In episode #29 of “Rockin’ the Code World with dotNetDave,” I shine a spotlight on a growing problem in our industry: for-profit tech conferences that earn millions while offering little to no compensation to the very speakers who make those events possible.

Let me be clear—this isn’t a rant; it’s a reality check for the developer community. The last time I received actual payment to speak at a conference was back in 2015—$500 per session. At first glance, that might seem reasonable, but once you factor in the hours spent preparing slides, rehearsing delivery, traveling, presenting, and engaging with attendees, the effective rate drops to just a few dollars per hour.

Now consider the income lost from consulting or client work during that time—suddenly, that $500 isn’t just inadequate, it’s borderline insulting. And while that particular conference did cover airfare and two nights of hotel accommodations, that level of support has become increasingly rare. Today, most for-profit conferences offer even less while charging attendees more than ever.

Many of these high-priced conferences will give you a free ticket to attend—which you wouldn’t need if you weren’t speaking—and maybe two nights in a hotel. But most conferences last three to five days. That means speakers are often stuck paying part of the travel bill themselves—and getting no real pay for the hours spent speaking.

When a conference pays a speaker for each session they present, it is typically referred to as an honorarium. This is a payment made to recognize the speaker’s time, expertise, and contribution to the event. Honorariums are common in academic, professional, and technical conferences where the speaker is invited to present or share knowledge.

Think About It

Imagine being asked to take on a last-minute gig to help a company fix critical code before a big release—on a subject you’re an expert in. They offer you a daily stipend (or none at all) and expect you to cover your own travel expenses, pay for two nights in a hotel (or potentially nothing at all), with the rest of the costs falling entirely on you. Most of us would turn this down without a second thought. Yet, this is precisely the scenario many U.S.-based conferences put in front of their speakers.

Conferences Offering Little to No Speaker Compensation

• DeveloperWeek (https://www.developerweek.com/)
  No honorarium or travel coverage. Doesn’t pay for a hotel stay. Tickets: $770–$1,100.
• DEVintersection (https://www.devintersection.com/)
  No honorarium. Offers $500 for travel, not enough for airfare from some locations. Full ticket package: $1,899–$3,499.
• VSLive / Live360 (https://vslive.com/)
  Speakers are responsible for their own travel costs and incidentals. Provides a small stipend (not listed on site) for each session that might cover airfare. Typically covers two hotel nights. Tickets range from $2,125 to $3,225.

International Conferences: A Better Standard

Now let’s compare this to international conferences—and you’ll see why I increasingly prioritize them.

• They fully cover airfare—often $1,200 or more.
• They pay for your entire hotel stay, not just during the event but also a few nights before to help recover from jet lag.
• They make the experience memorable—and personal.

Let me share one of the most incredible examples from my speaking career:

When I spoke in Ukraine for the first time, I mentioned to the organizers that I’d love to explore the area if time allowed. What happened next was unforgettable. For two full days, they hired a private tour guide and a driver, just for me. Day one, we drove nearly 1.5 hours outside of Lviv to visit three medieval castles, some dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. As an American who grew up around buildings barely 100 years old, I was completely blown away. The next day, we explored the city, learning about its rich history and culture. I was the only speaker who took them up on the offer. Their generosity and pride in their country left a lasting impression I’ll never forget.

And it’s not just Ukraine. At a European conference I’m attending this year, they’ve scheduled two speaker dinners, complete with bus pickups to scenic local restaurants. I’ve even heard rumors that one might include skinny dipping in a lava-heated stream!

Beyond the adventures, international conferences go the extra mile in ways that truly matter. I have a serious food allergy. U.S. events often treat that as an inconvenience—some have even criticized me behind my back for asking about food safety. At international conferences, organizers have made every effort to ensure I have safe meals. Once, when my luggage was lost en route to Ukraine, a volunteer from the conference went out and bought me all the toiletries and essentials I needed before I took the stage.

No, most international events don’t offer a per-session speaking fee—but with this level of care and professionalism, I don’t mind.

What This Means for You

If you’re a developer considering submitting a talk, ask yourself what your time is worth. Look at the total cost—not just financially, but personally. These events rely on your reputation, your content, and your passion. If a conference isn’t willing to invest in you, maybe it doesn’t deserve your time.

Likewise, if you’re attending these conferences, consider where your money is going. Is it supporting the speakers? Or just padding the bottom line?

Let’s Raise the Standard

I strongly encourage you to reach out to event organizers and demand that they give speakers the support they truly deserve before you purchase a ticket. Ask them to cover all travel expenses, hotel accommodations for the entire duration of the conference, and provide a fair honorarium that reflects the speaker’s time, expertise, and the value they bring to the event. After all, for-profit conferences charging thousands of dollars per ticket can certainly afford to invest in their speakers.

It’s time for them to do better.

This isn’t about bitterness—it’s about fairness. I’m passionate about helping developers grow and thrive, but I also firmly believe that speakers deserve more than just exposure. They deserve respect. It’s unacceptable that they should have to cover their own expenses just to speak at a conference. The value they bring goes beyond the stage, and it’s time for event organizers to recognize that.

Let’s set a higher standard. Let’s prioritize supporting conferences that truly value our time, effort, and expertise.

Before more of us walk away.

• Email DeveloperWeek by using this form: https://www.developerweek.com/about/contact/
• Email DevIntersection at: info@DEVintersection.com
• Email VSLive at: dpotts@converge360.com
• Email TechBash at: https://techbash.com/contact

Share Your Thoughts

I’ve received some pushback from a few conferences—one even demanded that I take this article down. That reaction alone tells me this topic hits a nerve.

But what do you think?

Do you agree, disagree, or have your own experience to share? I’d love to hear your perspective. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going!

Did You Know Speakers At Software Conferences Don’t Get Paid?!

Pick up any books by David McCarter by going to Amazon.com: http://bit.ly/RockYourCodeBooks

If you liked this article, please buy David a cup of Coffee by going here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dotnetdave

© The information in this article is copywritten and cannot be preproduced in any way without express permission from David McCarter.