KCDTexas

practitioners, SREs, and cloud native enthusiasts from across the state and beyond. Whether you’re just getting started with containers or are already operating production-grade Kubernetes environments, this event is designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Hosted in the heart of downtown Austin, at the award-winning Austin Public Library, KCD Texas offers a welcoming, inclusive space to explore the cutting edge of cloud native technologies. From breakout workshops and hands-on labs to thought-provoking keynotes and hallway conversations, this is a conference built by the community, for the community.

🎤 Keynote Spotlight: Ricardo Rocha, CERN

We’re thrilled to announce our keynote speaker: Ricardo Rocha, computing engineer and cloud native advocate at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Ricardo is internationally recognized for his work on cloud native infrastructure at scale, including how CERN uses Kubernetes to support scientific workloads and high-performance computing.

🛠️ Learn by Doing: Workshops & Hands-On Labs

In addition to talks, this year’s KCD Texas will feature interactive workshops and guided labs. These sessions are ideal for anyone who prefers learning by doing, and they'll cover everything from:
- GitOps and CI/CD pipelines with ArgoCD and Flux
- Building secure container images and implementing runtime security with tools like Falco and kube-bench
- Observability with OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, and Grafana
- Getting started with eBPF, Wasm, and the future of Kubernetes extensions

No matter your experience level, there’s something here for you. And because our workshops are led by engineers and maintainers actively building these tools, you’ll get direct access to experts who can answer your toughest questions.

🍽️ Free BBQ Lunch, Texas Style

We couldn’t call it a Texas community day without serving authentic BBQ, and we’re proud to say lunch is on the house for all registered attendees. Vegetarian options will be available as well, so everyone can enjoy a delicious mid-day break with fellow attendees. Lunch is more than just a meal — it’s a chance to meet others, share ideas, and maybe even launch your next collaboration.

🤝 Connect with the Cloud Native Community

At its core, KCD Texas is about people. Our goal is to foster real, meaningful connections between developers, operators, educators, maintainers, and students. This year, we’re building in more time than ever for networking, whether it’s during coffee breaks, our community lounge, or the sponsor expo. Come say hello to:
- CNCF project maintainers
- Meetup and community group organizers from across Texas
- Startup founders and hiring managers
- Newcomers eager to get their first Kubernetes job
- No matter who you are, you’ll find a welcoming group ready to connect, collaborate, and learn together.

🎁 Swag, Giveaways & Special Discounts

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we’re bringing more swag and giveaways than ever before. With over 15 sponsors already confirmed, you can expect:
- Free t-shirts, stickers, and laptop swag
- Technical demos and product showcases
- Raffles for hardware, cloud credits, and other goodies
- Exclusive discount codes for certifications, cloud native training, and more

We’re also excited to partner with the Linux Foundation Training & Certification team, who will be on-site offering:
- Free printed guides on Kubernetes, observability, and DevSecOps
- Discounted certification vouchers for attendees ready to take the next step
- One-on-one advice from training specialists, including Timothy Serewicz, who will be giving a talk and available
throughout the day to answer your career and learning questions



🏛️ An Iconic Venue in the Heart of Austin

This year’s event takes place at the Austin Central Library, an architecturally stunning venue recognized for its modern design and sustainability. Located in the downtown Seaholm District, it’s easily walkable from hotels, restaurants, and Austin’s vibrant tech hub. Amenities include:
- Large auditorium and breakout rooms with professional AV
- Rooftop garden for breaks and socializing
- On-site security and accessibility support
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the venue

We chose this space for a reason; it reflects the spirit of the community: open, creative, and built for collaboration.

💬 Talks Across Every Cloud Native Domain

Expect a packed schedule of breakout talks and lightning sessions from speakers across the cloud native ecosystem. Topics include:
- Platform Engineering: Internal developer platforms (IDPs), Kubernetes as a product, and platform maturity models
- Security & Compliance: SBOMs, zero trust, vulnerability scanning, and secure supply chains
- GitOps & CI/CD: Production GitOps patterns, ArgoCD vs Flux, and secure deployments
- Observability: Metrics, tracing, logging, and the rise of OpenTelemetry
- AI/ML on Kubernetes: How GPU workloads and MLOps are being containerized
- Edge & IoT: K3s, microK8s, and building for disconnected environments
- WASM and the Future of Extensibility: How projects like WasmEdge and Spin are changing cloud native runtimes

We have the full schedule, including speaker bios, at kcdtexas.org/schedule. Rest assured that the lineup reflects the diversity, curiosity, and technical excellence of the community.

👩‍💻 For Beginners and Experts Alike

Not sure if KCD Texas is right for you? If you fall into any of the categories below, the answer is yes:
- You're new to Kubernetes and want to learn from people who’ve been in your shoes
- You’re a seasoned SRE or DevOps engineer who wants to level up and stay current
- You're exploring cloud native careers and want to network with employers
- You're a student or bootcamp grad looking for real-world skills and mentorship
- You work in security, compliance, platform, or infra and want to hear how others are solving the same challenges
- You don’t need to be an expert to attend. Just come curious, open-minded, and ready to learn.

🧭 Logistics & Accessibility

We want to make attending KCD Texas 2025 as smooth and enjoyable as possible:
- Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (doors open at 8:15)
- Location: Austin Central Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX
- Public Transit: Easily accessible via bus and metro
- Parking: Available nearby in several garages and lots
- Accessibility: The venue is fully ADA-compliant, with elevators, ramps, and accessible seating
- Safety: On-site security and a Code of Conduct team will be present throughout the day

💙 Built By the Community, For the Community

KCD Texas is entirely organized by volunteers, folks who care deeply about growing the cloud native ecosystem here in Texas. We receive support from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), but the event itself is a local, grassroots effort. That means every ticket you buy, every sponsor you support, and every talk you attend helps make this event possible. We’re especially grateful for our 2025 organizing team, who include local meetup leaders, Kubernetes contributors, educators, and cloud-native advocates. And we’d love for you to get involved — whether you want to volunteer, speak next year, or bring KCD to your city.

🧾 Register Now & Join Us

Tickets for KCD Texas 2025 are on sale now and include:
- Full-day access to all talks, workshops, and keynotes
- Free lunch and coffee throughout the day
- Conference swag and giveaways
- Access to sponsor booths and networking opportunities
- Community lounge and quiet workspaces for breaks

👉 Register today at kcdtexas.org tickets are limited and this event is set to sell out. Let’s come together, learn together, and build the future of cloud native, right here in Texas.