Submitting to CodeMash 2026 (and getting in!)
- kundlasarah
- Oct 29
- 2 min read
When You Shoot Your Shot (And It Works)
Excited to share that I'll be speaking at CodeMash 2026!
Let me back up. CodeMash is a four-day conference in Sandusky, Ohio that brings together developers, designers, and tech professionals every January. I've attended as a participant before, sitting in sessions and thinking: "I think I could do this, too."
This year, I decided to actually try.
The Power of Asking a Stranger for Help
Here's the part I'm most excited to share: I got help from someone I'd never met during this process.
I was looking through all the speaker information on CodeMash's site when I stumbled upon a linked YouTube video designed to give first-time speakers an edge before submitting their conference abstracts to CodeMash.
The speaker in the video mentioned that he had presented at over 100 conferences to date. He also said something at the end that stood out to me: "If anyone wants feedback on their CodeMash proposals, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to help."
I paused the video. Sat there for a second. And thought: "Should I actually email this person?"
I did.
I sent him my 10 conference abstracts and asked if he'd be willing to give me feedback. And he did just that. Detailed, thoughtful feedback that helped me refine my ideas and strengthen my submissions. He didn't have to do that. He didn't know me or anything about my previous experience. But he took the time to help someone trying to break into conference speaking.
Why CodeMash Matters to Me
Getting accepted to speak at CodeMash feels like coming full-circle, in a way.
I've attended CodeMash as a participant. I've sat in those sessions, learned from other speakers, and imagined what it would be like to be the one on stage sharing frameworks and insights. Now I actually get to do it this winter.
My session is called "Emotional Intelligence at Work: Choosing the Right Model for Leadership Success." It's a topic I'm genuinely excited about because it bridges psychology, leadership development, and practical workplace application. It's exactly the kind of session I would have wanted to attend as a participant.
What I Learned from This
Put yourself out there. I submitted 10 proposals. Not all of them got accepted, but one did. And that's all it takes.
Ask for help. That stranger on YouTube who offered to review proposals? He meant it. There are people out there willing to offer help, if you're willing to ask for it.
Attend the events you want to speak at. I knew what CodeMash audiences value because I'd been in those seats. I understood the atmosphere, the format, the kinds of talks that resonate with attendees.
If there's a conference you've been attending and thinking "I could speak there," submit a talk for it! If there's someone whose work you admire, reach out to them for guidance. The worst that happens is you don't hear back. The best that could happen: you get to stand on stage in front of an audience and share a message you genuinely care about.
I'll be there January 13-16, 2026. If you're attending, come say hi.
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