SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 is History!

Dear Software Crafters and participants of SoCraTes Switzerland 2025,

We hope that everyone arrived home safely and is reflecting on the inspiring moments we shared together. 🎁

This year’s edition was a fantastic success, thanks to you! Your participation, ideas, and energy made the 8th edition truly memorable. While this year’s event has come to an end, the spark for the next edition is already igniting new ideas.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year’s event a success. We deeply appreciate your commitment to the Software Crafters community! A special shout-out to Oliver, Marco, Michael, Thorben, and Pablo who made the event for me, Patrick, very enjoyable. Everything is so much more fun when you can do it in pairs or ensemble. Thank you for your big support! 💕

Miro – Capturing Shared Insights

All the valuable insights and discussions are now available on Miro, ensuring that nothing gets lost. This makes it easier to revisit key takeaways, get inspired, and continue learning until next time.

If you haven’t done so yet, please take a moment to update our Knowledge Vault. Your contributions help keep our collective wisdom alive!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making this exchange so valuable!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 - Miro

Pictures - Sharing Memories

Let’s capture the best moments together! To share our pictures, I’ve set up a secure inbox on Infomaniak’s Swiss-based, DSGVO-compliant cloud. Please upload your photos so everyone can access and download them—keeping our memories in a safe and shared space.

📤 Upload your photos here: Upload Link
📥 Download shared pictures here: Download Link

Thank you for contributing and making these moments last! It takes a some time until the updates get synched 😆

Looking Ahead – Save the Date!

Mark your calendars! The next edition of SoCraTes Switzerland will take place from January 29th to February 1st, 2026. Preparations will begin in August, and tickets will go on sale in mid-October.

🚀 SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 – Registration Opens Soon! 💻

Hey Software Crafters, Friends, and SoCraTes Family 👋,

We're super excited to let you know that registration for the eighth Swiss Software Craft and Testing Conference is opening soon! 

🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 17th, 2024 – registration goes live by 12:00.

The first 30 tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The rest will be distributed via a lottery, and the more boxes you tick (e.g., different field, another community, diverse background), the better your chances. If tickets run out, don’t forget to add yourself to the waiting list!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 is a non-profit, international un-conference for open-minded software crafters who are all about improving their craft and pushing the software industry forward. Just like our sibling events in Germany, the UK, the Canaries, Belgium, Chile, France, Italy, and Canada, this is all about the community. It's the perfect chance to connect and code with fellow talented developers from all around the globe 🌍. Expect 3 incredible days of inspiration in the Swiss Alps 🏔️.

In the 2023 edition, we enjoyed the seminar center at the Ilanz monastery, and we’re excited to continue with the same venue for next year

Want more details? Check out our website: socrates-ch.org. You can also catch some memories from last year on Facebook: SoCraTes CH Photos.

We can't wait to see you there!

Cheers,
Patrick

Sponsoring - 2025 Edition

We need YOUR help to make next year’s event a success! Sponsorship plays a crucial role, and it’s a great opportunity for your company to get involved. The money will help to reduce the costs of the tickets for everyone.

It's now the perfect time to start the conversation within your team and your company. These decisions can take time, so why not get a head start? 

Contact us to discuss the different sponsorship options available!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 – Ready to Be Surprised!

As we approach the festive season, we bring you exciting news about the upcoming SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025!  

We are thrilled to announce that the conference is made possible thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors: 56kCloud, BVV, House of Test, Quatico, and 42talents.

Additionally, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing community members whose generous contributions help make this event possible.

As in previous years, we’ve created a Google Sheet where you can enter your personal details, preferences for Fondue/Raclette, travel plans, and more. > SoCraTes CH Logistics 2025

If you’re planning your journey, be sure to grab some super safe tickets from SBB! They are much cheaper if you book early. > SBB timetable

If you're traveling from Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof, take the train at 13:38. The journey takes about 2 hours to reach the venue, and you can also meet other participants on the train. Once you arrive, there will be a venue tour for the new joiners. After dinner, we’ll kick off the welcome session around 19:30 – make sure to be there on time! 

We are fully booked and can’t wait for the event.

We wish you a joyful Christmas and a fantastic start to the New Year!

