I have to admit I don’t really understand why people schedule IT conferences on weekends, at least not in countries that have reasonable vacation policies.

I get that not everyone can go visit a conference on company time, and some (or maybe many or even most) have to use their free time to do so. I don’t think it’s a huge difference whether you’re going for a weekend or use two days of vacation, though?

OTOH, many people (including me) spend a lot of time working during the week, like to spend weekends with their families, and thus avoid conference events on weekends.

So, what am I missing? Are there more people who can make it to weekend conferences? Is it related to how “professional” the topic is? Is it an age or gender thing?

I don't know if you subtweet about that conference next month in Düsseldorf, but if so it had to do with when the venue is free to be used :)