## [5 Things We’re Looking Forward to at Explode Conference](/blog/5-things-were-looking-forward-explode-conference) Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Take cover, because London is set for an explosion of creative proportions later this week as business leaders, designers, developers, artists and entrepreneurs gather to take in [Explode Conference](http://explodeconf.com/). Promising to “share and provoke,” we’re excited to send a good portion of the team down the road to take part in the event. In anticipation of the gathering, here’s what we’re most looking forward to... **1. Learning What Happens Where Design and Development Meet** What does it take for these increasingly overlapping disciplines to create good (or bad) user experiences? With a bunch of designers and developers slated to speak on the subject, we’re confident we’ll be walking away from the conference with some clearer answers. **2. Discovering Community by Design** With a slew of presenters coming from a community-engaged perspective/practice (including Toronto’s [Una Lee](http://unalee.net/about), Hamilton’s [Chris Farias](http://www.kitestring.ca/chris-farias.php) and Chicago’s [Jessica Cobb](http://www.jessicacobb.com/)), we’ve got a hunch there may be some larger culture-making conversations going on at Explode...making it a conference that just might move further beyond pixels than expected. **3. Meeting in Fanshawe’s “new” digs** Having such [a top-notch program situated in our city’s core](https://www.fanshawec.ca/) is more than convenient: it’s essential to supporting the city’s growing creative class. We couldn’t be more excited to hang out in the space for a few days and act like we’re back in school—where new ideas are around every corner and everything else is within walking distance. **4. Seeing Old Friends** We’ve written about this [in more detail here](http://www.ellipsis.digital/blog/2016/4/20/flight-risk), but it’d be a shame not to mention how excited we are to hear from some old friends like [Denise](http://www.speezyd.com/), [Damon](https://medium.com/@thedamon) and [Chantelle](http://pranayogawellness.ca/)… **5. Making New Friends** With [a portfolio review](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explode-conference-building-a-professional-creative-practice-tickets-24968624829?aff=es2), an after-party-that-starts-before-the-conference-is-even-over and some generous lunch breaks, Explode is offering ample opportunity to make some new friends. And with their effort to bring in attendees from across more than a few disciplines, we’re especially looking forward to some great variety in those we’re brushing shoulders with. **Heading to the conference yourself?** Let us know what you’re most excited about in the comments. **Not registered yet?** At press time there were only a few tix left, so [get in while you still can](https://www.picatic.com/explodeconference)!