GitHub Universe 2022: In-person and virtual tracks explained

GitHub Universe returns on November 9 and 10 with two attendance options: an in-person event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in San Francisco and a free virtual experience. The dual-format event spans four content tracks—Cloud, Security, AI, and Community—covering topics from cloud-based development environments to securing the software development lifecycle.

What to expect from the event

GitHub describes Universe as a non-traditional tech conference, mixing product content with community engagement across developers, open source maintainers, enterprise decision makers, students, and startups. The agenda includes sessions ranging from CEO presentations to talks from NGOs using open source technologies, alongside product announcements and networking opportunities.

The in-person component at YBCA offers live keynote sessions on the main stage, direct access to GitHub staff and leadership, product demos at demonstration kiosks, and a dedicated "Ask GitHub" booth for technical questions. Attendees can also purchase gear and limited-edition items at the on-site shop.

Early bird in-person tickets are available until October 15. Attendees can choose between Day passes, General Admission passes, and VIP passes, all currently discounted 20% without a coupon code.

The virtual experience

The virtual track is a full parallel experience rather than a scaled-down alternative. Online attendees can access all four content tracks live during the conference days, with content available on-demand afterwards. Sessions include a mix of long- and short-form talks, and viewers can participate in GitHub Discussions during every session to interact with other attendees, speakers, and GitHub representatives.

Registration for the virtual experience is free but required.

Content tracks at a glance

  • Cloud: Sessions on cloud-based development workstations and how GitHub supports collaboration and faster, more secure releases.
  • Security: Best practices from teams shipping secure software at scale, including managing risk and remediating vulnerabilities without slowing innovation.
  • AI: How GitHub, organizations, and the community apply machine learning to real-world problems, plus ways to improve developer workflows with GitHub.
  • Community: Stories from software development teams around the world, with lessons on contributing to open source regardless of experience level or company size.

What in-person passes include

All in-person passes provide entry to content sessions across the Main Stage, Garden Stage, and Screening Room; access to the Demo Stage, Demo Kiosks, and #AskGitHub; and full access to virtual and on-demand content. One hands-on workshop is also included, though separate registration opens on October 11.