Dan and Cherrie Denney have put on Front-End Design Conference for the past 6 years in St. Petersburg, Florida and are wrapping up with a finale in Portland. There are many of us who are incredibly thankful for the event and want to make sure they know just how much.
Read, reminisce, share #frontendthanks and then contribute yourself to Dan and Cherrie's great works.
I’ve traveled around the globe to different conferences (Lion France, Racife Brazil, Honolulu, etc). and I have seen some amazing geographical locations to host the most incredible events in our industry; but I’ve never had a team of people welcome me into anyone of those events like Dan and Cherrie have. Anyone who has ever attended Front-End conf in St. Petersburg, Florida knows this kind of welcoming. My quick three thoughts:
Dan and I had met previously in St. Petersburg while I was vacationing and after a few drinks and pizza I knew I didn’t want to miss the event. It was like a bromance in its early stages. Since, so many of the friendships I’ve made via frontend have proven to be the most ‘twittered’ relationships that I have. Across the globe and country Front-End started that.
Dan asked me to speak in 2012, however, I was way to nervous for that. Instead I talked GitHub into sponsoring the party and enjoyed my first Front-End event as a spectator. In 2013 he asked me back; and I couldn’t say no. My first full length stage debut, Front-End 2013. A memory I’ll have forever.
Dan and Cherrie have birthed (sorry for that visual) an event like no other. From chocolate covered bacon to late night karaoke we’ll all miss the event itself, but thankfully due to the hard work they’ve put in, we’re now able to build on these memories forever. Thank you guys.
A butterfly flaps its wings in St. Petersburg, fours years later a guy gets to quit his day job to pursue his own passions. Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what events in your life lead you to where you are now, but in my case, one of them is very easy: Front End Design Conference.
Dan invited me to the very first one (remember when Dan was @webdesignfanboy on Twitter?!). Shaking in my boots, I accepted. I had never spoken at a conference before. I went, I did it. I refuse to watch the recording - I’m sure it was god-awful - but it doesn’t matter. It gave me confidence, it gave me motivation, and it opened up doors for me.
Thank you, Dan, Cherrie, and the whole Front End Design Conference gang for changing my life, and countless others, for the better.
For six years, I’ve looked forward to spending a few rainy summer days immersed in the nerdy, creative community that is the Front End Design Conference. To immersing myself in my craft; to socializing with my idols; to discovering new approaches; affirming my decisions and to partying with all of your bad selves. And best of all - it was always just around the corner. A cab ride away after the after-party, if you will…
I’m gonna miss that.
The thought and care you put into selecting speakers; the selflessness of your passion; the foresight into trends and up-and-comers; and most importantly, the incredibly personal way you make everyone think that you wanted them there above all else…
I’m gonna miss that.
Karaoke after-after parties, negotiating for drink tickets with non-drinkers, photo booth bombing, bacon everything of course, engaging conversations with my peers and colleagues, team-time with my staff, the glue of the Tampa Bay web community, the rain (OHSOMUCHRAIN) …
I’m gonna miss that.
Dan and Cherrie: thank you for being amazing organizers, kind and thoughtful people, and great friends. I just hope our annual reason to see each other doesn’t mean we never see each other again.
I had attended the St. Petersburg conference a few times, and gotten to know Dan and Cherrie personally. I’m honored that I can call them my friends.
This year, I was given the opportunity to speak at the final St. Petersburg conference. Having attended in the past, I knew the caliber of speakers that Dan gets each year, so it was humbling (to say the least) to be included with such company. The event has been top-notch every time, with the little perks (chocolate bacon, anyone?) that easily made it my favorite conference to attend each year.
Dan and Cherrie are two of the most generous, caring people I know of in our industry. There’s no doubt in my mind they poured every ounce of love they possibly could into every Front End Design Conference. I’ll always remember the address I gave in 2013, not because it was my best but because it was so warmly received by the audience. Clearly that’s a reflection of the caliber of people they attract, and I’m honored to be one of those.
I was lucky enough to speak at Front End a few years back, and was immediately struck by how warm everything was. Okay, no: not the weather. (Though hey, St. Petersburg was looking rather stunning.) Really, the warmth was coming from everything else: the speakers were brilliant and passionate; the theater was breathtaking; and the attendees were smiling, thoughtful, and, well, nice.
And a large part of that warmth was due to Dan’s hard work. He and Cherrie managed to bring some of the nicest people I’d ever met into one space, packed it full of informative, insightful talks, and infused it with their love of the web. Front End was one of my favorite events I’ve spoken at—and while I’m sad I won’t get a chance to go back, I’m so excited to see what Dan and Cherrie do next.
