Recap - Shopware Community UnConference 2025

We from maxcluster were not only there as a sponsor, but also as an active part of the community and share our impressions, highlights and learnings in this review.

Forks, friends, fascination - the Shopware Community UnConference 2025 at a glance

Some events are something you look forward to for weeks - and of course they're already written in bold in your calendar. The Shopware Community UnConference is just such an event: a fixed point in the year that we at maxcluster have been looking forward to for the fourth time.

In our reviews of SCUC 2024, SCUC 2023 and SCUC 2022, you can read what we love about this format every year.

From April 26 to 27, 2025, the SCUC opened its doors again at Tor28 in Cologne. Under the lovingly unusual motto “Bring your own Fork!”, developers, creatives and shopware fans from all over Germany (and beyond) came together. Instead of the classic conference format: spontaneous topics, lively discussions and genuine exchange at eye level. Learning, discussing, laughing - together in a way that could hardly be better.

It was clear to us at maxcluster from the start: we would be there again! And not just as a sponsor, but as part of this special community. We traveled to Cologne with a team of eight colleagues to spend two exciting days full of expert input and encounters with the community.

What makes the SCUC special? The focus is not just on code, but on togetherness. The SCUC has a culture in which every idea is heard. No matter whether it comes from an experienced dev or a 9-year-old Pokémon expert (but more on that later 😉).

Friday - Pre-Party: Arriving, interacting, getting in the mood

As always, the SCUC kicked off with a relaxed pre-party at the Alte Feuerwache in Cologne. Over Kölsch and delicious food, we met up with old acquaintances and many new faces.

Our maxcluster team was particularly well represented this time: Eight colleagues from different departments and areas such as technology, partner management and marketing - had arrived full of anticipation and curiosity. It was the perfect opportunity for us to start the weekend together and get in the mood for the special moments of the coming days.

The warmth and openness of the SCUC community was evident from the very first exchange. The conversations were light and deep at the same time - sometimes professional, sometimes very personal. It is precisely this mix that ensures year after year that everyone feels welcome here and that real encounters are created.

Saturday - sessions, forks and a little star

Saturday started full of energy - with freshly brewed coffee in hand and great anticipation, everyone gathered at Tor 28. The location - charming, open, inviting - offered the perfect setting for two days of exciting impulses, intensive discussions and genuine togetherness. After a warm welcome from the organizing team, the SCUC officially got underway.

Forks, stories and great emotions

This year, everything revolved around the motto “Bring your own fork!”.
Why forks? During the opening speech, Carmen Bremen told the wonderful story of how she started collecting forks years ago - a passion that continues to this day.

We also added to Carmen's collection with a specially engraved maxcluster fork Right at the reception, it became clear that the motto “Bring your own fork!” was implemented with great attention to detail - from fork posters and toothpick decorations to the symbolic exchange of forks for name tags. The variety of forks brought along - made of plastic, silver, children's own cutlery or even from the 3D printer - was not only creative, but also personal and loving.

This was immediately followed by the traditional session pitch: all participants were able to spontaneously suggest topics - voting was completely democratic with colorful sticky dots. The result: a diverse range of topics - from technical depth to personal perspectives.

Paul (9 years old) - Pokémon shield: young, courageous, professional

One of the most unusual and at the same time most charming moments of SCUC25 was the appearance of Paul, the youngest speaker at the UnConference. Just nine years old, he presented his talk “Pokémon Shield” to an adult audience - and impressed across the board.

Paul presented his passion with inspiring ease, sound knowledge and a pinch of childlike humor. His presentation impressively demonstrated that enthusiasm and knowledge are not a question of age - and brought many smiles to the faces of the audience. Many people approached Paul afterwards - his confident performance was met with respect and curiosity.

From code to community: the sessions on Saturday

Paul's talk was undoubtedly a moving start - but it was only the beginning of a day full of inspiring encounters and lively discussions. The session board quickly filled up with a wide variety of topics - from technical questions to practical and unusual perspectives.

• How can Shopware upgrades be designed not only efficiently but also sustainably?
• B2B with Shopware: Challenges from everyday project work - and how we overcome them together.
• How do you write plugins that are easy to update?
• How is a book actually created - from the idea to publication?
• And what does digital accessibility mean - in technical, legal and human terms?

