Summer is slowly fading, and that means one thing: the PostgreSQL conference season in Europe is officially back. After PGDay Austria on September 4 and PGDay UK on September 9, the next stop was PGDay Lowlands in Rotterdam on September 12. Three conferences in such a short time is a clear sign that the community is back in full swing after the summer break. And honestly—it felt great to be part of it again.
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My conference adventure began a little earlier than the official start. I first traveled from Austria to Belgium to visit our partner Zebanza together with Jan Karremans. We met at their new office at Piros (in Everberg) for a strategic alignment session. It’s always rewarding to step out of the online bubble and sit together in person—discussing strategy, exchanging ideas, and building stronger ties.
From there, our journey continued to Amsterdam for a customer meeting, followed by another strategy session with our partner Nibble IT.
The plan sounded simple: hop on one train, work a bit along the way, and arrive fresh and prepared. But the Dutch railway system had other ideas. The direct connection was canceled, and we ended up taking four trains instead of one.
What could have been a stressful detour actually turned into a positive surprise. It gave me more time to enjoy the ride, watch the changing landscapes of Belgium and the Netherlands, and reflect on the upcoming days. Sometimes, detours are exactly what you need.
The official start of PGDay Lowlands happened the evening before the main event, with the warmup meetup. It combined short talks, pizza, and drinks—a casual setting that perfectly set the stage for the main conference.
For me, this was the first moment to reconnect with familiar faces from the PostgreSQL community, meet new ones, and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere.
Jan Karremans also gave a Lightning Talk during the meetup, introducing the Open Alliance for PostgreSQL Education. The announcement that the initiative had officially received the green light to start was fantastic news and sparked a lot of excitement among attendees. It’s always inspiring to see how the PostgreSQL community embraces projects that make knowledge more accessible.
Now, let’s talk about the conference itself—because it was truly extraordinary. PGDay Lowlands was hosted at the Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam.
Having a conference in such a unique venue added an unforgettable flavor to the event. The walk from the hotel to the venue already set the tone: we literally passed under sharks and alongside sea lions on the way in. Even the exhibitor hall was special, featuring a giant aquarium window where turtles, sharks, and fish swam past as we talked with attendees.
CYBERTEC had a booth at the event. This created plenty of opportunities to connect with existing customers, and introduce ourselves to new community members. The zoo setting also made conversations feel more relaxed and memorable—there’s something about discussing databases while elephants or giraffes are nearby that you just don’t forget.
And for me personally, the zoo provided the perfect setting for another milestone: I gave my first-ever Lightning Talk titled “The PostgreSQL Village”. Standing next to elephants while preparing my talk about community contributions is an experience I’ll never forget.
One of the refreshing aspects of PGDay Lowlands this year was the introduction of new formats. In addition to the traditional talks, the organizers added 25-minute sessions and debates to the schedule.
This mix gave speakers flexibility in how they presented their topics and allowed the audience to dive deeper into discussions. A highlight was seeing Guy Giles (Senior database architect at Zebanza) participate in one of the debates—a fantastic example of how our partners are actively shaping the conversation in the PostgreSQL ecosystem.
Another highlight was that the entire event was streamed live on YouTube, making it accessible to people who couldn’t attend in person. And for anyone who missed it, the recordings are still available online, which is a great way to catch up on sessions.
The conference opened with a talk by Jimmy Angelakos, who gave a heartfelt tribute to the late Simon Riggs. Jimmy reflected on Simon Riggs' vision about PostgreSQL and reminded us all of the importance of carrying his vision forward into the next 20 years. It was a powerful way to set the tone for the day.
Throughout the program, the mix of technical deep-dives, community-focused sessions, and open debates created an atmosphere of learning and collaboration. Whether you were a developer, DBA, or community contributor, there was something valuable to take away.
One of the things that always stands out at PostgreSQL events is the sense of community. PGDay Lowlands was no exception.
From casual conversations over coffee to deep technical discussions after talks, the event was full of opportunities to connect. The warmup meetup, the debates, the Lightning Talks—all of it emphasized that PostgreSQL is not just about technology, but about people coming together to build something greater than themselves.
For me personally, stepping onto the stage for my first Lightning Talk was both nerve-wracking and rewarding. With this short talk I reminded everyone there that a contribution to PostgreSQL doesn’t always mean writing code. Sharing knowledge, encouraging others, and helping newcomers find their path is just as valuable.
PGDay Lowlands 2025 was truly a conference to remember. From the unique zoo venue and the inspiring talks to the lively debates and community meetups, everything came together to create an atmosphere of learning, sharing, and celebration.
Special thanks go to the organizers and the talk selection committee for putting together such a fantastic program. The attention to detail, the diversity of sessions, and the welcoming atmosphere made it an outstanding experience for everyone involved.
For me, this was not just another conference. It was a milestone—a first step into public speaking, a chance to connect with partners and customers, and a reminder of why the PostgreSQL community is so unique.
I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity—see you at PostgreSQL Conference Europe in Riga!
More Pictures from PGDay Lowlands: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pgdaylowlands/posts/?feedView=all
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