Dan, Cherrie: thank you.
Dan Denney, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
Seriously, Dan is one of the most genuine, kind, and generous people I’ve come to know. He always thinks of others first, and himself last.
He has every reason to brag, considering his contribution to, and his stature within, the web community. But he doesn’t do that. Instead, he gives back over and over and over selflessly.
I had the privilege to offer Dan a job a couple years ago, and he continues to be one of the hardest workers in the company. He never complains, always goes above and beyond, and is a joy to work next to.
So Dan, I raise my glass to you (yes, I’m holding a drink right now, why do you ask?). Thanks for all you’ve done for me personally, and for our community at large. You deserve every honor that comes your way.
Front End Design Conference was one of my most favoritest conferences I’ve ever spoken at! The talks, the attendees, the venue, it was all amazing. Also the opportunity to give more people the chance to share their knowledge with attendee-submitted talks cultivates an incredibly special community and experience. I know why this happens. Because of the amazing team that puts on this inclusive, welcoming, super unique conference. Cherrie and Dan are two of the raddest, most talented folks I know. Thanks for putting your hearts into a great conference and giving us all an opportunity to learn from each other and do the running man together.
Dan is a class act from beginning to end — he treated all Front-End Design Conf speakers with a ton of respect and kindness. When United Airlines lost my luggage, Dan and co-organizer Cherrie were tireless in hounding the airport to correct what had happened. They even paid for and provided me with emergency essentials due to the luggage snafu. Beyond that, they were extraordinarily attentive to both speaker and attendee alike. They kept the event warm and friendly, and when I spoke, Front-End Conf had a majority female lineup but it was publicized like any regular conference—a testament that they were committed to quality speakers first and foremost. I think the participants in Front-End Design Conf understand this, and it’s with bittersweetness that I say good-bye to this great conference. Thank you Dan, Cherrie and the rest of the team that made Front-End Design Conf possible.
I haven’t known Dan Denney for very long. I met Dan just in time to get to see Front End Design Conference before it ended, but I’m incredibly fortunate for getting the opportunity. Dan’s optimism, graciousness, and earnestness created the warmest community of people I’ve ever met in the people who attended his conferences. The world is full of cynics, because it’s easy to be cynical. Being a positive person is tough, but creating positivity in others is damn near a miracle. Even though I only this year got to attend Front End Design Conference, I immediately recognized it as something incredibly special and it was only possible thanks to an incredible dude.
Who would’ve thought Hip-hop and the Web would be a great topic at Front End Design Conference? Turns out I was lucky that Dan did. In most cases he turned out be a bigger Hip-hop enthusiast than me. More than I think he knows, Dan has been a great role model to me on and offline. Dan gave me a chance to speak on something I was passionate about for the first time in front my peers and for that I’ll be forever grateful. Front End Design Conference on the whole has made me a better person in multiple aspects of my profession. I can’t imagine where I’d be today without it.
I have no doubt that we’re going to keep the spirit of the conference alive in one way or another (The Bahamas is still on the table haha).
I wish Dan, Cherrie and the entire family all the best. To many more years of moving the web forward!
Dear Dan,
Thanks so much for taking a chance on me as a speaker for your inaugural Front End Design conference. That experience was honestly the first time I’d ever spoken in front of so many people at a professional design event. It really gave me the shock I needed to begin taking speaking seriously and double down on my commitment to user experience design. People like you do so much for our community, so much for the fledgling designers that really want to make a difference in the world and just need a chance to be heard. Keep kicking ass and changing lives.
Your friend, Andrew Maier Current Code for America Fellow and Former Editor-in-Chief, UX Booth
I (not so) vividly remember trying to buy a round of drinks for Dan at one of the Front-End Conf after-parties. If you’ve every tried to buy Dan a drink, you know how difficult it can be. He’s the kind of guy that wants to buy the drink, not have one bought for him. Somehow, I managed to sneak one in—a PBR in a can—and was then carted to the karaoke stage along with Dan and a few other attendees where we promptly sang Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Just one of many great memories I have from Front-End Design Conference. Good times.
I’ve only known Dan for a couple years, but I knew after first speaking with him that he was a kindred spirit. He demonstrates the kinds of qualities I’m really drawn to in this biz: humility, skill, and empathy for his team. Nowhere has this been more evident than in he and Cherrie’s organizing of the Front-End Design Conference. They’ve done a fantastic job of curating incredibly relevant content but also facilitating great interactions.
