Sierra supported KiCon 2019, and we're joyful about our decision. Here, we share our account of the event!
The KiCon Conference Series is an annual event dedicated to fostering the growth and innovation of KiCad, an open-source Electronics Design Automation (EDA) software suite widely used for hardware development and PCB design. Each year, KiCon serves as a gathering place for KiCad users, developers, and enthusiasts to discuss the software's current state and future development[1].
The conference, which started in 2019 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, is a significant platform for the global KiCad community—comprising hardware developers, makers, educators, and software developers—to share knowledge, collaborate on advancing the KiCad project, and promote open-source principles in electronics design[1].
KiCon offers a variety of sessions, including user presentations, developer talks, and workshops aimed at improving KiCad features and usability. The event is designed to demonstrate the inner workings of KiCad, offer classes teaching attendees how to optimize it for advanced product development, and facilitate discussions on designing for manufacturing within the limitations of manufacturers' capabilities[1].
One of the key highlights of KiCon is the diverse range of attendees. The event attracts PCB designers and KiCad users, from beginners to experts, and also those attending for networking purposes. In 2019, Sierra, a leading company in the electronics industry, sponsored the first KiCad users conference, KiCon 2019[1].
Amit Bahl, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Sierra, sees KiCon as a significant opportunity for Sierra to make an impact in hardware development with KiCad. He believes that KiCon is a place where innovation around hardware is happening, and Sierra can contribute to this innovation[1].
Chris Gammell, the organizer of KiCon, aims to continue making the event a platform for innovation in hardware development with KiCad. He started the event in 2019 with the goal of bringing together the developer and manufacturing community[1]. KiCon 2020 is expected to take place, according to Chris Gammell, and the second edition is expected to continue the tradition of fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange essential for advancing accessible hardware design tools[1].
In Europe, KiCad is considering hosting an event before KiCon 2020, marking a new step in the expansion of this community-driven event. With its focus on open-source hardware development, KiCon is described as "The first and the largest gathering of hardware developers using KiCad."[1]
Technology plays a vital role in the KiCon Conference Series, as it showcases the advancements and innovations in the open-source KiCad Electronics Design Automation software. This technology is essential for education and self-development in electronics design, providing a platform for attendees to learn and collaborate on projects that promote open-source principles in the field.
