The best software QA and testing conferences of 2023
Automation Best practices Management Agile
12 mins read
February 10, 2023

The best software QA and testing conferences of 2023-2024

Now that the pandemic is subsiding, the community has an amazing mix of offline and online software testing conferences. In this article, we will cover some upcoming events in Europe and beyond.

photo
photo
Tania Zhydkova
Denis Matusovskiy

Testμ 2023

When: August 22-24

Where: Online

Testμ 2023 (pronounced TestMu) Conference is a free 3-day event by LambdaTest that features speakers from all over the world. It is one of the biggest events on our list with over 6,000 testers and developers attending last year. 

This year’s event will have a few dozen sessions on a range of topics. Over 40 speakers will share their experience in mobile testing, visual regression testing, accessibility, and more. The organisers expect to attract over 10,000 specialists in 2023.

Attendance requires free registration.

 

Test Automation Meetup

When: June 28

Where: Online

June’s Test Automation Meetup is a short and sweet online event with two sessions. Thomas Haver will talk about test automation strategies, prioritisation, and budgeting. Marcel Veselka will then continue with an overview of testing bots, the efficiency gains, and the ways to introduce bots promptly. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, organisers are publishing video recordings as well.

Visit ZappleTech’s website to sign up for free.

Robocon 2023

When: January 17-20, March 1-3

Where: Helsinki+Online

Robocon is the first of many QA conferences 2023 will bless us with. It will start with practical workshops, continue with an open-space day, and culminate in a packed 2-day main event. Full access costs just below €‎1,500, and it comes with recordings from the 2022 event.

The online part will actually take place in early March. The organisers promise at least 50% original content alongside recordings from the Helsinki event. Participation is €434. 

Automation Guild Online Conference 2023

When: Feb 6-10

Where: Online

2023 marks the 7th global QA conference on test automation from TestGuild. The organisers promise to hold 40 training and Q&A sessions hosted by over 40 experts. They expect at least 2,600 people to attend the online event.

Packed as testing conferences often are, the event currently has 8 sessions scheduled per day. Feb 8-10 will cover functional automation, while the last two days are booked for non-functional automation topics. It costs $200 to attend the functional testing portion, while the full ticket is $300. Both tickets are advertised to provide lifetime VOD access.

Testing, Agile, DevOps and Low code Showcase: Methods and Tools

When: Feb 9, Feb 23

Where: Manchester and Bengaluru

UNICOM will host what are practically two public talk events on very practical matters. These conferences will cover user acceptance testing, implementing Agile in the government domain, and broadening testing in the DevOps pipeline among others. The Bengaluru event will have a local awards ceremony to wrap up the day.

The events feature dynamic pricing, and all early bird tickets are unavailable by now. The Manchester event is now £660 for in-person and £114 for online. The Bengaluru conference would cost you ₹11,800 (≈$145) to visit or $90 to watch online.

Selenium Conference 2023

When: March 28-30

Where: Chicago

While looking for the best QA conferences, you can’t miss one dedicated to the best test automation framework. The Selenium conference is a celebration of an open-source community that drives QA automation forward. The sessions range from a large overview of the Selenium codebase to non-automation use cases for Selenium that boost QA team productivity

The event starts with a day of workshops into two days of the actual conference. A regular conference-only ticket will cost you $700, while participating in workshops bumps that to $1,100. The organisers also secured a discounted hotel rate for the attendees. 

As QA conferences do not focus much on AI this year, we did it ourselves. Our AI testing trends overview explores traditional and new ways to leverage artificial intelligence. The list includes use cases made possible by ChatGPT and solutions that utilise the same language model.

image
3z1dfaac43755e55961b8c0abfa1c9d96c71dc87d8a6cf148c67965b7e80710b5c
ai lead magnet

Learn the 5 AI testing trends to save 12.8 hrs/week per specialist

German Testing Day 2023

When: May 23-24

Where: Frankfurt am Main

As a German company, we had to highlight the annual QA conference that takes place in Germany. It is a 2-day event that returns to in-person after the pandemic made last year’s event online-only. Unfortunately, the programme is yet to be published.

The organisers, however, have already started to sell tickets. It will cost you €535 to attend both days, and every third ticket is free. 

Test Automation Days 2023

When: May 24-25

Where: Utrecht

If you are feeling adventurous, you can actually attend two back-to-back QA events in Europe. The Utrecht event will start with a day full of masterclasses before a 1-day conference. Artificial intelligence will be a major focus of the event with a full schedule released at a later date.

Attending the masterclasses will cost you €445, while the conference day will set you back another €395. You can save €50 by purchasing a two-day ticket. 

Agile Testing Days Open Air Festival

When: June 13-15

Where: Cologne

Agile Testing Days are back with another three-day event held right at Blackfoot Beach in Cologne. This is one of the most packed events on the list with at least two talks and/or workshops going on at the same time. There is a strong emphasis on networking as well. 

