This year, we're approving talks using a new process.

We're approving talks soon after they are submitted, rather than waiting until we have a large array of talks. We give priority to talks that fit with the Beginner Track or Perl in the Wild Track. We'll be approving a handful of talks every week. This doesn't mean that if your talk isn't approved right away, it won't be. However, the sooner you get your talk proposals in, the better chance you have of getting a talk approved and placed on the schedule.

Our deadline for proposals is March 15, 2012. So get those proposals in now. This year, there's no time for procrastination, because the slots will be getting filled up in real-time.

Geoff Avery will be reprising his role as Lightning Talk MC for YAPC::NA 2012. Geoff does a great job organizing the Lightning Talk sessions at YAPC, and we’re so glad to have him come to Madison.

If you’ve got ideas for lightning talks, please feel free to submit them in advance.

I’ve apparently been too effective in asking for the talks we want for our primary two tracks, or not effective enough at explaining that we have 5 total tracks and that you can submit any kind of talk you want for YAPC::NA 2012. I say this because Sawyer X posted a comment indicating he didn’t think his talks would be welcome. I apologize that I gave that impression to anyone.

For the record, here are the tracks at YAPC::NA 2012:

1. Perl in the Wild - Real world Perl applications.
2. Perl 101 - The stuff everybody needs to know to be a good Perl programmer.
3. Anything Goes #1 - Talk about your favorite module, framework, or what halve you.
4. Anything Goes #2 - Same as Anything Goes #1.
5. Mini Workshops - 1 or 2 hour long hands-on tutorials. 

We’re still looking for sessions to fill all of those areas, although we could definitely use some 1-hour long mini workshops.