Open Community Experience (OCX) returns to Brussels from 13 to 15 April 2027, and there has never been a better time to get involved. Europe’s leading open source developer conference brings together developers, maintainers, engineering leaders, researchers, organisations, and the communities shaping the future of open technology.
This year, OCX moves to Tour & Taxis, a beautifully renovated former freight and customs complex on the Brussels canal. It is a space where heritage meets technology, in a city at the heart of Europe’s tech and policy landscape.
At the centre of OCX 2027 is one idea: community is the catalyst. At OCX, you do more than listen. You learn directly from the people building open technology, work through real challenges together in hands-on workshops, and make connections.
The program covers the areas developers need to understand as open source moves deeper into industry, infrastructure, and regulation.
Artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicles, Java and runtimes, embedded systems and IoT, security, open regulatory compliance, cloud native technologies, and research and innovation.
Whether you want to learn, speak, support, or spread the word, here are five ways to be part of OCX 2027.
1. Register and join us in Brussels
The simplest way to experience OCX is to be there. Three days of technical sessions, interactive workshops, and networking across all five tracks give you practical insight you can apply as soon as you get back to work.
You will learn from the developers, maintainers, and researchers doing the work. Through Birds of a Feather sessions, community meetups, and evening networking, you will meet the projects, contributors, and working groups behind the technologies you use every day. Registering early is the best way to secure the best price.
2. Submit a talk
The Call for Proposals is open now. Share what you are building, what issues you have solved, and what you have learned. Whether you are preparing your first talk or returning to the OCX stage, we want to hear from you.
OCX 2027 is organised around five tracks. Many of the best ideas cross boundaries, so choose the track that best reflects the main focus of your proposal. It does not have to fit perfectly.
Software-defined systems & mobility
software-defined vehicles, embedded and edge systems, robotics, and autonomous systems.
Modern software development
AI-assisted and agentic development, languages and runtimes, cloud native, developer tools, DevOps, and platform engineering.
Digital autonomy & technological sovereignty
how open technologies help organisations and governments build resilient systems and reduce critical dependencies.
Cybersecurity & regulatory compliance
secure development, supply chain security, SBOMs, and the practical impact of the Cyber Resilience Act and AI Act.
Research & innovation
applied research, open science, collaborative R&D, and moving research into production.
Key dates
- Early submission deadline: 9 November 2026
- Final submission deadline: 6 December 2026
Submit by the early deadline to be considered for early program announcements and promotion. Everyone who submits will be notified of the outcome.
What makes a strong proposal? We are not looking for polished pitches. We are looking for useful ideas and genuine experience. Show us something real, share what worked and what did not, be clear about who your session is for, and leave attendees with something they can use. First-time speakers are very welcome.
Accepted speakers receive complimentary access to the full conference, an invitation to the speaker dinner in Brussels, promotion through OCX channels, and a recording of their session on the OCX YouTube channel.
3. Join OCX Webinar Week
Can’t wait until April? Get a first look at the OCX 2027 program during OCX Webinar Week, running online from 2 to 6 November 2026.
Speakers from across the open source community will cover topics from AI agents to embedded systems, and you can ask your questions to them live. Each webinar belongs to one of the five OCX tracks.
The OCX Webinar Week is free, online, and a great way to explore the themes of the conference before deciding which sessions you want to see in person. It is also a useful source of inspiration if you are still shaping a talk proposal before the early submission deadline on 9 November.
4. Sponsor OCX 2027
Sponsorship puts your organisation at the centre of that conversation, alongside the technologies shaping tomorrow’s software, from automotive and AI to security, Java, and digital sovereignty.
With 600+ attendees, 100+ speakers, and three days in the heart of Brussels, OCX gives sponsors the chance to:
Engage when it matters
building visibility and relationships with power users and adopters in key open source communities.
Step into the spotlight
among leading technology companies, in front of practitioners, leaders, and decision makers.
Recruit top talent
by connecting with the current and future leaders of the industry.
Attract leads
and build lasting relationships across automotive, AI, security, and beyond.
Take the stage
with a speaking slot or workshop that positions you as a trusted thought leader.
Packages range from entry-level visibility to headline branding, so there is an option for organisations of every size.
5. Become a media or local partner
Help us bring the open source community together in Brussels. OCX partners with publications, organisations, user groups, and local communities to extend its reach and connect more people with the open source ecosystem. There are two ways to get involved:
- Media partners, from any country, help us reach a wider audience through coverage, features, and promotion.
- Local partners, based in Belgium, help us connect with and engage the local tech community.
In return, partners receive a free conference pass, press room access, logo placement on the OCX website, a dedicated social media post, and a partner social kit with branded assets and suggested copy.
See you in Brussels
However you choose to take part, you will be joining a community that learns, builds, and moves forward together. Register, submit your ideas, tune in to Webinar Week, or help us bring more people into the conversation.
Explore the OCX 2027 website and find your way to get involved.
