The Stachka 2024 conference brought together thousands of professionals from the IT and business worlds, creating a platform for sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences. We’d like to share the insights we gained and how they impacted our work.
About the Stachka Conference
Stachka 2024 is one of the largest regional IT events in Russia, attracting thousands of participants from various fields of technology and business. In 2024, it was held in two cities: April 12-13 in Ulyanovsk and September 27-28 in St. Petersburg.
The conference gathers IT specialists, entrepreneurs, marketers, designers, and anyone involved in digital technologies. The program featured over 200 presentations and 55 sessions on development, project management, design, and digital marketing. Speakers focused on the latest technologies and industry trends, often presenting innovative startups.
A unique aspect of the conference is its emphasis on regional IT communities. It offers an opportunity not just for residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg but also for professionals from other cities in Russia and the CIS to connect with leading experts and the latest trends in the field. This year, the agenda was packed with workshops, interactive exhibitions, and networking zones.
Since its inception in 2012, Stachka has become a popular venue for IT professionals, emphasizing the value of practical knowledge and interactive approaches. For students, startups, and IT specialists, Stachka is a chance to learn and make their mark through pitches and competitions held during the conference.
What goals did we set at Stachka 2024, and why was it necessary?
Conferences are always a precious opportunity to elevate the team, share experiences, expand networks, and gain insights into the market. Our team members did not want to miss out and traveled to St. Petersburg with the following goals in mind:
Stay Updated on the Latest Trends in the IT Industry
Knowledge has never been more crucial, especially for us as a rapidly growing IT company. Staying competitive and adapting to market changes helps keep our team and company agile, allowing us to discover new growth opportunities. Additionally, learning about startups fosters openness to collaboration and partnerships.
Focus on Development
A well-trained team is key to a successful company. Specialists who continually learn bring fresh ideas to the business, helping improve processes and products. At Stachka, speakers offered access to relevant knowledge, technologies, and methodologies that assist us in navigating the industry and enhancing our productivity as employees.
Valuable Networking
As a four-year-old company, we have built strong relationships with excellent clients, and meeting them in person, rather than just through calls, is always a pleasure. Participating in the conference is an ideal way to exchange experiences with like-minded colleagues. For our sales team, it’s an opportunity not just to observe the market but to engage with it actively—possibly even to seize new or vacated niches. We strive to learn from industry leaders while sharing our successes.
Why is it important for PlaysDev?
Firstly, participating in the conference allowed us to make our presence known among other market players. In a highly competitive environment, it’s vital to show that we’re not just observers but active participants. Stachka 2024 was a relaxed networking event where, over a cup of coffee, we could discuss ideas and projects that could lead to concrete collaboration proposals.
The Benefits of the Conference for Our Team
Every conference opens up opportunities for growth, and Stachka was no exception. It’s not just about lectures and presentations; it’s a vibrant network of contacts that can benefit the company. For us, it was a chance to step away from the office routine, gain new perspectives on our work, forge new connections, and enhance our company’s image.
At Stachka, a special focus was placed on work-life balance, and we were very satisfied with the conference. In addition to lectures, there were many engaging activities, blending theory with practical training.
Anastasia
“The networking zones are a treasure trove of useful contacts! My main takeaway? Always have business cards ready or, like us, create QR codes on lanyards for quick connections on Telegram. Don’t hesitate to start conversations—your opening line doesn’t have to be work-related; a compliment can spark a great discussion. I particularly enjoyed the time management track, which offered excellent tips for maintaining productivity amid a high volume of tasks. The organization was top-notch, allowing me to learn new things while also relaxing—the conference atmosphere was super friendly!”
Elizaveta
“This was my first Stachka, and I was very pleased! The scale of the event is truly impressive. The roundtable discussions on soft skills were particularly memorable, providing useful information on building trust with clients. The conference is perfect for making new acquaintances and reconnecting with old colleagues and clients I’ve only seen on screen. Networking is an undeniable advantage that we should always strive for, and this conference provides that opportunity. After all, people are the most valuable asset in our work! The colleagues around me were easygoing and comfortable to be with, allowing for both learning and a refreshing break. My only wish is that we had more time for discussing practical case studies, but overall, everything was fantastic!”
Vasily
“For me, Stachka was less about the presentations and more about strategic insights and new collaborations. Events like this are crucial to our strategy. We had more opportunities for networking, as Stachka gathered participants from various countries and regions of Russia—a significant advantage over similar events”.
For PlaysDev, participating in Stachka is not just a chance to represent the company; it’s a strategic move. We were able to assess our strengths and market position, compare ourselves to others, and identify areas for improvement.
Plans for the Future
Events like this not only inspire us but also help us stay updated on the latest trends, ensuring we don’t fall behind. Will we continue to participate in similar conferences? Absolutely.
It’s essential for us that each conference visit yields something new and practically applicable. We already have a couple of ideas lined up for next year:
- Highload++ (Moscow)—a must for those working with high-load systems. We want to send a team to delve into scalability and infrastructure management questions. The professionals gathered here ensure that it won’t be wasted time.
- DevOpsConf Russia—if your company is transitioning to DevOps or looking to enhance existing processes, this event is essential. Given our focus on automation and agile methodologies, it will be interesting to learn how other companies tackle their challenges and what tools they use.
- IT Leaders Summit (Moscow)—a conference for heads of IT departments and top executives to discuss management strategies, the relevance of automation, and digital transformation. Networking included.
- CIO Forum (Kazan)—an event for leaders to discuss IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, new technologies, and best practices in strategic management.
Conclusion
The positive feedback from our employees, their eagerness to continue attending conferences, and the collaborations established are strong motivators for us to seek out new, exciting, and beneficial events in the IT sector.