Friendships, collaborations, and breakthroughs
The fun, the learning, and the inspiration don't stop when you walk out of the convention center. Some of the most memorable moments from PyCon US happen in the lobby at 10 pm, laughing with someone you only knew as a username until an hour ago; over breakfast, where a casual conversation turns into a collaboration that lasts years; and on the walks to and from the conference. PyCon US hotels have their own lore.
We asked people about their experiences and were overwhelmed, it turns out that everyone has a story!
"One story stands out to me beyond getting to know each other and sharing ideas. When I was getting ready to give my first PyCon talk in Montreal, Selena Deckelmann offered to help review my slides and listen to me practice. We spent a few hours on the floor of her hotel room prepping while her very young daughter crawled around on the floor and chewed on my PyCon badge since she was teething. It's still one of my favorite PyCon and PyLadies memories.” - Carol Willing, Willing Consulting
“The hotel lobby last year turned into a makeshift meetup after the PyLadies Auction. People were having a great time at the auction and kept the energy going in the lobby afterward. Everyone was there, even those who hadn't attended the auction. Luckily, the hotel also sold my favorite chocolate milk in the lobby, so I got to end my evening drinking milk and chatting with Python friends.” - Cheuk Ting Ho (the PyLady who loves the auction and karaoke)
"In Pittsburgh a couple of years ago I was having breakfast at the hotel, when a guy I didn't know spotted my Python T-shirt and introduced himself. It was his first PyCon and my 21st, and we ended up having breakfast together. I gave him a few tips on enjoying a PyCon, but it turned out he was also a guitarist, so we spent most of breakfast talking about music and playing guitar.” - Naomi Ceder, former board chair and loooong time PyCon goer
"I ran into Trey Hunner during my first PyCon US in the hotel lobby as a PSF employee. He was running a Cabo game. He immediately welcomed me and showed me how to play. (He’s a great teacher, so I won three rounds in a row!) I also met a bunch of lovely people who have been attending PyCon US for years and years, and I learned that there is almost always a Cabo game in the hotel lobby." - Deb Nicholson (PSF Executive Director & resident Cabo shark)
“One of my most memorable hotel lobby moments was a chance encounter with Thomas Wouters. We fell into a natural conversation about his work and his deep, genuine pride in the Python Software Foundation community. He spoke warmly about the people who make the community what it is and what it means to him to be part of it. What I had no idea at the time was that just three days later, he would be called up on stage and announced as a Distinguished Service Award recipient — one of the highest honors the Python Software Foundation gives.” - Abigail Dogbe, PSF Board Member
“Juggling in the hotel lobby turned into an unexpected highlight of the conference. We had started teaching each other — my fault entirely for bringing the juggling balls — when a teenager and his mom wandered through on their way to see Pearl Jam. The kid's eyes lit up the moment he saw us, so I waved them over and started teaching him. Turns out they'd booked that very hotel hoping to cross paths with the band. He was excited about everything, and she was right there with him, every bit as thrilled.” - Ned Batchelder, Python Core Team and Netflix, Software Engineer
And this year, instead of sitting in LA-to-Long Beach traffic, consider staying in the official conference hotel block because there's too much to miss if you're too far away.
Real Talk: Why booking a room via PyCon US matters
If you're planning to attend PyCon US, please consider booking your stay within the official conference hotel block.
When attendees reserve rooms through the block, it helps the conference meet its contractual commitments with the venue, which directly impacts the overall cost of hosting the event.
Strong participation in the hotel block helps PyCon US:
Keep registration prices as low as possible while continuing to invest in programs that support our community, like travel grants, accessibility services, and community events.
When rooms go unfilled in the block, the conference incurs major financial penalties that ultimately make the event more expensive to run for everyone.
By booking in the hotel block, you are giving back and helping keep PyCon US sustainable and affordable for the entire Python community.
PSST! Exclusive swag when you book a room. We can't say more.
Attendees who book within the official hotel block this year will receive a special mystery swag item. We can't tell you what it is. That's why it's called mystery swag. But we can tell you the only way to get it is to book in the official PyCon US hotel block.
Where to stay: official PyCon US 2026 hotel block
All hotels are in Long Beach, within easy reach of the Long Beach Convention Center.
The Westin Long Beach Spacious rooms and great amenities, and the block still has availability. Book here
Hyatt Regency Long Beach is the conference headquarters hotel. Closest to the convention center–just about connected. Book here
Marriott Long Beach Downtown A solid choice with easy access to the convention center and the waterfront. Book here
Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown A comfortable, more affordable option still within the block. Book here
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