We are proud to announce the 23rd Annual Southern California Linux Expo – SCaLE 23X – to be held March 5-8, 2026 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, near Los Angeles.

We invite you to share your work on FOSS programs and open hardware projects with the rest of the community, as well as exchange ideas with some leading experts in these fields. Details about previous presentations and activities at SCaLE can be found at: http://www.socallinuxexpo.org/scale/22x

Quick Links

 

Important Dates

  • 1 Oct, 2025: CFP Opens
  • 1 Nov, 2025: Early submission deadline
  • 1 Dec, 2025: Final submission deadline
  • 5 Mar, 2026: Conference starts

SCaLE Tracks

Applied Science

Open source is powering a revolution in scientific fields. This track explores the practical application of open source software and hardware in research, data analysis, and engineering. Presentations should detail successful deployments, novel tools, and innovative workflows; whether analyzing terabytes of data, building custom instrumentation, or pushing the boundaries of discovery.

Developer

A broad range of topics related to development of and with open-source applications, tools and components. Also relevant are experiences using open source tooling for development as well as processes and practices to improve developer productivity, quality and happiness.

Embedded Linux

Topics related to Open Source Embedded Linux hardware & software. Possible topic areas include but are not limited to: IoT, drones, connectivity, sensors, automotive, networking equipment, build environments, and FPGAs that use the Linux Kernel and User Space.

FOSS@Home

How do you use free and open source technologies at home? Whether you are a hobbyist, educator or technology professional, we’d like to learn about any personal project that involves open source hardware or software. Examples of things we are interested in include home automation, bespoke parental controls, radio controlled vehicles or drones, 3D printers, and whatever else sets your nerdy heart aglow.

General

A wide range of topics related to Free/Open Source Software (FOSS), open hardware and the people in these communities.

Kernel & Low Level Systems

Developments in the Linux kernel and related areas. Talks should cover kernel space in some way and can include, but are not limited to: developer experience, new features, improvements, building blocks for userspace, etc.

Observability

Observability is now a well-established core capability in many organizations. We are primarily interested in presentations from practitioners on how observability implementations, concepts and frameworks have improved your organization and culture. You may also choose to discuss cautionary tales of lessons learned and anti-patterns discovered. We will also consider tooling presentations that focus on open source approaches and tools.

Open Government

In an era of increasing demand for transparency and efficiency in public administration, open-source technologies are playing a crucial role in transforming government operations and civic engagement. This track will explore the intersection of open-source projects, government functions, and civic problem-solving. Talks in this track can be presented by government employees, civic tech enthusiasts, data scientists, or private citizens who have leveraged publicly available datasets for impactful analyses or applications.

Open Source AI

The landscape of artificial intelligence and data science has been dramatically transformed in recent years, starting with open source models like BERT, GPT-2, Mistral and its variants, DeepSeek R-1, and their successors leading a new wave of innovation. Much of the recent breakthroughs in AI have been accomplished through careful application of the scientific method and through enabling the use of agents to accomplish tasks that would otherwise require full human attention. This track aims to bring together practitioners who are at the forefront of building AI technologies, including those working with cutting-edge LLMs, as well as those leveraging open-source tools to tackle complex problems.

Security

Covering all topics in the realm of open source security. These include security research, innovative security designs, cool tools, topical issues, "How to's", cost effective open source security solutions and everything in between.

Systems and Infrastructure

This track focuses on management and configuration techniques for systems and infrastructure at scale. New tools and approaches are once again questioning the established wisdom in this space. Meanwhile new workloads and requirements make performance and reliability at scale more challenging than ever. What have you learned that is working now? What lessons of the past no longer hold? Presentations in this track may share stories and experiences, discuss useful tools and techniques or highlight trends emerging in open source systems, networking technologies or tools for managing them at scale.

Workshops

We expect to host several 2-4 hour hands-on sessions that provide attendees with practical experience implementing and using open technologies. If you have an idea for a workshop you’d like to host, submit it as a proposal in the most relevant track and clearly mark it as a workshop in your description. Be sure to include the length of the session and information about prerequisites attendees should complete to be prepared for your session.

Co-Located Events

SCaLE23x will also include several Co-Located Events for which you can also submit proposals. These events have a separate selection process.

Cloud Native Days

Cloud Native Days includes workshops, sessions, and deep dives around Cloud Native technologies – anything and everything related to Kubernetes and containers. Whether you are an app developer, DevOps practitioner, container hacker, or infrastructure owner, this track is for you! Topic ideas include: container technology, Kubernetes, CNCF projects, service mesh, cloud security, CI/CD, atomic OSes, cloud administration, and deploying AI on top of Kubernetes. We will have cloud native talks all four days of the conference.

DevOpsDay LA

DevOpsDay LA is Southern California's premier conference focused on the human side of technology delivery. For 15 years, we've brought together SoCal practitioners who understand that great software isn't just about tools, it's about people working together effectively.

The 2026 Lens: DevOps in an AI World - You're working in a world where AI is everywhere, embedded in your tools, requested by your management, and reshaping how teams deliver software. Whether you're embracing these changes or navigating the challenges they create, your experience matters.

We're looking for stories about how you and your organizations are adapting your mindsets, processes, and team dynamics in this rapidly evolving landscape. We're interested in implementation challenges you're facing in Southern California's entertainment, gaming, aerospace, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing companies.