Dan, Cherrie, and their family have given a lot over the years. They’ve provided an amzaing place to exchange ideas. They’ve brought us together. I’m grateful for it and truly believe our industry is better because of them. Thanks Dan and Cherrie. You guys rock.
You know, I really only wanted to attend the conference and somehow I managed to get myself on stage this year in St. Pete. As I said before my talk, I had known about Front-End since the very beginning and my only regret (aside from that whole being on stage thing) is that I didn’t make it to one before 2014. The event was everything I expected from what I had heard about previous years and a whole lot more. I’ve been to a lot of conferences and the camaraderie, humility and passion of everyone present made it unlike any other. I know first-hand that this kind of community doesn’t just happen overnight. Dan, Cherrie and the rest of the Front-End Design Conference team have undoubtedly cultivated something magical and regardless of whether the conference goes on, the world (& the web) is a better place because of it. I’m thankful that I finally had the opportunity to be a part of the fun, supportive, amazing - and now, legendary - #frontendconf family.
Front-end Conference was the origin of the mustache and one of the first conferences I had spoken at. Dan took a chance and gave me the opportunity to speak among some of my own personal web heroes. Dan and Cherrie were kind and welcoming and helped create a very inviting and inclusive culture with the attendees and speakers. They set the bar pretty high on what I expected other conferences to be like.
Dan and Cherrie - Front End Design Conference has meant so much to me over the years. Not just because the conference is amazing, but because you and Cherrie are amazing. You put your heart into these conferences and it showed in everything from the striking venues to the incredible food. I never would have understood the magic that is chocolate covered bacon had it not been for FEDC! The experience of both speaking and attending is one I will not soon forget. Thank you for all you have done for me personally and for the community these past years!
I was fortunate enough to be asked to speak at the first Front End Conference many years ago. I’m pretty sure it was the first web related conference I ever went to, and I’ll never forget it. I made so many great friends that weekend - amazing people that I might have never met in person otherwise. Dan not only gave me my first chance to be a conference speaker, but got me involved in the web community in a way I hadn’t before. And for that I’m forever grateful. Thanks Dan and Cherrie! You guys rock!
Dan & Cherrie,
The two of you are some of the most humble, kind and welcoming people I have ever met. I had the honor of attending 3 Front-end confs, spoke at one.. and every time I see y’all it just warms my heart. From first meeting Dan at Lessconf and stumbling down the streets in Atlanta several years back. to picking you up at the airport in PDX for your planning this last Frontendconf… man, you are super awesome. You are amazing at what you do… not only are you a fan of the community.. but you are an important member of the community. I wish you and your family all the best on your next travels and adventures! Thanks for all you’ve done!
Michael
Not long after the fourth iteration of Front-End, I asked Dan what compelled him to start his own event. Sheepishly, he just smiled and said it was an amazing excuse to talk with industry folks in St. Pete - both talented attendees and devoted speakers. He worked to make the conference something he would love going to, and that was infectious.
It’s always been easy discern what sort of person Dan is. Year after year, the event staff is made up of his family: Cherrie, his mom, his daughter, brothers-in-law, and countless others. They don’t just go through the motions - they’ve become part of Front-End. When Jason (who’d go on to speak twice) and I first attended, they supplied gluten-free snacks and libations unprompted so that he could partake as well. Those sort of things stick with you.
As a company, we try to attend at least one local (Florida) conference and something outside the state each year. Even with the ability to pick events virtually anywhere, the little get-together in St. Pete was always the team’s favorite.
Dan, it was a pleasure to attend and later take part in Front-End. I’m sad to see it go, but having you on the team is no small consolation. Thank you.
Front-End Design Conference has been the most insightful, entertaining, and informative conference I have had the privilege of attending over the past 4 years.
Let me tell you a story,
In 2011 when I sent Dan (whom I didn’t know at the time) a message saying that I would be unable to attend due to financial difficulties, he reached out to some friends and found me a room to stay in for the conference which made it possible for me to come down, to what would turn end up becoming a life changing event.
It was there that I met my future co-worker and boss, Brad Miller. Without Dan’s help I don’t know that I would be in the position I am currently. Thank you Dan, you’ve changed my life.
Last year when I had difficulties with the hotel, Cherrie stepped in and helped sort it all out. The work that these two have gone through to create this extraordinary opportunity for designers and developers from all levels is amazing. Every year at the conference when Dan asks how many people are returning, there are a large number of hands, but what is equally incredible is that there are so many new people. People just beginning in the industry looking for people to learn from.
