Tacon is a specialized test automation conference founded by Andre Kohler, now expanding to include test management and Agile practices, with the 2025 Leipzig edition offering intimate networking, real-world case studies, and a retro gaming area for informal engagement. It emphasizes practical insights and community-driven learning, blending technical depth with a familial atmosphere to advance automation goals across industries.

Richard Seidl Software Testing

This is the other podcast on Software Testing by Richard Seidl, the episodes are in spoken German but the show notes and site are written in English. Our summaries are generated from AI transcript translations.

• https://www.richard-seidl.com/en/blog/tag/podcast-software-testing
• https://www.richard-seidl.com/en/

Episode Details

• Show Notes: https://www.richard-seidl.com/de/blog/tacon-konferenz
• Published: 2026-03-31T04:00:00Z
• Duration: 00:18:10
• Author: Richard Seidl - Experte fur Software-Entwicklung und Testautomatisierung

Overview

The podcast discusses Tacon, a specialized conference centered on test automation, originally founded by Andre Kohler to address challenges faced by test managers and IT departments. Initially a niche event for test automation professionals, it has grown to include related topics like test management and Agile practices while maintaining its core focus on automation. The 2025 edition, held in Leipzig, is described as a small, intense gathering with a strong sense of community, attracting around 130 attendees from industries such as insurance, banking, automotive manufacturing, and public institutions. Key features include real-world case studies, honest sharing of successes and failures, and networking opportunities with industry leaders and experienced practitioners.

Tacon emphasizes practical insights and authentic experiences from companies, aiming to help attendees avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their automation goals. The events location in Leipzig is highlighted for its accessibility, compact size, and conducive environment for idea exchange. Unique elements like a gaming area with retro games (e.g., Tetris, Pac-Man) foster informal networking and engagement. The next Tacon event is scheduled for September 1617, 2026, with a continued focus on fostering collaboration and growth within the test automation community. The events philosophy combines technical depth with a familial atmosphere, encouraging both professional development and peer-to-peer learning.

What If

• What if you attended Tacon 2026 and prioritized networking with at least 5 industry leaders in test automation during the event?

  • Concrete move: Schedule 1:1 meetups with key speakers and attendees during breaks, using the events small-group dynamic to foster in-depth conversations.
  • Why now: Tacon 2026 is the next edition (September 2026), and the events focus on real-world experiences makes it a rare opportunity to connect with experts in a non-anonymous setting.
  • Expected upside: Gaining actionable insights into automation challenges and establishing partnerships that could accelerate your projects or open new business opportunities.

• What if you leveraged the Gaming Area at Tacon to initiate informal collaborations with peers from competing companies?

  • Concrete move: Engage in retro games like Tetris or Pac-Man during the events social hours and use the relaxed atmosphere to discuss shared challenges in test automation.
  • Why now: The Gaming Area is a recurring feature, and its informal nature breaks down professional barriers, creating a unique space for candid problem-solving.
  • Expected upside: Building a network of like-minded professionals who might contribute to open-source tools, shared knowledge, or joint ventures in the future.

• What if you prepared a case study of a recent test automation failure to present at Tacon 2026, focusing on lessons learned?

  • Concrete move: Document your projects pitfalls and submit a proposal to the conferences presentation selection process, emphasizing honest, practical takeaways.
  • Why now: Tacon prioritizes real-world experiences, and sharing failures aligns with the events philosophy of avoiding common pitfalls through peer learning.
  • Expected upside: Gaining recognition as a thought leader in the community and receiving feedback that could refine your approach to future automation challenges.

Takeaway

• Attend Taghorn for Targeted Networking: Prioritize attending the Taghorn conference in Leipzig to connect with industry leaders and peers in test automation. The small size (130 participants) ensures meaningful, personalized interactions without anonymity, fostering a “large family” community feel.
• Apply Real-World Test Automation Insights: Leverage the practical case studies and lessons from user companies presented at the event to identify and implement solutions for common pitfalls in your own automation workflows.
• Participate in Interactive Features for Engagement: Engage in the Gaming Area with retro games like Tetris or Pac-Man to build informal connections, or join workshops and sessions that emphasize hands-on problem-solving and collaborative learning.
• Focus on Test Automation Trends and Best Practices: Use the conference to stay updated on the latest advancements in test automation, including emerging topics like AI integration, and adapt strategies to improve your teams (or your own) automation processes.
• Contribute to the Community by Sharing Experiences: Prepare a presentation or case study detailing your own successes/challenges in test automation to share at future events, fostering peer-to-peer learning and strengthening your professional network.