MySQL@SCaLE

Sessions focused on scaling, tuning, operating, and developing MySQL and its ecosystem of forks and derivatives.

PostgreSQL@SCaLE

PostgreSQL@SCaLE will feature PostgreSQL-related topics by and for people of all levels of experience including how-tos, case studies, overviews of new features, and discussions of the mysteries of PostgreSQL internals. If you're using PostgreSQL, we want to hear about your experience! We welcome talks from new Postgres users as well as seasoned experts.

Open Source Career Day

Open source careers don't follow traditional paths. For five years, we've been the place where our community shares real talk from real practitioners who've navigated the challenges our community faces. We want the hard-won insights that only come from building, shipping, and leading in the open source world.

What We Need:

  • How to turn GitHub activity into interview wins, beyond just "contribute to projects"
  • Salary negotiation tactics that work for open source roles
  • Breaking the "you need experience to get experience" cycle in tech
  • Using AI tools ethically in job searches without misrepresenting yourself
  • Moving from IC to leadership without losing your technical edge
  • Building influence in open source communities that translates to career opportunities
  • Spotting genuine open source talent beyond resume keywords and GitHub green squares
  • Evaluating technical skills in an AI-assisted development world
     

What Makes a Winning Proposal:
Tell specific stories. Not "here's how to write a resume" but "here's the three lines I added to my resume that got me callbacks at Stripe, Red Hat, and GitHub." Give people tools they can use Monday morning. Share the actual email template you used to follow up after interviews or the GitHub profile changes that doubled your recruiter messages. Be honest about failures. Share what didn't work, then explain what you changed.

We especially welcome new speakers, under-represented voices, and fresh perspectives from across the open source community.

Open Source in Higher Education

New for 2026! The Open Source in Higher Education event, in partnership with the Apereo Foundation, provides sessions dedicated to using, developing, and managing open resources within academic environments, from multi-institutional consortia to departmental projects. Whether you're a developer, system admin, faculty member, or researcher, share how open source software or other open educational resources are shaping your work—in the classroom, on campus, or in the lab. Join peers exploring open tools, practices and communities driving the future of higher education.

SunSecCon

SunSecCon is back for the 2nd year bridging the gaps between security specialties and fostering collaboration across domains. We’re seeking practitioners and experts in application security, infrastructure security, cloud security, and corporate security. For more information visit https://www.sunseccon.org/

Note: Submissions for SunSecCon are not being accepted yet. Check back for more information soon.

The Next Generation (SCaLE's Youth Track)

SCaLE The Next Generation gives the Free and Open Source community youth leaders of tomorrow and users of today the opportunity to spotlight their talents and ideas. This track is open to K-12 speakers who want to educate and encourage their peers on open source projects they can get involved in today. With hands-on activities and talks, there is something for every attendee.

Are you a K-12 student interested in sharing an idea, concept, or project related to open source, Linux, or other tech? Presenting at SCALE 23x is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership experience, network with other students, and meet industry professionals. Submit a proposal today!

How to Submit a Proposal

We have a new website! The CFP process looks a bit different. You need an account for the SCaLE CFP tool to submit a proposal. If you have previously held an account on the SCALE website you will need to reset your password for 2026. You don’t need to sign up for a new one if you already have one.

  • Visit https://www.socallinuxexpo.org/user/ to log in or create an account if necessary. Note: Your CFP account is no longer the same as your speaker profile. You can add speaker profiles for people other than yourself.
  • Once you are logged in, https://www.socallinuxexpo.org/user/ should redirect you to your Profile page which includes My Sessions and My Speakers. Click Propose a Session to start a new proposal.
  • Enter the title for the talk.
  • Create the Short Abstract and Long Abstract which are descriptions of the main points to be presented. The short abstract will be used in print where there is limited space. The long abstract can include additional information which will appear online.
  • Click Managed Speakers to add the speaker(s) for the talk. We recommend no more than 2 speakers for a talk. For workshops we recommend at least 2 speakers (1 main speaker and 1-2 helpers).
  • If you add a new speaker you will need to provide their name, email address, photo, biography and other information. Please ensure that the personal biography is not more than 1000 characters; focus on relevant experience to your proposal topic and write from the third-person perspective.
  • After selecting speakers you can select the Track and Level for the talk and save your submission. It will now appear under My Sessions on your profile. You can make further changes if needed.
  • You may submit multiple proposals using that same Propose a Session button on your profile page.
  • Please notify us if the presentation will require a special technical set-up such as additional microphones. The standard setup provided will include:
    1. One hands-free microphone for the speaker
    2. One hand-held microphone for audience questions
    3. A digital projector with HDMI cable

Notes for Speakers

  • Presentations will be allotted a time slot of about 45 minutes (except workshops, lightning talks, and upSCaLE talks).
  • Please ensure that presentations are done in an open, non-proprietary format.
  • All SCaLE speakers are in-person. We do not have the capability to support virtual presentations.

Need Help?

Proposals are reviewed by an expert committee and evaluated solely on merit. To provide the committee enough time to choose the best proposals, submission dates must be strictly honored. In case you run into any problems during the submission process, please email cfp@socallinuxexpo.org for help.