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T3CON Through the Years: A TYPO3 Conference Retrospective

Categories: Community, Association, TYPO3 CMS Created by Luana Valentini
Discover the evolution of the TYPO3 Conference, from its grassroots beginnings in 2005 to a global hub for innovation and collaboration.

From a developer-heavy meet-up to a global event drawing hundreds, the TYPO3 Conference – widely known as T3CON – has been a cornerstone of the TYPO3 community calendar for nearly two decades. Here’s a walk down memory lane, exploring how T3CON has grown alongside the CMS it celebrates, transforming with every city, attendee, and new vision it encounters.

The Early Years (2005-2009): A Developer Gathering with Big Ideas

In 2005, the first-ever TYPO3 Conference took place in Karlsruhe, Germany, attracting around 200 attendees from the CMS's growing community. Originally dubbed TYCON3, the early conferences were hands-on gatherings of agencies and early adopters exploring how to expand TYPO3 beyond its European roots – setting TYPO3 apart as a powerful, adaptable CMS in an era when open-source content management was still in its infancy.

“Back in 2005, it felt like we were laying the foundation for something big – but none of us could have imagined how far TYPO3 and the conference would go," 

recalls Ingo Schmitt of the agency Marketing Factory, one of the attendees at the very first TYCON3. 

"We spent hours in discussions, and it was clear even then that the TYPO3 community was something special. Long-lasting professional relationships and friendships began back then in Karlsruhe." 

At that inaugural event, Ingo himself hosted a session titled 'Pushing TYPO3 3.7.0 to Its Performance Limits.’

Press release for the first TYPO3 conference, "TYCON3", released in 2005.

The Foundation for Something Big

TYPO3's first major conference beautifully demonstrates how the CMS has continuously evolved while maintaining its roots in innovation and community support. Held nearly two decades ago, the event covered a diverse range of sessions, forward-thinking solutions, and real-world use cases, many of which remain relevant today.

The medium chosen to publish TYCON3’s schedule, the then-young TYPO3 News, now known as t3n, marks a significant milestone. Today, t3n stands as a leading tech hub, covering IT, new work, marketing, and digitalization far beyond its TYPO3 origins. Fittingly, t3n returns this year as a TYPO3 media partner, underlining its enduring connection to the TYPO3 ecosystem.

As T3CON grew in popularity, so did TYPO3’s capabilities. By the late 2000s, topics had expanded to accessibility, internationalization, and building sites with modern XHTML and CSS. With Kasper Skårhøj, TYPO3’s founder, delivering keynote speeches until his exit from the CMS, the conference quickly became a hub for idea exchange around TYPO3’s vision of “Inspiring People to Share.”

Kasper Skårhøj retired from the core development and the Association in 2007 – not without formally saying goodbye to the community (Photo Credit: Daniel Fau). 

Kasper’s farewell appearance at a major TYPO3 conference occurred in 2008 in Germany’s capital. Coincidentally, this event marked another well-known personality’s first visit to T3CON. 

"T3CON08 was my first in-person meeting with the TYPO3 community," 

says Mathias Bolt Lesniak. Today, he serves as the TYPO3 Association's project ambassador. 

“I remember being awed almost to silence by finally seeing the famous people that had until then only been photos on a website and names on a mailing list. On the final day I even dared to speak to two core developers! I suggested a technology that was added soon after. I still remember attending Oliver Klee's workshop about unit testing legacy extensions, where I learned things that have been useful to me ever since."

Screenshot of the T3CON08 website showing many still active community members.

A Global Shift (2009-2015): Expanding Tracks and Venturing Overseas

In 2009, T3CON took its first leap overseas to Dallas, Texas. This marked the beginning of TYPO3’s journey into North American markets, with over 80 attendees from 11 countries joining to connect, discuss, and celebrate the CMS. The new host cities reflected TYPO3’s expanding global reach, as T3CON brought together digital enthusiasts from across Europe and North America. By the time T3CON returned to Frankfurt in 2011, attendance had swelled to over 370 visitors from 13 countries, proving that TYPO3 had successfully crossed borders.

