In This Blog

TL;DR

  • Codegarden is Umbraco's largest annual conference and is hosted by Umbraco HQ.

  • The 2021 event was held virtually, allowing attendees from around the world to participate.

  • Major topics included the upcoming release of Umbraco 9, future back-office improvements, and the growing popularity of headless CMS solutions.

  • The conference showcased innovations from both Umbraco HQ and the broader Umbraco community.

  • Despite being virtual, the event maintained the collaboration and community spirit that Codegarden is known for.

Codegarden is the largest Umbraco conference in the world and the only conference organized directly by Umbraco HQ, the company behind Umbraco CMS.

Each year, developers, designers, marketers, agency leaders, and business owners gather to discuss the latest innovations, product updates, and community contributions surrounding the Umbraco platform.

In 2021, however, the conference looked a little different.

Instead of gathering in Denmark, attendees participated entirely online as Codegarden transitioned to a virtual event.

While we missed the opportunity to connect in person, the virtual format allowed many attendees to participate without international travel. The only challenge was adjusting to Denmark's time zone.

Over three days, attendees heard product announcements, participated in technical sessions, connected with the Umbraco community, and gained insight into where the platform was headed next.

What Is Codegarden?

Codegarden serves as the flagship conference for the Umbraco community.

The event brings together:

  • Developers

  • Designers

  • Marketers

  • Digital agencies

  • Business leaders

  • Umbraco partners

Attendees learn about upcoming releases, product roadmaps, development best practices, and real-world solutions built on the Umbraco platform.

The conference also provides an opportunity for community members to share ideas, collaborate, and showcase innovative implementations.

How the Virtual Conference Worked

The conference spanned three days.

The first day featured the pre-party, partner activities, and networking opportunities.

The second day focused primarily on updates from Umbraco HQ, including product announcements and roadmap discussions.

The third day highlighted the broader Umbraco community with presentations and discussions from developers, designers, marketers, and agencies around the world.

Sessions were grouped into themed tracks and followed by "unconference" discussions where attendees could ask questions and interact directly with presenters.

Despite being fully virtual, the conference maintained much of the energy and engagement typically found at in-person events.

As an Umbraco Gold Partner, Emergent Software also participated in the Gold Partner Summit, where we received updates on upcoming initiatives and opportunities to better support our clients.

1. Umbraco 9 Was Almost Here

One of the biggest announcements from Codegarden 2021 was the upcoming release of Umbraco 9.

At the time, Umbraco 9 represented a major step forward for the platform because it was built on .NET 5, Microsoft's next-generation development framework.

The new architecture promised significant improvements in:

  • Performance

  • Scalability

  • Developer productivity

  • Resource efficiency

Early adopters were already reporting substantial performance gains compared to previous versions.

The release generated significant excitement throughout the community and reinforced Umbraco's commitment to modern Microsoft technologies.

2. Umbraco Was Planning for the Future

Another major topic was Umbraco's long-term vision for the CMS platform.

One initiative discussed extensively focused on future-proofing the Umbraco back office.

The goal was to separate user interface concerns from core CMS functionality, making it easier to deliver updates without disrupting existing implementations.

Part of this effort included reducing dependency on AngularJS and embracing modern web component architectures.

Benefits of this approach include:

  • Simpler upgrades

  • Greater flexibility for developers

  • Improved extensibility

  • Better long-term maintainability

These changes demonstrated that Umbraco was thinking beyond immediate releases and investing in the future of the platform.

3. Headless Umbraco Was Gaining Momentum

Headless CMS architectures were one of the most discussed topics throughout the conference.

A headless CMS separates content management from presentation, allowing content to be delivered to websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and other digital experiences through APIs.

Benefits of headless architectures often include:

  • Greater flexibility

  • Improved scalability

  • Support for multiple front-end technologies

  • Enhanced digital experiences

Many presentations highlighted innovative ways organizations were using headless Umbraco to support:

  • Single Page Applications (SPAs)

  • Static websites

  • Mobile applications

  • Multi-channel content delivery

At Emergent Software, we've previously implemented headless Umbraco solutions and were excited to see the growing momentum behind this approach.

4. The Umbraco Community Continues to Impress

One of the greatest strengths of Umbraco has always been its community.

Even though attendees couldn't gather in person, the virtual format still created opportunities for collaboration and engagement.

Examples included:

  • Live session chats

  • Virtual networking events

  • Interactive Q&A sessions

  • Community-driven discussions

Attendees shared ideas, discussed challenges, and exchanged solutions throughout the conference.

It was inspiring to see how developers, designers, marketers, and business leaders continue pushing the platform forward.

The enthusiasm and collaboration within the Umbraco community remain one of the platform's greatest assets.

How Emergent Software Can Help

Emergent Software helps organizations design, build, and maintain modern websites and digital experiences using Umbraco CMS. As a long-time Umbraco partner, our team provides website development, content management solutions, application integrations, headless CMS implementations, and ongoing support services that help organizations get the most from their digital platforms. If this sounds familiar, we can help.

Final Thoughts

Codegarden 2020 demonstrated that even a virtual event can deliver valuable insights, meaningful conversations, and exciting product announcements.

From the upcoming release of Umbraco 9 to advancements in headless architecture and future back-office improvements, the conference highlighted a strong future for the platform.

Most importantly, it reinforced the strength of the global Umbraco community.

We're already looking forward to future Codegarden events and continuing to help clients leverage the full capabilities of Umbraco CMS.

If you're exploring a website redesign, CMS migration, or headless CMS strategy, contact our team to discuss your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Codegarden?

Codegarden is the largest annual conference dedicated to Umbraco CMS. Hosted by Umbraco HQ, it brings together developers, designers, marketers, agencies, and business leaders from around the world. The event focuses on product updates, technical education, community contributions, and future roadmap discussions. It is considered the premier event for the Umbraco community. Many attendees use it to learn about new features and industry best practices.

What is Umbraco CMS?

Umbraco is a content management system built on Microsoft's .NET platform. It allows organizations to create and manage websites, digital experiences, and content-driven applications. Umbraco is known for its flexibility, user-friendly editing experience, and strong developer community. It supports both traditional and headless CMS architectures. Organizations of all sizes use Umbraco to power their digital platforms.

What is a headless CMS?

A headless CMS separates content management from presentation. Content is managed in a central repository and delivered through APIs to websites, mobile applications, and other digital channels. This approach provides greater flexibility for developers and supports modern digital experiences. Headless architectures have become increasingly popular as organizations adopt multi-channel content strategies. Umbraco offers strong support for headless implementations.

Why was Umbraco 9 significant?

Umbraco 9 represented a major evolution of the platform because it was built on .NET 5. The release introduced performance improvements, modernization opportunities, and a stronger foundation for future development. It aligned Umbraco with Microsoft's latest technologies and development practices. Many organizations viewed it as an important milestone in the platform's evolution. It generated significant excitement within the community.

What is an Umbraco Gold Partner?

An Umbraco Gold Partner is an organization recognized by Umbraco for its experience, expertise, and commitment to the platform. Gold Partners often have extensive implementation experience and access to additional resources and training. They work closely with clients to deliver successful Umbraco projects. Partnership status reflects a strong level of engagement within the Umbraco ecosystem. Emergent Software is proud to be an Umbraco Gold Partner.

Is Umbraco a good choice for website development?

For many organizations, yes. Umbraco offers flexibility, strong content management capabilities, and support for both traditional and headless website architectures. It is particularly popular among organizations that want a customizable CMS built on Microsoft technologies. The platform also benefits from an active community and ongoing development. The right CMS ultimately depends on business requirements and project goals.

Author

Kevin Meilander