Source: SiliconAngle.com. This article is based on coverage of DockerCon Live 2020 from SiliconANGLE and theCUBE.
Docker Celebrates Its Global Community at DockerCon Live 2020
With in-person events effectively halted in 2020, open-source and enterprise technology communities leaned heavily on virtual channels to stay connected. Docker Inc. was no exception. At DockerCon Live 2020, Docker used the conference as an opportunity to formally recognize community members who had gone above and beyond to support Docker users around the world.
Jenny Burcio, who leads community, advocacy, and developer relations at Docker, summed up the sentiment during a live interview with John Furrier of theCUBE and Peter McKee, developer relations manager at Docker:
“We’ve been able to recognize those in the community who deliver so much to everyone else. Nothing happens without the collective community, and DockerCon is no exception.”
— Jenny Burcio, Community, Advocacy & Developer Relations, Docker
Over 200 Meetups Worldwide — Now Gone Virtual
Docker’s community program spans more than 200 meetups around the world. By the time DockerCon Live 2020 took place, the vast majority of these had transitioned to virtual formats, supplemented by a recurring monthly online gathering. The conference itself attracted nearly 70,000 participants — a scale that would have been logistically impossible in a purely physical format.
Developers looking for a local or virtual meetup can visit Docker’s community page to browse upcoming events and find regional community leaders. These volunteers are central to keeping local Docker ecosystems active and informed.
Peter McKee highlighted the voluntary nature of this work:
“They bring a lot to the community. They put their free time in; no one is paying them. They do it out of their sheer joy to give back to the community.”
— Peter McKee, Developer Relations Manager, Docker
Global Recognition: Community Leaders Across Six Continents
DockerCon Live 2020 recognized community leaders from diverse regions, reflecting Docker’s genuinely global reach. Honorees came from user communities in:
- Bangalore, India
- Penang, Malaysia
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Guatemala City, Guatemala
- Budapest, Hungary
- Algeria
- Chicago region, United States
These individuals organize local events, answer community questions, create educational content, and serve as the on-the-ground face of Docker in their regions — entirely on a volunteer basis.
What Is a Docker Captain?
The Docker Captain designation is a formal program run by Docker Inc. to recognize select community members who demonstrate deep expertise with Docker technologies and a consistent commitment to sharing that knowledge — through blog posts, conference talks, open-source contributions, community support, and more. Captains are not Docker employees; they are independent practitioners recognized for the quality and reach of their community work.
2020 Captains Award: Brandon Mitchell
The highlight of the community recognition segment at DockerCon Live 2020 was the Captains Award, presented to Brandon Mitchell. Notably, Mitchell was selected by his fellow Docker Captains — a peer recognition that carries particular weight within the program. He was cited for his sustained effort helping other Docker users, whether through direct support, technical guidance, or community engagement.
The Community Continues Beyond the Conference
DockerCon Live 2020 may have been a one-week event, but Docker’s community infrastructure — its meetups, Captain network, forums, and monthly online gatherings — operates year-round. As Jenny Burcio noted at the close of the session:
“It’s an honor to put on an event like this and have the community show up. While DockerCon may be over, what we did here never ends. Let’s continue the conversation.”
— Jenny Burcio, Docker
For engineers working with containers and container orchestration, getting involved in your regional Docker meetup or contributing to the Docker Captain program is a meaningful way to both deepen your own expertise and give back to the broader DevOps community.
* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for DockerCon Live. Neither Docker Inc. nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.