TABCONF 8 is long gone, and it has taken me a while to sit down and write a post about it.

When I first went to TABCONF, it was the 6th one, and I thought it would be the perfect place to host a Stacker News In Real Life (SNIRL) event, to give any stacker the opportunity to meet one another in person. So I set a course to plan SNIRL #1, and I must say it was an overwhelming success! I met many stackers and had tons of fun. You can read about the SNIRL #1 wrap up here

With the lessons learned in mind, I was ready to build on this event and make it better. Thus the planning for SNIRL #2 started. I started it much earlier, but this time I was more laid back about it. I didn't go out and buy a bunch of marketing materials or think of a way to grow the site. I took a more laid back approach. I wanted to increase the brand awareness but also wanted to chill. Planning this event using GitHub was as simple as making a request on GitHub and having the organizers accept it. Going into this knowing it was going to be the last TABCONF was bittersweet. I remember telling Tidwell that as long as TABCONF was an event, SNIRL would come and host a table for stackers to come hang out. He said great, and only a year later the conference is now canceled. Ugh!

But SNIRL was still a blast. I always find it funny that we have to reserve space, but as soon as you show up it's literally first come, first served. I took two tables, set up the tablecloths, laid out the SN zines, and just sat and greeted folks who wanted to learn about Stacker News.

I had my iPad to demonstrate how the site works, so people can understand how cool it is to zap real money over the internet! Not long after, the SN team came and caught up, and we had a great time. We shared meals together, which I posted about here Due to my schedule I was only able to stay for a few days. I missed the SNL podcast and the fun activities that TABCONF put on as the conference goes off into the sunset. We didn't get a chance to tour the Atlanta Fed this time, but we did enjoy a bowl of delicious southern grits.

I enjoyed meeting each and every stacker who came to the event. I won't dox anyone, as you all know who you are, but I am looking forward to seeing you all at SNIRL #3!

Which now begs the question: where will the next SNIRL be, with TABCONF winding down? I had some ideas, but it is always best to get the input from the stackers. If you can provide feedback from the poll below, that would be great. These are just some early ideas, but we want SNIRL to tag along a bitcoin event so Stackers can get double value: 1. From going to said event and 2. Hanging out with stackers in real life!

Poll options:

• Bitcoin Magazine BTC conference (Nashville, July 15-17, 2027)
• A Bitcoin++ event (2027 schedule not published yet)
• An overseas bitcoin event (Baltic Honeybadger, Plan B in Lugano, etc.)
• Austin, TX (the home of SN)
• Other

For the next event, here are some items I wish to get:

• Get a better tablecloth. A high quality one with nice SN branding (sorry @Ag, but moving on from the chessboard tablecloth with two different tone yellows)
• Get a 3D printed SN sign. (Crypto Cloaks maybe)
• Get Neon SN sign
• Business Cards to showcase territories

To all the stackers and the TABCONF (@tidwell ) team who make this possible, I thank you all. Hopefully I will see you all at SNIRL #3!