The sessions not only offered valuable input, but also space for openness, new perspectives and honest exchange.

One topic was a recurring theme throughout the day: artificial intelligence.

Two spontaneous discussion rounds - “How innovative is AI?” and “How can we implement AI into eCom usefully?” - brought the community together without any slides, just with thoughts, experiences and honest interest.

It was not just about technical questions, but above all about attitude:

• Does AI foster our creativity - or does it automate us away step by step?
• How can we meaningfully integrate AI into our everyday work without losing the human spark?
• And what actually makes us irreplaceable - at work, in the community, in the world?

The discussions revealed a broad spectrum of opinions - but also a common desire for responsible use of AI:

• We don't just want to use AI, we want to help shape it.
• We believe in efficiency - but not at any price.
• We want a technological future in which humanity, curiosity and error-friendliness do not fall by the wayside.

Saturday evening - party in an unusual location near the cathedral

After an intensive day, it was time for a relaxed evening - and it was a real treat. In the Eigelstein Torburg, just a stone's throw away from the impressively illuminated Cologne Cathedral, the community came together for the SCUC after-show party.

Discussions, laughter and celebrations continued with music, Kölsch beer and good food. The topics of the day continued to resonate - in small discussion groups that formed between the bar counter and the dance floor. Others simply let the impressions sink in, enjoyed the moment or made new contacts.

It was precisely this mixture of lightness and depth, of community and individual space, that made the evening so special. No exchanging business cards, no stiff rounds - but open conversations, genuine listening and a togetherness that resonates.

Sunday - depth, technology and a lot of heart

Despite a short night and perhaps somewhat tired eyes, the energy on Sunday morning was once again clearly noticeable. With fresh coffee and the anticipation of more inspiring sessions, the community started the second day of the conference.

Everyone gathered again this morning for the session pitch - and it quickly became clear that the topics would be no less exciting, diverse and moving than the day before.

"Storefront Tests for Plugin Updates" offered a practical introduction: How can plugins be developed in such a way that they remain stable even after updates? A hands-on session that met with lively interest, especially among developers.

In “Load Testing with Grafana K6”, the focus was on what is often only noticed when it is too late - performance.

The discussion round “Challenges in running a multi-cluster Shopware setup” was particularly popular - an open exchange on how scalable and stable infrastructures can succeed in complex setups, including practical tips and honest insights from everyday life.

“What Parenting Taught Me About Development” was both personal and surprisingly instructive. The session charmingly bridged the gap between family life and software development - and proved that patience, communication and flexibility are essential in both worlds.

“What to do before you die” was one of the sessions that particularly resonated. It was an honest, respectful space for a topic that is often suppressed - but affects everyone. How do we prepare - organizationally and emotionally - for the end of life? Which decisions do we want to make consciously, which things do we want to pass on? Many left this session quiet, moved - and grateful for the impulse.

Things got particularly lively during “What Women in Tech really want from a community”. This was about representation, visibility and mutual support. What made this session special was that it was not a “women's talk”, but a real dialog - with men and women listening, asking questions, exchanging perspectives. An encouraging discussion - and showed how much the community wants to stand up for diversity and equality.

Sunday showed once again that when people meet with openness, not only are new ideas created - but also new connections. Between technology and everyday life, between exchange and aha moments.

During the last coffee in the afternoon and the final discussions before the journey home, it was clear: two days that will resonate - with food for thought, new contacts and real team moments.

Our conclusion: SCUC25 was more than just a conference

SCUC25 was more than just an event - it was a shared experience that lingers on. Full of energy, depth and community. An event where technology becomes tangible through exchange and encounters.

For us at maxcluster, it was a valuable opportunity to gain new perspectives and develop as a team.

A huge thank you to the organizing team around Carmen, Claudia, Fabian and Rico - for your heart, your vision and your commitment. You make this special event possible every year.

Thank you to everyone who was there. We are looking forward to the SCUC26!

Published on 15.05.2025 | Recap - Shopware Community UnConference 2025 | KS