Warm regards,
Patrick

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 – Is Happening Soon! 🤩

Dear Software Crafters and participants of the SoCraTes Switzerland 2024 conference,

The SoCraTes Switzerland conference is almost here! We’ve already shared some tips on how to organize your travel by train and/or bus. If you’re still planning your journey, be sure to book your tickets early with SBB for the best prices! > SBB timetable

If you’re traveling from Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof, you can catch the train at 13:38. The journey takes about 2 hours, and you might meet other participants along the way. Who knows, you could even kick off the event with a fishbowl discussion on the train! 🚆

It looks like train travel will be a fun experience, with many people already connecting in Bern or Zürich. Check out the Magic Spreadsheet and Slack for more details!

Arrivals and Venue Tour

For those arriving for the first time, we will have a venue tour to help you settle in.

Arriving around 16:00 or 17:00 is usually ideal. If you’re arriving later, don’t worry – we’ll start with dinner first, followed by the welcome session. The welcome session will begin around 19:30, so make sure to be there on time!

Things to Remember to Bring

• Sunglasses and Sun Cream ⇾ Just in case! 😉
• Warm Clothes ⇾ Expect temperatures between -3°C and 8°C. We don't have a crystal ball, maybe there will be even snow. 😟
• Board Games, PPT Karaoke Slides, and Challenges ⇾ For extra fun during the evenings.
• Instruments ⇾ We had some amazing jam sessions last time!
• Swiss Power Adapters ⇾ Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs.
• Laptop, Adapters, Gadgets ⇾ If you’re bringing drones, be sure to check for any restricted airspaces nearby.
• Stickers and Other Exchangeable Items ⇾ For trading fun!
  

Disclaimer

Insurance is the responsibility of the participants. Please watch your personal belongings. SoCraTes, 42talents, and Haus der Begegnung are not liable for any lost or damaged items during your stay.

Location

We’ll be staying in the same venue as the last two years, and we’ll be the only guests. 🎉 While activities outside the venue are limited, there are plenty of options to fill the evenings, including board games, Werewolf, and more! If you know the area around Ilanz and have suggestions, let us know!

Check-in / Check-out

Check-in is from 15:00 on Thursday. If you arrive earlier, no problem, feel free to relax until your room is ready. Check-out is on Sunday by 10:00 AM. We don’t serve lunch, but if you’d like to organize a hike, run, workshop, or even ski on Sunday, let everyone know!

The Magic Spreadsheet!

This document is your one-stop shop to help us organize the event. Please fill it out with your details so we can plan accordingly. Everyone can edit the sheet, so check it regularly, and you are welcome to make updates! → SoCraTes CH Logistics 2025

Weather

To get a feel for the conditions, check out the webcam at the Ilanz ski resort. Meteo Blue - Webcams Ilanz

Communication Channels during the Event

We created a channel in the Software Craftsmanship Slack for communication during the event. You can get an invitation via http://slack.softwarecraftsmanship.org. You may have joined in the past. Make sure you join our channel #socrates_ch.

Social Media

Spread the word, document your journey and your stay, use hashtag #socratesCH (everywhere), socrates_ch (Instagram) @SoCraTes_CH (X), @socrates_ch@mastodon.social (Mastodon) and @socrates.ch (Facebook) - We do the same :))

Help us create some buzz and keep our friends who were unable to attend up to date ;)

Looking forward to meeting you soon,
Patrick

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 – It's Happening This Week! 🚀

As the SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2025 approaches, it's time to start thinking about the unique opportunities the unconference format offers! Unlike traditional conferences, where you passively attend talks and maybe process the information later, an unconference is all about active participation. What questions have been on your mind lately? Are there challenges you’d like to explore or innovative ideas you’d love to discuss with peers? Whether it’s a specific topic, a project, or even a burning curiosity, the unconference thrives on the contributions and curiosity of its participants. Bring your thoughts, questions, ideas, discoveries, and much more to the table. This is your chance to shape and nurture the discussions that matter most to you and others.

To help you get started, remember that you can also share and develop your ideas in the Slack channel! It’s a great space to brainstorm, gather feedback, or even refine your thoughts before the event. Plus, if you have any questions about preparation, the venue, or other practical details, the Slack community is the perfect place to find answers.

If you don't have access to the SoftwareCrafters Slack, use the inviter to and join the #socrates_ch channel. It will also be very helpful during the event.

Travel Guide

If you're traveling from Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof, there's a train at 13:38, with a journey time of about 2 hours. It’s a great chance to meet other participants along the way. If you don't catch a bus, it's a 20-minute walk to the venue. Btw. there are still reduced tickets available - SBB Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof

Arrivals and Venue Tour

Check-in is available from 15:00 onwards. Everyone who wants, can join a venue tour to get settled. Arriving around 16:00 or 17:00 is ideal, but if you arrive later, no worries - dinner will be first, followed by the welcome session around 19:15.