Registration for T3CON09 Dallas (Photos by: Oliver Hader)
Conference booth in Dallas, 2009
Conference group photo, Dallas 2010

Return to Germany

The TYPO3 Conference in Stuttgart in 2012 (T3CON12) marked a significant moment for our ecosystem. Billed as the "8th European TYPO3 & FLOW3 Conference," it showcased TYPO3 CMS and the FLOW3 web application platform, while teasing the highly anticipated TYPO3 Phoenix, later known as TYPO3 Neos. The conference’s deeply technical focus reflected its roots, attracting developers, designers, and early adopters eager to engage with TYPO3’s expanding possibilities. Sessions delved into technical innovations, while the community forged connections in a hands-on, collaborative atmosphere.

By 2013, the conference’s format began to evolve. T3CON13 in Stuttgart introduced the "Three Days, Three Themes" structure, dedicating days to Community, Future, and Business. The shift in conference format and focus over the years reflects TYPO3’s evolution into a versatile enterprise-grade CMS. Oliver Hader, Core Developer and Security Team Lead of TYPO3 CMS, recalled the early conferences with a smile: 

“Back then, the idea was to just stick developers in suits and call it a conference. It wasn’t bad, but it was definitely a far cry from what we see today.” 

– Oliver Hader

This candid observation captures the contrast between the intimate, developer-heavy gatherings of the past and the dynamic, international events T3CON has become.

By 2014, T3CON14 in Berlin embraced a refined format, focusing on "Business Day", “Knowledge Day”, and "Future Day" tracks to cater to both decision-makers and technical experts. These adjustments mirrored TYPO3’s dual identity as a developer-centric tool and a robust enterprise solution.

Screenshot of the T3CON11 website that also announced T3CON’s return to North America in 2012, in Québec, Canada (retrieved from the Wayback Machine)

A Milestone: Toward a Broader Vision

The TYPO3 Awards, introduced at T3CON15 in Amsterdam, symbolized a shift in how the community celebrated TYPO3’s impact. The gala honored standout projects in ten categories, cementing the CMS’s reputation within enterprise content management.

Screenshot from the dedicated TYPO3 Awards website (retrieved from the Wayback Machine)

“As early as 2008, at the TYPO3 Snowboard Tour, a TYPO3 Award was presented for the first time. At that time, the coolest design, the best TYPO3 Extension and the use of latest techniques have been awarded,” 

the 2015 Awards website explained. 

“Now in 2015, for the first time this prize is an international and official event that honors the winners at a gala ceremony with an extraordinary entertainment program and a special dinner.”

This era saw TYPO3 conferences become less developer-centric, broadening their focus to reflect TYPO3’s maturity and versatility as a platform for innovation and strategy.

First TYPO3 Awards Gala, Amsterdam 2015

“You want to live up to the common vision we all share”

Daniel Fau, now the CEO of TYPO3 GmbH, first started using the CMS in 2006 to deliver client projects. Over time, he was deeply inspired by the community spirit. Reflecting on his experiences, he shares:

“T3CON has left a lasting impression over the years. In 2008, I reconnected with friends from my proprietary software days. I will always remember 2016 as ‘Award Night.’” 

That year, his agency, DFAU GmbH, won three TYPO3 Awards, including 'Website of the Year.'

“2018 and 2019 were pivotal years. For the first time, I wasn’t just a guest,” Daniel said, referring to his debut as a speaker at the international event. 

“The excitement and pressure of being a speaker are unique, especially when addressing a group of friends in business. You want to live up to the common vision we all share. This sense of shared ownership has always been central to the spirit of TYPO3.”

Maturity and Resilience (2016-2021): Navigating New Territory and Pandemic Shifts

T3CON19 in The Hague, Netherlands (Fokker Terminal); the last Conference before the pandemic.

