12 Top Software Testing Conferences You Should Attend in 2017

It’s nearing the end of the year, and that means it’s time to set professional and personal goals for the coming year.

If you’re anything like most software testers, you’ll aim to improve the quality and speed of testing in the new year. So, how do you go about achieving these goals?

Software testing conferences are not only an opportunity to meet industry leaders and people facing similar problems; they’re also a way to break yourself out of your day-to-day and pick up new skills that you can take back to the office. Hopefully, that will help you improve processes and the quality of work your team does.

However, there are a lot of conferences out there and you have to choose carefully. After all, as valuable as conferences can be, they’re time away from the office. So, we’ve compiled a list of the top software testing conferences you should attend in 2017.

Atlassian Summit: Fall 2017 in San Jose, CA

Each year, Atlassian Summit’s cult-like following of developers and software testers gather from all over the world. The conference is a fun-filled, information-rich experience packed full of great sessions, keynotes, and a fantastic “Summit Bash” party. Summit focuses mainly on Atlassian products like JIRA Software, Confluence, and BitBucket and platforms. The event is supported by a wealth of information on DevOps, software testing, Agile development methodologies, and collaboration.

STAREAST 2017: May 7-12 in Orlando, FL

STAREAST is one of the longest-running and most respected conferences on software testing and quality assurance. The event week features several learning and networking opportunities and covers a wide variety of software testing topics. Software testers can explore a technology and service expo to check out new technologies for their teams. There’s also STARWEST in Anaheim, CA (October 2-7, 2017) and STARCANADA, Toronto, ON (October 23-28, 2017).

Quality Jam 2017: April 18-19, 2017 in Atlanta, GA

Quality Jam is focused on helping testing and development teams work smarter, faster and deliver higher quality software. This two-day event brings together technology thought leaders, executives and practitioners from all over the world. QASymphony really brings up the bar for software testing conferences with an all-star speaker lineup including Michael Bolton, Keith Klain, Jeffrey S. Hammond and more, entertainment speakers like Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark from the popular podcast “Stuff You Should Know” and an unforgettable welcome party at Sweetwater Brewery.

Test Bash Brighton 2017: March 23-24, 2017 in Brighton 

TestBash Brighton is back for its sixth year. The two-day event will be hosting Michael Bolton, Richard Bradshaw, Mark Winteringham, and Dan Ashby. If you can’t make it to the UK, they usually do an NYC TestBash.

Quest 2017: April 3-7, 2017 in Chicago, IL

QUEST offers classes, tutorials, educational sessions, hand-on workshops, discussions groups, and networking events. There is also a large expo where you can check out the latest software tools and services.

STARWEST 2017: October 2-10, 2017 in Anaheim, CA

STARWEST is one of the longest-running, and most respected conferences on software testing and quality assurance. They hold the conference around the Disney parks so you might be able to work-in a little vacation with the trip. There’s also STAREAST, Orlando, FL (May 7-12, 2017) and STARCANADA, Toronto, ON (October 23-28, 2017).

STPCon (Software Testing Professionals Conference): March 14-17, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ

STPCon is a leading event where test leadership, management and strategy converge. Topics covered including Agile testing, performance testing, test automation, mobile application testing, and test team leadership and management.

Atlassian Summit Europe 2017: May 2-5, 2016 in Barcelona

This year, Atlassian Summit is combining their smaller European conference, AtlasCamp, with Summit — creating the first ever Atlassian Summit Europe Conference. We couldn’t be more excited about the new conference. They are telling us to expect an epic week of training, keynotes, sessions, and one awesome party.

Agile Testing Days: Fall 2017 in Potsdam, Germany

The Agile Testing Days is a festival for the Agile community of software testing experts, QA professionals, and Agile leaders.

Agile2017: August 7-11 in Orlando, FL

Agile Alliance puts together a great conference for anyone in the Agile world. The annual North American conference is dedicated to furthering Agile principles and providing a venue for people and ideas to flourish.

Better Software West 2017: October 2-10, 2017 in Anaheim, CA

The Better Software West Conference keeps you current on the entire development lifecycle. All Better Software Conferences are held in conjunction with Agile Dev Conferences and DevOps Conferences, allowing you to choose from three distinct programs. There’s also Better Software East, Orlando, FL (Fall 2017).

Stac 2017: Fall 2017 in Atlanta, GA

STAC was founded by a group of testers with one goal: develop the type of conference we always wanted to attend. They created an annual conference focused on testing that allows software testers to share real world experiences and gain knowledge from the best and brightest in QA. QUEST offers classes, tutorials, educational sessions, hand-on workshops, discussions groups, and networking events.

I hope this list gives you some ideas on where to go and what to do this year. We hope to see you at some of these great software testing conferences in 2016!