Thank you Dan. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for everything you have done for our industry.
It’s not everyday that you get to eat chocolate covered bacon but when the Front End Design Conference rolled around you were guaranteed that experience. Dan and Cherrie were always so kind to me and I’m so thankful that I was able to become friends with them. They always did an amazing job putting on the conference and it quickly became one of my favorite conferences to attend. It wasn’t just about the knowledge being shared, it was the people.
Not only did I meet some amazing people, I met some future employees. I met Anthony Garand who later became one of my Front End Designers and Angela Crist who is now our Digital Strategist and Customer Advocate. You have helped our business by putting great people together and I’m grateful.
In 2012 we had a company hack week in St. Petersburg. The entire team came down for the conference. This was the year of the “Colors, Fonts and Shapes” presentation and we had a blast! We rented a house and worked on a product idea that is launching this year. We also had you both over for a BBQ that included Jason Vanlue and Matthew Graham (I think there is a photo somewhere….) and that was a lot of fun. I could say 2012 was my favorite year but I prefer saying I really had an awesome time between the years of 2011-2014.
Dan and Cherrie you are not just conference organizers, you are an inspiration, kind, thoughtful, funny, amazing people. But most of all you are my friends. St. Petersburg, FL will always be something special to me because of you. Thank you so much. Now where is the hug emoticon…..
I was first asked by Dan to speak at Frontend in 2012. I had no idea how much that event would change me personally. When I checked into my hotel room there was a gift box waiting for me. I opened it and found the complete collection of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons on DVD. To this day I don’t know how Dan and Cherrie figured out that I was an Oswald fanatic. At the speaker dinner that night I met Sarah Parmenter and asked her what her speaker gift was. She said she got a speaker box but there wasn’t anything specific in there for her. I asked what was in the box and she said. “Chocolates. coffee, Snyders pretzels…” I stopped her and asked why Snyders pretzels? She looked at me and said, “you didn’t get Snyders pretzels? They are the most amazing pretzels in the world and we can’t get them in England.” I told her that was her special gift and she looked puzzled. She went on to tell me that when she was a child she had a pen pal in the states who sent the pretzels to her and she fell in love with them. “But how would they know I loved them?”
That story sums up why Frontend Design Conference was so special. Because Dan and Cherrie cared about everyone enough to find out what mattered to them.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you Dan and Cherrie. You are amazing.
Dan and Cherrie… what can I say? The first time I met Dan in the flesh, he was picking me up from my flight into Florida for Front-end Design Conf 2012. I was a scruffy Canadian with far too much clothing on for the weather and no clue where I was. If you know Dan, you know that his smile lights up a room and was one of the most welcoming sights a foreigner could ask.
I was extremely nervous, only having spoken at a few conferences at that time. I didn’t know if my content would translate well; Be long enough; Speak to the crowd; Or be useful. Quickly though, Dan and Cherrie made me feel right at home, easing all of my fears. They introduced me to other speakers and attendees; Many of which they considered close friends; And, who in turn, became my close friends. They went out of their ways to personalize your experience and make you feel apart of the tight-nit community they had created.
To anyone who wasn’t able to attend one of these incredible conferences, I can tell you that you missed some amazing experiences; Filled with love, laughter and lots of learning. These events will be missed deeply.
Thanks for everything you’ve done and are doing now and in the future Cherrie and Dan! You were and still are the ultimate tag-team. Next time, drinks are on me!
~ Darcy
P.S. I want that faux-hawk card board caricature of me Dan!
Dan Denney never seems to ask for anything. He’s always the giver, always finding out ways to help other people. The Front-end Design Conference in St. Pete, and the newly minted Portland edition, are clear examples of this.
I’ve been to all of the St. Pete conferences with the exception of one, and it’s the conference that I look forward to every year. I know that the speakers and attendees, as always, will be top-notch, and I’ll be provided with the opportunity to meet an amazing group of people in the industry.
In addition to thanking Dan for everything, I want thank Cherrie Denney, and Dan’s entire family, who work tirelessly each year to ensure that everything goes perfectly for the speakers and attendees. This year, I was fortunate enough to witness it first-hand by watching Dan make airport runs all day to pick up the speakers, while Cherrie ensured that everything was running smoothly, calmly fixing a share of issues along the way. It was at that moment that I realized it’s no surprise they put on such a stellar conference each year.
I know that Dan will continue to support and grow the front-end and design community in a thousand other ways. That, I am absolutely sure of. This is no goodbye.