The early bird pricing for ATD is €1,200 with full access, shuttles, and meals included. It will go up to €1,500 at the end of April. ATD will also host a more formal event in Potsdam in November with programming and pricing to be revealed later.

Testing United Conference

When: 4 – 5 September 2023 

Where: Bratislava 

Testing United Conference is a prominent gathering that caters to testers of all levels. This includes test leads, test managers, consultants, and IT professionals regularly engaged with testing teams. The conference stands out as an opportunity for experts to convene and share insights with a specific geographical focus. 

By drawing participants from the extended Central Europe region, the quality assurance conference has adopted a distinctive approach since 2018. It rotates its location among significant cities like Vienna, Prague, and now Bratislava. Under the theme “2023: Tester’s Place in Universe, Metaverse & Beyond,” this year’s conference promises to delve into the evolving role of the testing community. 

With their wealth of experience, various speakers will offer valuable perspectives on the transformative changes shaping the testing landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned tester or a relative newcomer, Testing United Conference 2023 in Bratislava is an excellent opportunity to explore the latest trends, network with experts, and gain insights that will help you navigate the dynamic testing world.

AutomationSTAR 2023

When: November (Exact Dates TBA) 

Where: Berlin, Germany 

AutomationSTAR 2023 is on the horizon, bringing forth the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, and best practices to Berlin this November. This conference has earned the distinction of being Europe’s fastest-growing test automation conference, falling under the EuroSTAR Event umbrella. 

AutomationSTAR is a test automation conference catering to a motivated audience of test enthusiasts. This conference presents an expansive canvas with knowledge, insights, and compelling case studies spanning a diverse spectrum of automation themes. From fundamental principles to advanced methodologies, AutomationSTAR will cover the entire landscape of automation-related topics. Programme Chair, Chris Loder from Canada, supported by the capable committee members John Kent (UK) and Sophie Küster (Germany), has shaped the event’s program. This assembly of seasoned professionals ensures a well-curated array of talks. Attendees can anticipate two days brimming with captivating insights and networking possibilities.

Software Quality Days

When: April 24th – 25th, 2024 

Where: Vienna 

The Software Quality Days are a cornerstone of Europe’s software quality conference landscape. Renowned for their significance, these gatherings are a focal point for individuals interested in quality assurance and testing. Apart from featuring distinguished keynote addresses, the conference encompasses extensive specialised lectures, a dedicated specialist exhibition, and tutorial sessions, among other components. 

The event offers a rich assortment of meticulously designed avenues for professional development, knowledge exchange, and networking in software quality. For those seeking a close engagement with the nuances of software quality, the Software Quality Days of 2024 in Vienna will be an enriching experience with insightful presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities.

Get a taste of German QA approach

Try aqua ALM

EuroSTAR 2023 Software Testing Conference

When: June 13-16

Where: Antwerp

Unfortunately, ATD overlaps with EuroSTAR, a powerhouse of QA conferences. The event covers practically everything there is to cover about QA and beyond, such as soft skills and team environment. There will be up to 4 concurrent talks and workshops at a time.

Individual tickets are €2,400 without the workshop day and €2,800 with it included. Big teams can save as much as 30% with a 10-for-7 group ticket. 

TestBash UK 2023

When: September 20-21

Where: Liverpool

One of the most influential QA communities, the Ministry of Testing will hold a practical offline event this September. The schedule is yet to be released, which is expected for an event that will take place more than half a year later. If you are interested in QA management problems and their solutions, a grassroots event like TestBash is a promising option. 

A full-price ticket is £800 with £50 off for Ministry of Testing Pro members. There is a small group discount that gets bigger with every 5 tickets purchased. 

QA&TEST Embedded 2023

When: October 18-20

Where: Bilbao

QA&TEST Embedded 2023 is one of the most seasoned testing events that has been running for over 20 years. Although the name suggests a more practical event on applying QA testing tools in B2B environments, there was a range of thought-provoking talks as well. Last year had a good number of AI-focused sessions before all the ChatGPT buzz, too.

Pricing and schedule will be revealed at a later date.

Final words

2023 is an exciting year for QA conferences. Many events are returning to offline for the first time in three years. The infrastructure and general acceptance for remote speakers improve the online attendance experience and enable cross-continental guest appearances. In-person events also bring new business opportunities that can help QA-focused companies ride out the recession. 

Saving time on QA: January 1 – December 31

Try aqua ALM
On this page:
See more
Speed up your releases x2 with aqua
Start for free
step
FAQ
What are the benefits of attending QA conferences?

The primary benefit is getting insights that would have otherwise cost much more in consultancy hours. Networking is also great for both personal career development and the team’s prospects.

Will there be free QA events in 2023?

Very few quality assurance conferences are free. The best way to still see engaging Q&A sessions and insightful talks is go through conferences and see if they have last years’ recordings available online. 

What is the best QA conference in 2023?

EuroSTAR 2023 Software Testing Conference is an enormous event with 4 days of four sessions going on at the same time. While some online conferences could secure more attendees, they are unlikely to attract as many speakers as EuroSTAR does. 

closed icon