Why Developers Keep Showing Up IRL (and What Brands Can Learn)
- Luqi Liu
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
By Luqi Liu, Strategy Associate
Developers are eager for hands-on, human-centered experiences.
Attendance at developer events is surging, showing strong demand for real-life connections.
For brands, events are trust-building engines, not just marketing checkpoints.
When the Energy Lights Up the Room
The lights dim, the hum of laptops fades, and suddenly it’s not about code anymore, it’s about people. Developers gather not just to learn, but to belong. In a world where AI takes care of the predictable, these rooms are where curiosity thrives. At the events we’ve helped shape this year, the story has been the same: 90% of participants leaving glowing feedback, with hundreds of registrants per event moving straight into client nurture streams. It’s a groundswell of community energy that refuses to be automated.
The numbers tell a story, but it’s the energy in the room that makes it real. Picture rows of laptops open, developers swapping notes while a product team member leans over to answer a question. This scene is repeating everywhere.
Attendance at Databricks Summit, for instance, surged from 16,000 in 2024 to 22,000 in 2025. Local developer meetups hosted through Lu.ma are drawing hundreds of sign-ups, filling community spaces with people hungry for shared discovery. And across the industry, 57% of event organizers reported higher attendance in 2024, while over half of B2B marketers confirmed in-person events as their most effective channel.
For developers, events are no longer about sitting quietly while someone flips through slides. They’re about touching the product, testing features, and having conversations that stick. Data points like 90% positive feedback reflect how developers want to feel connected to the tools and communities that shape their work.
Curiosity as Currency
AI might be accelerating change, but it’s also making the human side of work more valuable. We’ve seen developers show up not only to learn, but to recharge. Events are evolving into playgrounds for experimentation—spaces where curiosity gets rewarded, and inspiration flows from peer-to-peer exchanges as much as from keynote stages. It’s less about watching, more about doing.
For brands, the takeaway is clear: events are no longer “nice-to-have.” They’re trust accelerators. They create a place for developers to see, touch, and believe in what you’re building. They foster loyalty that can’t be replicated in a webinar or a whitepaper. Each handshake, demo, and side conversation adds up to something bigger: credibility earned through authenticity.
Beyond the Swag
Developers don’t keep showing up for the free swag (though let’s be honest, the socks are nice). They keep coming because these moments, the side chats in hallways, the hands-on demos, the spark of recognition when someone shares their struggle, can’t be replicated online. In a digital-first world, real connection feels like a luxury. At events, it feels like oxygen.
Ready to turn your next developer event into more than a box-checking exercise? Catchy helps brands create experiences that leave developers inspired, connected, and talking long after the lights come up. Let’s build something unforgettable together. Reach out and let’s talk strategy.