Behind the Curtain. A Theatrical Recap of Wey Wey Web 2024

Hi everyone another year!

It’s time for some personal reflections on the third edition of Wey Wey Web, which took place from November 27th to 29th at a new venue, the Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático de Málaga (ESAD). We believe in being transparent, celebrating the highs, and learning from the lows—because that’s how we grow! So, here’s a peek behind the scenes.

A Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Once again, Wey Wey Web proved its global appeal by welcoming an international audience that surpassed the number of attendees from Spain. This is a remarkable achievement for a Málaga-based conference with such a distinctly malagueño essence. These numbers highlight not just the interest in the unique mix of design and code that WWW offers, but also Málaga’s rising status as a major tech hub in Europe.

We’re especially proud of the progress made toward creating a more inclusive and diverse community. This year, 69% of our audience came from abroad, and our commitment to representation shone through in our speaker lineup, with 58% being women or non-binary individuals, matching last year’s excellent stats. As for attendees, the percentage of women grew slightly, from 36% in 2023 to 37% this year—small but meaningful steps in the right direction.

With the support of Yes We Tech, we remain dedicated to fostering an inclusive and inspiring space where diverse voices and perspectives thrive. This shared commitment is what makes Wey Wey Web more than just a conference—it’s a movement for positive change in tech.

The Venue: New Challenges, New Opportunities

Moving to ESAD was an exciting but complex challenge. Sharing spaces with the school and its students, or artists better said, brought a unique set of surprises, from navigating through the building to managing shared facilities like restrooms (yes, we know some were messy and ran out of paper—lesson learned). Despite the hurdles, we’re grateful for the opportunity and the charm of the space, even if there’s room to improve on coordination.

A special mention goes to two of those students, Nayna & David, who added a unique, artistic and entertaining touch to our conference intervals.

The Food Chronicles: A Love-Hate Story

Ah, food—our Achilles’ heel this year. While the catering team worked hard, we ran into delays during lunch service, some plates were missing (sorry about the pies and second dishes!), and the breakfasts didn’t fully deliver the Málaga vibes we had envisioned. And yes, we missed the camperos we had agreed upon but never received. Not our proudest moment, but we’ll definitely come back stronger (and with a happier stomach) next year on this front.

A Wave of Positive Vibes

Now, onto what really matters: the talks, the workshops, and the community spirit. The feedback we received shows we’re on the right track, with many attendees praising the inspiring content and the welcoming atmosphere they felt throughout the event. Here are some of the key numbers displayed through our surveys:

Event rating: 8/10 Staff rating: 9/10 Venue rating: 7/10 (honestly, we expected worse given the hiccups—thank you for your patience!) Would recommend the event: 8/10 Fulfilled expectations: 7.5/10

Not bad, right? We’re especially proud that the core values of WWW continue to shine through in the feedback.

Highlights from the Stage

According to attendee feedback, the top-rated talk of this edition was Léonie Watson’s thought-provoking closing keynote, AI and Accessibility: the Good, the Bad, and the Bollocks. Léonie’s blend of insight and humor captivated the audience, making it a memorable finale to the conference.

Close behind was Christine Vallaure’s Breaking Barriers: Understanding Layout Between UI Design and Code, which provided a seamless bridge between design and development. Dean Schuster’s Indispensable Principles for Designing Complex User Interfaces also stood out for its practical wisdom, while Julia Miocene’s Character Modeling in CSS impressed with its creativity and depth. Lastly, Steve Ruiz brought innovation to the forefront with his talk tldraw and AI on the Canvas, exploring the exciting intersection of design and artificial intelligence.

These talks reflect the diverse and cutting-edge content that makes Wey Wey Web an essential event for UI enthusiasts everywhere.

Financials: Almost There!

This year, we almost managed to cover all the costs, including salaries, with just a small loss of €1,000. It’s a big step forward, and we’re optimistic about breaking even next time.

What’s Next?

We’re taking everything we’ve learned—from the restroom situation to the catering logistics—and channeling it into creating a smoother, even more delightful experience for you next year. Expect better food, clearer logistics, and, of course, the same YayYay vibes that define Wey Wey Web.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their thoughts, and helped make this event special. We’re already planning for 2025 and can’t wait to see you again!

Much love and a YayYay Christmas to everyone!