For those of you that already know about the Big Android BBQ, you’re probably all ready to go with tickets already ordered and are eagerly awaiting the date to approach. We don’t blame you as it always sounds like a great time with lots of fun involved. For anyone else that isn’t quite sure what the event is about or has the knowledge on what the event is and provides but doesn’t quite yet have tickets, you’re in the right place as we’ll be going over what to expect at this year’s Big Android BBQ plus, give you a link to purchase tickets at a 20% discount which we’ll get into later.
First let’s get into a little bit of the background on the BABBQ and how it began. It started back in 2009 in a backyard and was a way to bring together developers and Android enthusiasts to share in their appreciation for the platform, as well as talk about upcoming new stuff and even share ideas. The initial goal was to get the online community of these developers and enthusiasts together in real life and enjoy some really great BBQ in a place where BBQ comes as a second nature, Texas. As the event grew with each passing year, it became more than just a gathering of shared Android OS enthusiasm. There will be plenty of things to learn at this year’s event just like there is every year, but there will also be plenty of fun. This will be BABBQ’s fifth anniversary so there’s bound to be tons of exciting things happening. Of course it is a BBQ, so there will be plenty of good old fashioned Texas BBQ to eat too. There will be a big handful of speakers this year, ranging from developers, software designers, people that create apps for Google Glass, people in hardware, and even theming. Something that I love to do with my Android devices. With such a varied range of speakers, it shouldn’t surprise that the session topics will cover information on Android development, theming, Google Glass, figurine customization, smartwatches, and more.
The speakers include Daniel Ward who is a senior software engineer who teaches mobile development at the University of New Orleans, Steve Kondik and Roman Birg from Cyanogen Inc., Matt Runo who is a developer at Zappos and will be covering developing apps for the Amazon Kindle, Linton Ye from Jimu Labs who will be covering on designing and developing for Android apps, Cecilia Abadie from 33 Labs who will be covering building your first Android Wear tutorial, Andrew Dyer from Chai One who will be covering automated testing for modern Android apps, Jon Bauerle from Downbeat Technical Services who will be covering five more of his own rules for Android support, Mark Sheel from Digital Construction who will be covering Pro Android testing, Dan Lew from Fog Creek Software, Joshua Brown who is currently a key member of the Android team at Pandora, Matt Abdou from WinkLogic, Stacy Wylie from Oceus Networks, Jay Freeman from Cydia Substrate and Cycript, Nikhil Kaul from Smartbear, Michael Leahy from TyphonRT, Nathan Grebowiec from Unstable Apps, Joey Grover from Livio, and Joseph Cohen from kiddoEMR. That’s a lot of speakers, so you can bet there will be a lot of stuff to learn as these people will be there to educate the attendees on a broad range of topics.
Now for the tickets. As we stated before you’ll still be able to get tickets to the event, and we have the link for you right here where you can grab them with our 20% discount. Ticket packages start from General Admission which includes access to a myriad of sessions, open access to the Expo Hall where some hands on demonstrations will be happening, and access to the welcome pool party and after party where there will be all you can eat BBQ, naturally. Next up is the Ice Cream Sandwich ticket package, which includes all of the previous stuff plus a single reserved seat at the keynote, plus an expedited registration process when you arrive, plus an event shot glass with design of the ICS package etched on the side. Next is the Jelly Bean package, which includes everything prior, plus a private lunch event for both days of the event where event staff and other VIPs will be located, capable of eating in a private relaxed setting. Next up is the Kit Kat package, sadly this one sold out so we won’t be covering what you get with that one, although you can still check it out on the ticket page if you’d like. Lastly there is the BBQ[X] package, which gets you everything from all previous packages, plus a personal chauffeur(BABBQ founder Aaron Kasten)who will pick you up at the airport wearing a monocle and top hat, holding a tablet displaying your name so you can pick him out from the all other monocle and top hats hanging around. You also get booked a first class flight, (continental United States only)a room in the Hyatt Hotel, a chauffeured trip to your choice of drive thru restaurant before being taken to the hotel, which will have a welcome package waiting for you in the room, and you get some pretty awesome golf cart service between the event and the hotel and plenty of other exclusives.
To touch point on the last couple of things, the Big Android BBQ isn’t just about fun and education about all things Android, and of course BBQ. It’s also about giving back, something that has become a tradition of the event. What we mean by this is that BABBQ works with a charity or cause each year to help donate, and this year they’re working with an organization they have worked with before called the Rapha House which works to help rescue women from the chains of slavery, sex trafficking, and exploitation. There will also be a developer contest this year, where the goal is to create a Big Android BBQ themed game for the event. development started August 18th so if you’re just now reading this you might be a little behind, but you still have time as entries can be submitted through September 19th. From Sep. 20th through the 30th, judges will decide the winners, and sometime on or before Oct 3rd the winners of the Grand Prize as well as runners up will be announced. If you’re interested in participating in that there isn’t a lot of time left, so we’d recommend heading to the contest page for BABBQ and reading the guidelines and judging criteria. The prizes are tickets to the event with 1st prize(grand prize) being one of the sold out kit kat package tickets, there will be two consolations prizes which are Jelly Bean package tickets, and original entries all receive a General Admission ticket. If you’re interested in going to the event you can grab your tickets here from this link, which contains the 20% off discount code.