Weather Forecast

The weather for Thursday and Friday will be sunny with some clouds, while Saturday may bring snow. Expect temperatures ranging from -5 to 5 degrees Celsius. For more details, check the forecast here: 

• Wetter Ilanz - Meteo - SRF
• Meteo Blue - Webcams Ilanz

Things to Remember to Bring 

• Sunglasses and Sun Cream ⇾ Just in case! 😉
• Warm Clothes ⇾ Expect temperatures between -5°C and 5°C.
• Board Games, PPT Karaoke Slides, and Challenges ⇾ For extra fun during the evenings.
• Instruments ⇾ We had some amazing jam sessions last time!
• Swiss Power Adapters ⇾ Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs.
• Laptop, Adapters, Gadgets ⇾ If you’re bringing drones, be sure to check for any restricted air spaces nearby.
• Stickers and Other Exchangeable Items ⇾ For trading fun!
• ...

Check-in / Check-out

Check-in is from 15:00 on Thursday. If you arrive earlier, no problem, feel free to relax until your room is ready. Check-out is on Sunday by 10:00 AM. We don’t serve lunch, but if you’d like to organize a hike, run, workshop, or even ski on Sunday, let everyone know!

Please note that the venue is not a hotel, so you’ll need to tidy your room yourself during your stay.

Magic Spreadsheet

This document is your go-to resource for helping us organize the event. Please enter your details so we can plan accordingly. The sheet is editable by everyone, so feel free to check it regularly and make any necessary updates! → SoCraTes CH Logistics 2025

Social Media

Spread the word, document your journey and your stay, use hashtag #socratesCH (everywhere), socrates_ch (Instagram) @SoCraTes_CH (X), @socrates_ch@mastodon.social (Mastodon) and @socrates.ch (Facebook) - We do the same :))

Help us create some buzz and keep our friends who were unable to attend up to date ;)

Sponsors

We’re excited to share that the conference is made possible thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors: 56kCloud, BVV, House of Test, Quatico, and 42talents. A big thank you to our good friends who have supported us in the past as well. We’re looking forward to their fun, short pitches during the welcome session – we hope they’ll make us smile!

Disclaimer

Insurance, including coverage for accidents, health, and personal belongings, is the responsibility of each participant. Please take care of your personal items, as SoCraTes, 42talents, and Haus der Begegnung are not liable for any loss, damage, or accidents during your stay. Participants are responsible for their own safety and well-being, and should ensure they have appropriate insurance in case of medical emergencies or accidents.

I can't wait to meet you soon!

Patrick

🚀 SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 – Registration Opens Soon! 💻

Hey Software Crafters, Friends, and SoCraTes Family 👋,

We’re super excited to let you know that registration for the ninth Swiss Software Craft and Testing Conference is opening soon!

🗓️ Mark your calendars for October 16th, 2025 – registration goes live at 12:00.

The first 30 tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The rest will be distributed via a lottery system. The more boxes you tick (e.g. different field, another community, diverse background), the better your chances. If tickets run out, don’t forget to add yourself to the waiting list. This is the only way to join the lottery!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 is a non-profit, international un-conference for open-minded software crafters who are passionate about improving their craft and pushing the software industry forward. Just like our sibling events in Germany, the UK, the Canaries, Belgium, Chile, France, Italy, and Canada, this is all about the community.

It’s the perfect chance to connect and code with fellow talented developers from all around the globe 🌍. Expect 3 incredible days of inspiration in the Swiss Alps 🏔️.

Since the 2023 edition, we enjoyed the seminar center at the Ilanz monastery, and we’re excited to continue with the same venue for 2026!

👉 Want more details? Check out our website: socrates-ch.org.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Cheers,
Patrick

Sponsoring – 2026 Edition

We need YOUR help to make next year’s event a success! Sponsorship plays a crucial role, and it’s a great opportunity for your company to get involved. The money will help to reduce ticket costs for everyone.

💡 If you bring in a sponsor, your spot at SoCraTes CH 2026 is automatically secured – no lottery, no waiting list! 🎉

It’s the perfect time to start the conversation within your team and your company. These decisions can take time, so why not get a head start?

📩 Contact us to discuss the different sponsorship options available!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 – Ready to Be Surprised?

As we look ahead to the coming year, we’re excited to share the first signals for SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026, and we already feel the energy building.

