Blue Ridge Ruby
A brand-new, regional Ruby conference in the mountains of western North Carolina
What is Blue Ridge Ruby?
Blue Ridge Ruby is a two-day, single-track conference featuring ten speakers, plus lightning talks. The conference will be held at the historic Masonic Temple in downtown Asheville on Thursday, June 8th and Friday, June 9th. We will have optional group activities around Asheville on Saturday, June 10th. Hosted by Jeremy Smith and Mark Locklear.
What to Expect
Small-conference feel
With a cozy venue and single-track schedule, we’re aiming to keep it relaxed and intimate.
Welcoming community
No matter your background or skill level, if you love working with Ruby, you’ll belong.
Historic venue
Enjoy two days in a beautiful, historic theater where arguably the best Tom Petty cover was performed.
Walkable downtown
We’ll be right in downtown Asheville, within blocks of great hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and tap rooms. See our recommendations.
Open lunch
Lunch will be open and un-catered. We’ll provide a long break so you can explore Asheville’s amazing food scene.
Weekend fun
If you stick around for the weekend, you can join one of our optional group activities on Saturday!
The Program
Maintenance Matters: Maintaining Your Rails App and Your Sanity
RSpec: The Bad Parts
A Journey Through the Sorbet Pipeline
Go Pro with POROs
Making Ruby Fast(er)
Enough Coverage To Beat The Band
Forecasting the Future: An Introduction to Machine Learning for Weather Prediction in Native Ruby
How can I move forward when I don’t know where I want to go?
Empathetic Pair Programming with Nonviolent Communication
Digital Identity or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Web3
Saturday Activities
Since you’re in Asheville for the conference, it would be a shame not to stay for the weekend, right? 😉
Join us for post-conference group activities on Saturday, June 10th! If you are visiting town with a friend, family member, or significant other, you are encouraged to register them as well and bring them with you!
Check out the four options below and register or RSVP.
Touring Biltmore House & Estate
Spend the day touring Biltmore house, gardens and grounds. Built by a Vanderbilt heir around 1900, this is still the largest privately-owned home in the country (though it’s current owners live elsewhere on the 7,000 acre campus). The estate includes a winery, extensive formal and informal gardens, dining, hiking trails, shopping, and, of course, the house. The self-guided house tour runs about 2 hours, and there’s plenty to see and do around the estate. If you’ve not been before, we highly recommend it! Beautiful architecture and landscapes, and fascinating history.
- Cost: $90/person
- Time: 9:00am-4:30pm
- Lunch: Not included, but multiple dining options available on Biltmore grounds
Please register by Friday, May 12th to secure your spot!
Tubing on the French Broad River
Take a 2–3 hour lazy float down the French Broad River, which winds through the heart of Asheville. (Fun fact: the French Broad is one of the oldest rivers in the world and one of very few that flow north!) Wear a swim suit and flip flops or river shoes, and bring your own beverages (cans only) and snacks.
- Cost: $30/person
- Time: 1:00pm-4:30pm
Please register by Friday, May 12th to secure your spot!
Hiking at Graveyard Fields
Drive south along the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping occasionally to enjoy scenic overlooks. Then hike to the waterfalls at Graveyard Fields, and eat lunch on the trail, before heading back to town.
- Cost: Free
- Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
- Lunch: Stopping to pick up lunch on way out of town
Touring Wicked Weed
Tour Wicked Weed Brewpub, one of Asheville’s most popular breweries and “the second most visited tourist attraction in Asheville after the Biltmore Estate.”
- Cost: Free
- Time: TBD (tours are 45 minutes and run every hour from 1:00pm to 5:00pm)
Tours must be scheduled the week of the conference. Please RSVP to indicate your interest and we will do our best on the scheduling!
Looking for something else? You’re always welcome to plan your own excursions! You‘ll be able to do this in the conference Slack #social-plans channel.
Sponsor Blue Ridge Ruby
None of this can happen with out industry support! Please reach out to Jeremy Smith or Mark Locklear if you can help. Here is more information:
Scholarships
We are offering 10 free scholarship tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. These scholarships are aimed at helping those who might not otherwise be able to attend. We are especially interested in helping students and individuals from underrepresented groups. If you are interested, please fill out a scholarship application.
