The Code Labs team has just returned from an incredible week in Amsterdam for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026! It was a week packed with technical insights, community building, and exploring one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
🇳🇱 Touchdown Amsterdam
Our journey began on Monday evening. After landing and checking into our hotel, we headed straight into the city center. There’s no better way to start a trip than with a long walk through the canals, getting a feel for the unique architecture and calm waterways of Amsterdam, followed by a solid burger dinner to fuel up for the week ahead.
Cruising by the classic Amsterdam canals before the conference madness begins.
Starting the trip with some local atmosphere and a well-deserved pint.
🎟️ Day 1: Keynotes and First Impressions
Tuesday morning started early. We headed to the venue to pick up our badges and secure seats for the opening keynotes. The scale of the event was massive, and the energy in the room was palpable.
Ready for the first day of sessions!
Exploring the massive exhibition floor and the latest tech from NVIDIA.
🥨 Swag, Snacks, and 15,000 Steps
One thing you can always count on at KubeCon is the sheer amount of energy (and walking!) involved. We averaged around 15,000 steps per day navigating the huge halls.
Starting the day right with the hotel breakfast.
The event was incredibly well-organized with endless supplies of free snacks, fika, fruit, and candy. We made sure to visit the booths, participate in competitions, and—of course—collect some great new swag.
A successful swag hunt resulting in some neat ecosystem merch.
Brief pit stop between technical deep-dives to process all the new info.
🤝 Reconnecting with the Community
The best part of KubeCon is always the people. We had the chance to catch up with old colleagues from previous client projects and meet new faces from across the CNCF ecosystem.
Networking and catching up with familiar faces.
The Code Labs crew taking it all in on the exhibition floor.
Taking in the vibrant ecosystem energy at the event.
🍖 Good Food & Evening Mixers
After the sessions ended, the networking continued at various evening events hosted by CNCF member companies. These mixers were perfect for winding down with a drink and discussing the day's announcements.
Winding down after a long day of learning.
Continuing the technical discussions into the evening.
Following a few local recommendations, we also tracked down some of the best food in the city. The highlight? A plate of ribs that definitely lived up to the hype!
The "must-try" ribs we were tipped about. Highly recommended!
Enjoying the final evening in Amsterdam before heading home.
We’re heading back to the office with full notebooks and fresh inspiration. Amsterdam, you were amazing—see you at the next one!
#CodeLabs #KubeCon #CloudNative #Kubernetes #Amsterdam2026 #ConsultingLife