First and foremost: thank you. We’re deeply grateful to our sponsors — 56kCloud, BVV, Ergon, House of Test, and 42talents. Their trust and support make SoCraTes Switzerland 2026 possible and allow us to stay focused on what really matters: a high-quality, community-first conference shaped by everyone who joins.

✨ Now is a great time to prepare.
Start collecting ideas for sessions, conversations, experiments, questions, or formats you’d love to explore. No slides required: just curiosity, experiences, and the joy of learning together. Many of the best sessions start as half-formed thoughts, so feel free to bring those along too.

💬 Let’s stay connected.
Our Slack channel is the perfect place to exchange ideas, ask questions, coordinate travel, or simply get to know each other before we meet. Jump in, say hello, and help shape the conference vibe early on.

🧀 Logistics & planning
As in previous years, we’ve prepared a Google Sheet where you can enter your personal details, Fondue/Raclette preferences, travel plans, and more: SoCraTes CH Logistics 2026

🚆 Travel tip
If you’re planning your journey, booking early with SBB is highly recommended. Early tickets are significantly cheaper: SBB timetable

For those traveling from Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof:

• Train departure: 13:38

• Travel time: ~2 hours

• A great chance to meet fellow participants along the way

Once you arrive, there will be a venue tour for new joiners. After dinner, we’ll start the welcome session around 19:30. Please plan to be there on time.

🎉 We’re fully booked, and we couldn’t be happier about the amazing community coming together.

We truly look forward to shaping SoCraTes Switzerland 2026 together - with your ideas, your questions, and your curiosity.

Warm regards,
Patrick

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 – It's Happening NEXT Week! 🚀

As the SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 approaches, it's time to start thinking about the unique opportunities the unconference format offers! Unlike traditional conferences, where you passively attend talks and maybe process the information later, an unconference is all about active participation. What questions have been on your mind lately? Are there challenges you’d like to explore or innovative ideas you’d love to discuss with peers? Whether it’s a specific topic, a project, or even a burning curiosity, the unconference thrives on the contributions and curiosity of its participants. Bring your thoughts, questions, ideas, discoveries, and much more to the table. This is your chance to shape and nurture the discussions that matter most to you and others.

To help you get started, remember that you can also share and develop your ideas in the Slack channel! It’s a great space to brainstorm, gather feedback, or even refine your thoughts before the event. Plus, if you have any questions about preparation, the venue, or other practical details, the Slack community is the perfect place to find answers.

If you don't have access to the SoftwareCrafters Slack, use the inviter to and join the #socrates_ch channel. It will also be very helpful during the event.

Travel Guide

If you're traveling from Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof, there's a train at 13:38, with a journey time of about 2 hours. It’s a great chance to meet other participants along the way. If you don't catch a bus, it's a 20-minute walk to the venue. Btw. there are still reduced tickets available - SBB Zürich HB to Ilanz, Albertushof

Arrivals and Venue Tour

Check-in is available from 15:00 onwards. Everyone who wants, can join a venue tour to get settled. Arriving around 16:00 or 17:00 is ideal, but if you arrive later, no worries - dinner will be first, followed by the welcome session around 19:15.

Weather Forecast

The weather for Thursday and Friday will be sunny with some clouds, while Saturday may bring snow. Expect temperatures ranging from -5 to 5 degrees Celsius. For more details, check the forecast here: 

• Wetter Ilanz - Meteo - SRF
• Meteo Blue - Webcams Ilanz

Things to Remember to Bring 

• Sunglasses and Sun Cream ⇾ Just in case! 😉
• Warm Clothes ⇾ Expect temperatures between -5°C and 5°C.
• Board Games, PPT Karaoke Slides, and Challenges ⇾ For extra fun during the evenings.
• Instruments ⇾ We had some amazing jam sessions in the past!
• Swiss Power Adapters ⇾ Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs.
• Laptop, Adapters, Gadgets ⇾ If you’re bringing drones, be sure to check for any restricted air spaces nearby.
• Stickers and Other Exchangeable Items ⇾ For trading fun!
• ...

Check-in / Check-out

Check-in is from 15:00 on Thursday. If you arrive earlier, no problem, feel free to relax until your room is ready. Check-out is on Sunday by 10:00 AM. We don’t serve lunch, but if you’d like to organize a hike, run, workshop, or even ski on Sunday, let everyone know!

