BackstageCon started in 2022 as the primary devoted convention for the Backstage ecosystem, bringing collectively adopters and contributors across the open supply developer portal platform initially created at Spotify. As cloud native adoption continues to scale, platform engineering and inner developer portals have grow to be crucial to managing the rising complexity of Kubernetes, microservices, and distributed techniques.
Proper now, cloud native adoption is colliding with AI-accelerated software program supply. Groups can generate and ship code quicker than they will preserve possession, documentation, safety, and operational readability. BackstageCon issues as a result of the neighborhood wants shared patterns for making the portal and catalog the trusted context layer that AI copilots and brokers can safely use — with golden paths, standardized metadata, and governance on the core.
Who will get probably the most out of attending this occasion?
BackstageCon is particularly precious for platform engineering and inner developer platform groups constructing or working Backstage in manufacturing. These groups will acquire sensible patterns for scaling Backstage throughout giant organizations, from catalog construction and governance to plugin ecosystems, observability, and AI integration.
Practitioners already operating Backstage will profit from real-world case research and operational classes. AI-forward organizations will see tips on how to handle fashions, brokers, and AI workflows as first-class entities throughout the developer portal. Maintainers and plugin builders can higher perceive ecosystem path and integration greatest practices. Newcomers will stroll away with a transparent image of what mature, production-grade Backstage implementations appear like and the place the challenge is heading.
What’s new and totally different this 12 months?
This 12 months brings a stronger give attention to AI and the way it intersects with platform engineering. Periods resembling Agentic Backstage: Tips on how to Handle an AI Software program Catalog and Fashionable AI IDP: The Backstage + Kubeflow Manner mirror a shift towards integrating AI workflows, fashions, and brokers instantly into the inner developer platform.
There may be additionally expanded emphasis on developer expertise and ecosystem maturity. Matters resembling runtime plugins, platform CLIs, and constructing a wholesome Backstage plugin ecosystem spotlight a transfer past preliminary adoption towards long-term sustainability and extensibility. Observability stays a key theme, with periods exploring tips on how to instrument Backstage with OpenTelemetry and apply production-grade practices to the portal itself.
What’s going to the day appear like?
The day begins with welcome remarks adopted by keynotes and practitioner talks exploring unified developer expertise, Backstage philosophy, and the challenges of scaling platforms in an AI-enabled world.
Mid-morning periods embrace lightning talks, sponsored keynotes, and deeper technical discussions on scaling Backstage and managing AI-oriented software program catalogs. After lunch, the main target shifts to extra superior technical periods overlaying observability, runtime plugins, case research, and platform tooling.
All through the day, attendees can anticipate panel discussions, lightning talks, and networking breaks that encourage neighborhood interplay and information sharing. The occasion concludes with closing remarks that tie collectively the day’s insights and themes.
Ought to I do any homework first?
Whereas no prior expertise is required, some background information will make it easier to get extra worth from the day. A primary understanding of Backstage — together with the software program catalog, plugins, and templates — is useful. Familiarity with platform engineering ideas and inner developer platforms may also present helpful context.
Working information of cloud native applied sciences resembling Kubernetes, CI/CD, and microservices will make the technical periods simpler to observe. For AI-focused periods, it’s useful to know how organizations are operationalizing AI and machine studying workloads, together with fashions, brokers, and pipelines.
It will also be helpful to mirror by yourself group’s developer expertise challenges earlier than attending. Many talks give attention to governance, scaling, and real-world manufacturing classes, so having your personal context in thoughts will make it simpler to use what you be taught.
Discover your neighborhood!
BackstageCon strengthens the neighborhood by bringing collectively adopters, maintainers, and contributors in an area devoted completely to Backstage and platform engineering. It creates alternatives to share manufacturing tales, floor widespread challenges, and align on greatest practices.
By spotlighting plugin improvement, governance, and maintainer views, the occasion helps a wholesome and sustainable ecosystem. As cloud native and AI complexity develop, BackstageCon gives a discussion board for collaboration and shared studying, serving to groups transfer ahead along with clearer patterns and a stronger sense of path.
Don’t neglect to register for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026.
