# Something like a Lara-monenon

### July 2025: LaraconUS

My friend [**Leah**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtcodes/) [**Thompson**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtcodes/) is a wonderful role model - well except the whole Ranch thing. (JK LOVE YOU) 🤣

Even before she got her job at Laravel, Leah’s been influencing people to build with Laravel. So between **Leah** and **Jason** (more of a questionable influence than role model - KIDDING) going on and on about Laravel, I’ll admit I’ve been working my way through Laracasts.

About a month ago Leah sent me a scholarship application for a ticket to Laracon and I was...intrigued. It took me a couple days to gather the confidence to shoot my shot in this brand new Larena (see what I did there? lol), but I did it, and was selected to receive one of the four scholarship tickets from **Tighten**! I also got to chat with the nicest humans, CEO of Tighten, [**Matt Stau**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattstauffer/)**ffer**, who gave me all the tips on navigating Laracon successfully. (Thank you!!)

I was lucky enough to arrive in Denver bright and early so I could hang out with [**James Q**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesqquick/) **Quick** and gang before everything got rolling. Then some RiNo wandering and the Mostly Technical pre-party, where I got to meet and chat with so many new faces! It was wonderful and overwhelming and I loved all of it.

Over the next couple days I learned *so* much. Thank goodness I had reviewed beforehand (shout out to Laracasts and the Laravel Podcast) because I was able to grasp a lot more than I expected. The talks were informative and hilarious, [**Aaron**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarondfrancis/) **Francis** was such a great emcee, and the sponsor hall was full of the sweetest folks. I kept returning to a handful of tables because they felt like a safe space - especially the Tighten booth of course! The community was just as amazing and welcoming as promised.

One of the most surreal moments was going backstage during a break to deliver a thank you gift and being invited on stage to take photos - the Laracon stage was *enormous*!

On the final night of the conf, I met the **Larabell**[**es**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/larabelles/) crew! It was such a fun event with the coolest belles of the Lara-ball. Grateful for all of the female friendships in a predominantly male space.

Afterward a few of us ended the night at a Speakeasy that was hidden inside an ice cream shop. How cool is that?! While I appreciated all of the newness I experienced at Laracon, it was nice to end the trip with the cozy and familiar faces of old friends. ❤️  
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