As T3CON continued to mature, its host cities – Munich, Berlin, and The Hague – reflected TYPO3’s stronghold in Europe’s digital and tech landscape. By 2019, the conference represented TYPO3’s transformation into an enterprise-grade CMS capable of competing with global players. The technical tracks delved into cloud integration, data privacy, and digital sovereignty, aligning with TYPO3’s commitment to security and flexibility as the CMS continued to serve sectors like education, government, and business.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything in 2020, but the TYPO3 spirit held firm.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, it’s a shame that we cannot meet in person. It's all about health first. Therefore, the provisional TYPO3 Event Committee decided not to [hold] on-location [...]. Instead of having physical events, we work on a virtual online event series – the TYPO3 Online Days 2021,” 

the provisional TYPO3 Event Committee explained in 2021.

When in-person events became impossible, TYPO3 Online Days emerged, keeping the community connected and informed with virtual sessions on backend/frontend development, DevOps, user experience, and TYPO3’s future roadmap. For the community, the Online Days embodied TYPO3’s resilience and adaptability, reaffirming TYPO3’s relevance and growth despite the challenges.

The Return of T3CON in 2023: A New Vision for Open-Source Impact

Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf, Germany – host venue of T3CON23

Read a detailed recap of T3CON23

After a four-year hiatus, the TYPO3 Conference returned in 2023, hosted at Düsseldorf’s historic Areal Böhler. This comeback event embraced a new, streamlined approach, featuring a brand new single-track format featuring invited speakers and curated sessions centered on themes of “Technology, Transparency, and Trust.” The focus was clear: as open-source software becomes ever more critical, TYPO3 aims to lead in digital sovereignty and secure, scalable content management.

Opening with a keynote by Nicholas Janni, an award-winning business book author and leadership consultant, T3CON23 set a reflective and transformative tone. Janni’s insights on “Leader as Healer” invited attendees to consider holistic approaches to leadership and digital integrity – a fitting start for a conference focused on responsible, human-centered technology.

Graphic recording from one of the sessions at T3CON23 by Anja von Klitzing

The sessions that followed covered high-impact topics such as the human factor in AI, digital trust, and data sovereignty. This year’s comeback format, along with live graphic recordings of each main-stage talk, was crafted to offer attendees a cohesive, memorable experience that bridged policy, technology, and community.

“One of the most profound lessons I carry with me is the power of collaboration, sharing, and growing together.”

– Phindiwe Nqanqaru, T3CON23 attendee & TYPO3 Awards Jury member

Looking Ahead to the Future: Empowering Digital Transformation

Building on the energy of 2023, T3CON24 deepened TYPO3’s role as a trusted partner in digital transformation. From 26–28 November 2024, the conference once again took place at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf.

T3CON24, with a program designed for agency professionals, digital officers, and industry innovators, presented yet another development in its structure: a preceding first day aimed exclusively at the public sector and higher education, reflecting the CMS’s growing importance in both branches in the DACH area. Afterwards, the conference resumed its international sessions on security, compliance, digital transformation, and AI integration. The single-track format has proven successful in emphasizing the networking aspect of this business gathering, which is directed not only at TYPO3 users but also at a broader audience.

The event concluded with the highly anticipated 7th TYPO3 Awards Gala, a must-attend highlight for the TYPO3 community.

From TYCON3, the first gathering in Karlsruhe in 2005, to the international conference it is today, T3CON has grown alongside the CMS itself – expanding from developer workshops to include business insights, strategy sessions, and community celebrations. We acknowledge that our history often reflects limited diversity, but we are actively working to bring more women, young talent, and diverse voices to the stage, ensuring T3CON becomes a platform for all perspectives. With each event, T3CON reflects TYPO3’s ongoing evolution and the vibrant community that drives it forward.

As T3CON24 came to a close, it offered not just a glimpse into TYPO3's future but a platform to shape it. Relive the conference through our recap.

Save the date: T3CON will return for its 17th edition from 25-27 November 2025!

Editor's Note

Thank you to Oliver Hader, Daniel Fau, Mathias Bolt Lesniak, and Ingo Schmitt for sharing their reflections, stories, and archival images, which beautifully capture the passion and collaboration that have shaped T3CON’s journey from its grassroots origins to its place as a global TYPO3 event.

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