About KCDs

Previsouly known as Kubernetes Community Days, KCDs are community-organized events backed by CNCF support. They gather adopters and technologists from open source and cloud native communities to learn, collaborate, and network to further advancement in Kubernetes and other Cloud Native technologies. They also are a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people and build community.

Host a KCD

Each event brings its own local flair, culture, diversity, and authenticity. For more about details about organizing an event see the organizing page. Check the project board to join one being organized near you or create an issue to organize your own.

Core Organizers

Audra Montenegro and Katie Greenley
Contact: kcd@cncf.io

Contact a specific event

Organization is decentralized. Local events handle their own sponsorships, registration, and all other organizations. For questions about a specific event you see listed on the site, contact the local organizers for that event; their email is on their contact page.

The Organizer Experience

Organizing an event can be daunting, if you are new at this, some organizers suggest getting your feet wet with a one-day event, or two half-day events. Even if you have a small event of 100 people, the same amount of detail should still be considered. That is why we at the CNCF are here to guide you. Please take advantage of the resources above. Please note - we are always working on adding more and bettering what we already have.

We are now hosting a monthly KCD Organizer focus group. As of now, it will be the 3rd Tuesday of each month, for 1 hour, from 7:00 - 8:00am PT / 10:00 - 11:00am ET / 4:00 - 5:00pm CEST. Please contact kcd@cncf.io if you would like to be added, or if you would like an additional time that accommodates your region.

CNCF Support

• A personalized email address and private CNCF workspace Slack channel for the KCD organizers
• Website and ticket support for community.cncf.io (Bevy platform)
• CFP support with the Sessionize platform
• Monthly meetings to help keep you on track
• Access to monthly CNCF-hosted Working Groups
• Speaker and vendor introductions as needed
• Marketing support via social media, KubeWeekly newsletter, and CNCG blog posts
• CNCF is happy to contribute $250 USD to each KCD starting in 2023. This can be used in the CNCF store towards stickers.
• Each KCD will be provided 10 Linux Foundation certification vouchers that work for SkillCreds, PCA, KCNA, CKS, and CKAD, CKA exams. Some past usages of these are, 1. giving a voucher to a volunteer to show your gratitude. 2. Use it as a raffle item within a workshop.
• Each organizer on the KCD planning team will automatically earn a badge of recogning from The Linux Foundation.
• 1 additional Credly badge to recognize your speakers OR volunteers. If organizers choose to offer this, CNCF will provide a form to fill out their request. 1 request per KCD. Each KCD should prepare the artwork in a square image, but with a circular badge. See examples here. Submit your request here.
• As of 2024 we are gifting 1 scholarship to a KubeCon of each KCD's choice (3 KubeCons happen in one year). The only stipulation is you are a KCD within the year of nomination, and your KCD has signed your venue contract. More details can be found here.

Want to host a KCD? Here are the first steps:

STEP 1: Submit an issue in GitHub using the provided check-list template and we will schedule a kickoff meeting from there, as well as provide you with more resources.

IMPORTANT: These are the terms within the checklist that must be abided by. Note - There are exceptions to these requirements in some jurisdictions due to applicable laws & regulations.

Terms

• As of June 2024 - Community events like KCDs should be no larger than 500 people. The organizing team should cap their tickets at this amount, which includes organizers, speakers, and sponsors.
• You can apply as early as 8 months prior to the desired event date for your KCD. If your GitHub issue is submitted ahead of then, CNCF will wait to host a kick-off call until the 8-month mark (provided you meet the below terms). IMPORTANT: Your KCD will not be confirmed/approved unless you have a kick-off call and schedule monthly check-ins with CNCF.
• When applying, make sure there are no other KCDs in same major city (check with past organizers)
• Each KCD must consider having their event at least 2 months apart from other pre-planned KCDs within a 2-hour flight away happening in the same language, unless otherwise approved by CNCF. Other events to be considered are any event held by CNCF or Linux Foundation. Have a look at the events calendar to assure your KCD will not compete with another events sponsorships or speakers. Insight into KCDs not yet LIVE but in the planning phases will live in the KCD GitHub issues.
• Minimum of 3 organizers from 3 different organizations
• Every organizer has an account on Cloud Native Community Groups
• The majority of organizers must live in, or just outside of the KCD location
• At least one organizer is a CNCF ambassador OR CNCF project maintainer
• All organizers agree to follow the event guidelines and CNCF Code of Conduct
• All inquiries / communication to come via GitHub forum for easy tracking
• All organizers have taken Inclusive Open Source Community Orientation (LFC102)
• Agree to use the new KCD logo and work with a CNCF core program manager to make it unique to your KCD.
• Agree to offer at least 3 complimentary tickets to increase diversity for the event
• Agree to share the sponsor prospectus with CNCF by linking it in your GitHub issue and on your website.
• Agree to use Sessionize for CFP and to close it at least 8 weeks before the event, and launch the agenda at least 6 weeks prior to your event. CNCF will provide an event code so Sessionize is free to use if you are charging an event fee.
• Agree to ensure the final program schedule is diverse (e.g., not all speakers of one gender, culture or company). Here is how you can create a diverse lineup.
• Agree to submit your final lineup to kcd@cncf.io for review, prior to publishing it
• Agree to use the designation CNCF registration platform, or have opt-in lagnuage for attendees to agree for CNCF to contact them about future events. KCD registration questions can be found here which also helps populate your transparency report.
• Agree to produce a transparency report after your KCD. CNCF will provide a editable copy of this Canva template for guidance.

NOTE: CNCF reserves the right to decline any event the usage of our KCD trademark due to:

• Failure to follow protocols
• Conflict of dates
• Failure to follow the CoC
• International sanction limitations

Due to international sanctions, there are limitations on supporting community events in certain regions. Those events will not follow our usual KCD support model, and are published here only for community awareness if they agree to abide by the KCD guidelines.

STEP 2: Request to be added to the kcd-organizers CNCF Slack channel.

STEP 3: Schedule a kick-off meeting with Audra Montenegro (kcd@cncf.io) if you at least have 3 committeed organizers, a community wanting to attend an event like a KCD, and a time frame goal.