and legislation can change from when the city is selected to the actual conference dates given the constantly changing political climate.
The PyCon US team would love to hear where our community would like to see PyCon US 2026 and PyCon US 2027 take place. Email pycon-reg@python.org to share your suggestions as well as any additional feedback for what we can do to ensure an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all.
The PyCon US team would love to hear where our community would like to see PyCon US 2026 and PyCon US 2027 take place. Email pycon-reg@python.org to share your suggestions as well as any additional feedback for what we can do to ensure an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all.
Written in collaboration with the PyCon US team and PyCon US Board Committee
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