I first met Dan and Cherrie when I attended Front End Design Conference in 2011. I was new to the tech community and wasn’t sure if I belonged there. That feeling lasted for about an hour. I met some of the best, warmest people I know that weekend, many of whom I still consider friends. I only wish I had heard about it sooner.
It was that warmth and love that compelled me to submit a talk for 2013. I’d never spoken in public before, but Dan, for God knows what reason, decided to give me a chance. And that chance has changed the trajectory of my life.
This past year, I’ve had the opporunity to speak at several conferences, chat with a couple of my web heroes and mentor women in public speaking. But I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do any of it without the encouragement and gentle push from Dan. For that, I’m forever grateful.
Plus, Cherrie introduced me to the awesomeness of bacon-themed desserts. That alone deserves a standing ovation.
Dan and Cherrie created something special. It was more than a conference. It was a family. It was home. And there will never be another place like it.
Thank you <3
I’ve attended a lot of conferences, very few have been the caliber of yours. When we chatted on the ride to and from the airport, aside from the Pearl Jam talk, it was great to hear how you very specifically pick your speakers for more than their knowledge but for their characteristics. Not many conference organizers would even consider to go to that length, but you do, and that’s what makes you and your conferences special–you genuinely care. Thank you SO much for the way that you give back to our community. You will indeed be missed! Don’t stay gone for too long…
I first met Dan while I was still a student at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Thanks to Brandon Brown who invited him to come talk to our soon-to-be graduating class, we were lucky to see one of those very rare sightings of Dan speaking to a crowd. Anthony Colangelo, Alicia Brooks, and Tyler Matthews, and Zachary Nicoll were there watching Dan talk about community, about passion, about sharing. He exuded kindness and care and so did Cherrie who was also sitting in the room.
The best part about this moment was that Dan was terrified. He was visibly nervous since the limelight isn’t really his thing. He’s just so good at finding the right people to learn from and give them the floor.
After we graduated, we met up again at Front-End Design Conference 2011. We met great friends, future co-workers, and heroes there. I had the chance to learn from and talk to some of the people who inspired me the most in this community and I even discovered lesser known folks who inspired me even more through kindness, generosity and good spirits.
I hate dancing, and although I’m quite the shower singer, it’s really hard for to enjoy performing in public but for the past four years there are few things I look forward to more than karaoke night at Front-End. Hanging out and letting lose with old and new friends there has been the beautiful red thread that has held the beginning of my career together.
In 2012, Anthony Colangelo, Tyler Matthews and I had landed gigs at Happy Cog, Full Sail and Code School respectively. We were booking our tickets and since we wanted to be funny in the hopes that Dan and Cherrie would see it, we used the “Special Request” section to ask for “Teddybears with lasers for eyes” or something silly like that. It was a joke. Something to make them smile.
When we got to our room in St. Petersburg the day before the conference, this is what awaited us on our beds:
Three teddybears with a badge for each of our companies and little laser pointers around their necks. We were confused for a moment, and then we remembered our silly little request. I remember being torn between being floored and sheer hilarity. It was amazing. It was the kind of little touch that Dan and Cherrie put on everything. Now that I’m lucky enough to work with Dan, I can tell you this is something that permeates everything this guy does. An insanely great care about the tiniest of delightful details.
If it weren’t for the things Dan and his family taught me, either directly or through the voices of so many good people, I wouldn’t be were I am today. I can promise you that. It’s our turn to pay it forward now.
Being fresh into the web field and still in college there were times when I felt discouraged and intimidated when talking with others in the industry, I definitely experienced impostor syndrome as @elyseholladay mentioned in her talk this year.
But when I met Dan at Design Orlando he was so excited to see young students like myself wanting to get involved in the field and the community. He continued to show this excitement and support as Front-End Conference approached by reaching out all the students at UCF wanting to participate. Dan always ensured that nobody ever felt alienated or lost and truly wanted to instill his love the the web and its community in others.
Cherry and Dan, Thank you for teaching me to be as passionate about my work and community as you are!
2013 was my first Front-End Conf. Dan and Cherrie really made me feel like part of their family. Over the past year I’ve come to think of them not as colleagues but as friends. That’s just how they treat everyone. The work they’ve put in hasn’t just made a first class conference, but a really great, diverse community. It’s been a real honor to be part of the conference in 2014, but more importantly the community I’ve joined continues to challenge me to improve my own skills.
I can’t say thank you enough to everyone involved, especially the attendees that have made me feel like we’ve been friends for years.