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Unlocking GrafanaCON 2026: What You Need to Know

5 min read Grafana Blog
PractitionerHands-on experience recommended

GrafanaCON is the largest community conference dedicated to celebrating Grafana and its vibrant open-source ecosystem. This event is crucial for engineers looking to deepen their understanding of observability tools and practices. It serves as a hub for knowledge sharing, networking, and hands-on learning, addressing the growing need for effective monitoring and visualization in complex systems.

At GrafanaCON 2026, you can participate in hands-on labs where Grafana Labs engineers guide you through practical exercises. This is not just a passive learning experience; it's an opportunity to get your hands dirty with real-world scenarios. Additionally, the Golden Grot Awards will highlight the top three dashboards in both professional and personal categories, showcasing innovative uses of Grafana that can inspire your own projects.

To make the most of GrafanaCON, be prepared to engage actively in sessions and discussions. The event will feature Grafana version 13, so familiarize yourself with its capabilities and enhancements. This knowledge will help you leverage the latest features effectively. Remember, the value of attending lies not just in the sessions but in the connections you make with other professionals in the observability space.

Key takeaways

  • Attend hands-on labs to gain practical experience with Grafana.
  • Explore the Golden Grot Awards to see top dashboard designs.
  • Network with Grafana Labs engineers and other observability professionals.
  • Stay updated on Grafana version 13 features to maximize your learning.

Why it matters

GrafanaCON 2026 is a pivotal event for engineers focused on observability, providing direct access to the latest tools and community insights. Engaging in hands-on labs can significantly enhance your practical skills, making you more effective in your role.

When NOT to use this

The official docs don't call out specific anti-patterns here. Use your judgment based on your scale and requirements.

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