Building PyCon Togo 2026: What We’re Learning from PyCon Colombia
As we are preparing for PyCon Togo 2026, the second edition of the national Python conference organized by Python Togo (PyTogo), we are intentionally learning from communities that have successfully built strong and sustainable events.
Recently, we had a working session with John Roa, lead organizer of PyCon Colombia, one of the most active Python communities in Latin America.
What started as a simple exchange quickly became a strategic moment for our team.
From Event to Ecosystem
One key insight stood out immediately:
A PyCon is not a one-time event. It is the result of a continuous community effort.
The success of PyCon Colombia is rooted in consistent activities throughout the year:
Meetups
Workshops
Learning sessions
Community collaboration
The conference is only the visible peak.
As we are preparing PyCon Togo 2026, this reinforces our direction:
building a strong, active community first not just an event.
Sponsorship Is a Strategic Partnership
Another critical shift was in how sponsorship is perceived.
Sponsors are not “supporters.”
They are partners making strategic investments.
They invest in: Access to tech talent (students, junior, mid-level, senior developers), Visibility in a growing ecosystem, Recruitment opportunities, Alignment with a mission-driven community, etc ...
For PyCon Togo 2026, this directly impacts how we position ourselves:
Our sponsorship deck is a business document, not a request letter
We clearly present our audience and ecosystem
We highlight tangible benefits (visibility, hiring access, presence)
We structure sponsorship tiers with clear value
In short: we are not asking for money, we are offering opportunity.
Start Local, Then Expand
Beyond strategy, we were also guided on where to look first.
A strong recommendation was to prioritize local companies and ecosystems before expanding globally.
This includes: local tech companies and startups, telecom operators, Banks and fintechs, universities and training institutions
Building strong local partnerships:
Increases sponsorship success rates
Builds long-term trust
Strengthens the local tech ecosystem
As we are preparing PyCon Togo 2026, this approach is already shaping how we identify and engage potential partners.
Building with Financial Discipline
Another lesson: sustainability requires structure.
From PyCon Colombia’s experience:
~50% of funding comes from sponsors
~50% from ticket sales
Budgets are carefully allocated across:
Logistics and catering, Speaker support (travel, accommodation), Media and streaming, Community experiences.
They also plan for contingencies.
As we are preparing PyCon Togo 2026, we are applying the same level of discipline to ensure long-term sustainability.
Rejection Is Part of the Process
Outreach to sponsors comes with uncertainty.
Not every company will say yes.
What matters:
Staying professional
Following up
Learning from feedback
Iterating on the approach
So, each interaction improves the next one.
Start Early, Move Intentionally
A practical recommendation we are actively applying:
Start sponsor outreach 5–6 months before the event.
This creates time to:
Build relationships
Refine proposals
Secure commitments
Why This Matters
This exchange confirmed something important:
PyCon Togo is not being built in isolation.
It is part of a broader global ecosystem where communities share knowledge, support each other, and grow together.
Acknowledgment
We sincerely thank PyCon Colombia and John Roa for their openness and willingness to share practical, experience-driven insights.
Their support is helping shape PyCon Togo 2026.
Join Us
PyCon Togo 2026 will take place in August 2026.
As we are preparing this second edition, we invite: Companies, Developers, Students, Community builders, everyone who want to learn or/and want to share.
to be part of the journey.