Please note that the venue is not a hotel, so you’ll need to tidy your room yourself during your stay. 😊

Magic Spreadsheet

This document is your go-to resource for helping us organize the event. Please enter your details so we can plan accordingly. The sheet is editable by everyone, so feel free to check it regularly and make any necessary updates! → SoCraTes CH Logistics 2026

Social Media

Spread the word, document your journey and your stay, use hashtag #socratesCH (everywhere), socrates_ch (Instagram) @SoCraTes_CH (X), @socrates_ch@mastodon.social (Mastodon) and @socrates.ch (Facebook) - We do the same 😁

Help us create some buzz and keep our friends who were unable to attend up to date ;)

Sponsors

We’re excited to share that the conference is made possible thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors: 56kCloud, BVV, Ergon, House of Test, and 42talents. A big thank you to our good friends who have supported us in the past as well. We’re looking forward to their fun, short pitches during the welcome session – we hope they’ll make us smile!

Disclaimer

Insurance, including coverage for accidents, health, and personal belongings, is the responsibility of each participant. Please take care of your personal items, as SoCraTes, 42talents, and Haus der Begegnung are not liable for any loss, damage, or accidents during your stay. Participants are responsible for their own safety and well-being, and should ensure they have appropriate insurance in case of medical emergencies or accidents.

I can't wait to meet you soon!

Patrick

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 is History!

Dear Software Crafters and SoCraTes Switzerland 2026 participants,

We hope you all arrived home safely, with tired heads, happy hearts, and lots of new ideas to reflect on. 🎁

This year’s SoCraTes Switzerland was a huge success, and that is entirely because of you. Your participation, your ideas, and your energy made the 9th edition truly special and unforgettable. While this year’s event has come to an end, the spark for the next edition is already lighting up new ideas and conversations.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this event what it was. Your engagement, generosity, and commitment to the Software Crafters community mean more than we can say.

And a very special shout-out to Oliver, Barny, Michael, Vadim, and Pablo. Everything really is more fun when you work in pairs or as an ensemble. Thank you for your incredible support and teamwork. 💕

Miro – Capturing Our Shared Insights

All the valuable insights, ideas, and discussions from the event are now available on Miro, so nothing gets lost. It is a great place to revisit key takeaways, spark new inspiration, and continue learning together until we meet again.

If you have not done so yet, we invite you to take a moment to update our Knowledge Vault. Every contribution helps keep our shared knowledge alive and growing.

Thank you for openly sharing your experience and expertise. You are what makes this exchange so valuable! 🙌

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 - Miro

Pictures - Sharing Memories

Let’s capture and share the best moments together! To make this easy and secure, I have set up an inbox on Infomaniak’s Swiss-based, DSGVO-compliant cloud. Please upload your photos so everyone can access and download them. This keeps our memories safe and shared in one place.

📤 Upload your photos here: Upload Link
📥 Download shared pictures here: Download Link (Password: Ilanz)

Thank you for contributing and helping preserve these moments. Syncing can take a little while, so please be patient 😆

Looking Ahead

Looking a bit further ahead, the dates for SoCraTes Switzerland 2027 are not final yet. However, you can expect the event to happen roughly within one week before or after the usual time frame 😉

We are already looking forward to what comes next and hope to see many of you again!

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 is History! - Corrigendum

Hello everyone,

Short correction regarding our previous message “SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 is History!”.

Unfortunately, one of the links to the pictures in that email was incorrect. We apologise for the confusion. Below you will find the corrected information. All other content from the original message remains unchanged.

Pictures - Sharing Memories

Let’s capture and share the best moments together! To make this easy and secure, I’ve set up an inbox on Infomaniak’s Swiss-based, DSGVO-compliant cloud.

Please upload your photos so everyone can access and download them. This keeps our memories safe and shared in one central place.

📤 Upload your photos here: Upload Link

📥 Download shared pictures here: Download Link (Password: Ilanz)

Thank you for contributing and helping preserve these moments. Syncing may take a little while, so please be patient 😆

Miro – Capturing Our Shared Insights

All the valuable insights, ideas, and discussions from the event are now available on Miro, so nothing gets lost. It’s a great place to revisit key takeaways, spark new inspiration, and continue learning together until we meet again.

If you haven’t done so yet, we invite you to take a moment to update our Knowledge Vault. Every contribution helps keep our shared knowledge alive and growing.

Thank you for openly sharing your experience and expertise — you are what makes this exchange so valuable! 🙌

SoCraTes Conference Switzerland 2026 - Miro