PyLadiesCon 2025 Kick off message (#317)

* PyLadiesCon 2025 Kick off message

* Add YouTube url and image

* Change publish date

Author: Mariatta

public/images/posts/PyLadiesCon_begins_1.png

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+---
+title: "PyLadiesCon Begins"
+meta_title: "PyLadiesCon Begins"
+description: "We're excited to welcome you at PyLadiesCon 2025 and kick-off all of our keynotes, talks, panels, and workshops.
+Get ready for a weekend of engaging sessions at PyLadiesCon 2025!
+"
+date: 2025-12-04T05:00:00Z
+image: "/images/posts/PyLadiesCon_begins_1.png"
+categories: ["Blog Post",]
+authors: ["Mariatta"]
+tags: ["python", "community", "conference", "public speaking", "pyladies"]
+draft: false
+---
+
+
+We're excited to welcome you at PyLadiesCon 2025 and kick-off all of our keynotes, talks, panels, and workshops.
+Get ready for a weekend of engaging sessions at PyLadiesCon 2025!
+
+Here are a few important details on how to join and participate.
+
+### Register for the conference
+
+First of all, please [register](https://pretix.eu/pyladiescon/2025/) for the conference to get access to all the sessions.
+
+### Our conference schedule
+
+Check the full [conference schedule](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/schedule/) to find out when the talks, keynotes, panels, and workshops will be happening.
+Note that the default timezone is in UTC, and you can switch the timezone to your local timezone.
+
+### How to watch the talks
+
+Our sessions are streamed as [a playlist](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOItnwPQ-eHxvEOnu1MsRX_qkX7dyXAZS&si=DmREHdbdMuMZ4lMx) on YouTube.
+
+While you can watch the talks directly on YouTube, we ask that you also register for the conference so it helps us
+understand our audience better.
+
+Each of our pre-recorded videos and talks have been transcribed by our volunteers, and you can access the transcription
+by clicking the "CC" button on the video, or by clicking the "Show Transcript" button on each video's description.
+
+Although most of our talks are in English, we do have several presentations in other languages, like in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, and Japanese.
+For these talks, transcript in their original language are available, and additionally our volunteers have translated them into English.
+You can access the English transcript translation by clicking the "Settings" (Gear) icon on YouTube > CC/Subtitles > English.
+
+For sessions that are conducted live (like the keynotes, and panel discussions), the automatic captioning is available from YouTube as well.
+
+### Join us on Discord
+
+This is our main communication channel where you will be able to engage with other attendees.
+After [registering](https://pretix.eu/pyladiescon/2025/) to the conference, you will have full access to Discord. Please read [this page](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/attending/) for details on how to join.
+
+Use the Discord ``#main-stream`` channel to chat and discuss the talks with other audiences. Many of our speakers will be around to answer questions about their talk asynchronously.
+
+### Participating in Workshops
+
+Our interactive workshops are hosted on Discord on the ``#activities-open-spaces`` and ``#activities-open-spaces` channels. Simply show up and join the channel to participate! Note that workshops are not recorded.
+
+### Ask Python Core Devs
+
+We are honored to have a few Python core developers participating in our conference and they be happy to answer any questions you have, from their career path, open source contribution experience, to their favorite ice cream flavor. Join them in the ``#ask-core-devs`` channel.
+
+### Sprint
+
+Contribute to open source during the sprints. Our sprint and project leaders will be able to help you pick an issue,
+set up your development environment, and show you the contribution workflow.
+You may also be encouraged to pair up with someone to contribute together.
+
+The sprint starts on Sunday after the conference closing.
+
+Check the [Sprints](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/sprints/) page for more details.
+
+### Open Space
+
+An Open Space is a dynamic, self-organized session where attendees come together to discuss topics, collaborate on projects, learn new skills, or just networking in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
+
+Learn more about [Open Space](https://conference.pyladies.com/docs/speakers/open_space/) at PyLadiesCon. If you want to lead an open space session, apply for it [here](https://pretalx.com/pyladiescon-2025/cfp?access_code=GJG3WCSWNSESYNDUBMD7ZXVWAZKFXBHDopenspaces).
+
+### Thank you to our sponsors
+
+Thanks to our sponsors, this year we raised more than 50,000 USD in sponsorships. This is more than twice of the amount
+raised from the previous two years combined!
+
+Thank you especially to our Champion Sponsor, [Meta](https://meta.com/), and our Supporter Sponsors: [Anaconda](https://www.anaconda.com/), [Kraken Technologies](https://kraken.tech/), [Google Open Source](https://opensource.google/), [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/), and [Optiver](https://optiver.com/).
+
+Our sponsors have contributed various talks, [blog posts](https://conference.pyladies.com/categories/blog-post/),
+and workshops to the conference. Be sure to watch their sessions, visit their channel on Discord, and thank them for their support.
+
+### Donate to PyLadiesCon
+
+There is still time to [donate](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/donate/) to PyLadiesCon. Our event is free, however you can further support our mission by
+donating.
+
+We have created a special Discord role for those who have donated through our registration process, where you get a special 💰 (moneybag) emoji next to your name on Discord.
+If you have donated and don't see this emoji on Discord, please let us know and we'll get that sorted out.
+
+### Donation Goals
+
+At  the time of writing, we've raised $1,600.00 in donations through our conference registration. Thank you!!! 🙌
+Can you help us make it to **$2,500.00**?
+
+### Looking for a job/have a job posting?
+
+Check our [Job Board](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/jobs/).
+
+### Nominate an Outstanding PyLady
+
+Know a PyLady in your community who has done amazing work? Nominate them for the
+[Outstanding PyLady Award](https://kit.pyladies.com/en/latest/global/award.html). Nominations are accepted year-round, however for recognition at PyCon US 2026, nominations must be received by December 31, 2025.
+
+### Spread the Word!
+
+Invite your friends, colleagues, and anyone interested in Python to join us at
+PyLadiesCon 2025. Let’s make this an unforgettable celebration of diversity, learning,
+and community in Python. Use the conference hashtag `#PyLadiesCon` on your favorite social media platform to share your experience!
+
+### Watch our Conference Dashboard
+
+Check interesting stats and data about PyLadiesCon on our [Conference Dashboard](https://2025.conference.pyladies.com/en/dashboard/).
+The data gets updated in real-time during the conference.
+
+Happy Conferencing! 🎉