Liferay User Group Meetup & Hackathon Ahmedabad (2026)
After 8 years, the Liferay User Group (LIUG) is back in Ahmedabad, and the response proved just how much it was needed.
With 108 registrations and 100+ attendees showing up even on a Saturday, the energy and enthusiasm spoke volumes. One thing we consistently heard from participants throughout the day was:
“This was much needed.”
And that’s exactly why this initiative was brought to life by IGNEK, with incredible support from Liferay.
The Journey Behind the Event
Every meaningful initiative begins with a conversation.
During Devcon 2025 in Madrid, Spain, Bhavin Panchani connected with Ben Turner and shared the vision of reviving the Liferay User Group in Ahmedabad, along with organizing a hands-on hackathon to bring the community together.
The idea resonated instantly. Ben not only supported the vision but also committed to attending the event in person if it came to life.
That moment became the starting point.
After years of working within the Liferay ecosystem, IGNEK took the initiative to revive the community and transform this idea into reality, bringing developers, professionals, and enthusiasts together on a single platform.
For more details about the official event, you can also explore the announcement here:https://www.liferay.com/web/lr/ahmedabad-user-group-hackathon
Event Highlights
Event Preparation
From day one, the goal was clear to create an experience, not just an event. The team worked extensively on:
- Event branding and setup (banners, presentations)
- Curating thoughtful welcome kits
- Planning session flow and engagement
- Managing logistics and food
Each attendee received a welcome kit with a tumbler, diary, stickers, and a bag, adding a personal touch that reflected the effort behind the event.
The Meetup: Learning, Sharing & Connecting
The day began early, with the team setting everything up before welcoming attendees.
The event officially kicked off with an opening session by Bhavin Panchani, who set the tone for the day by sharing the vision behind reviving the Liferay User Group in Ahmedabad and the purpose of bringing the community together after so many years. His session gave attendees a clear context of the journey, the intent, and what they could expect from the day.
Following this, the sessions continued with insightful talks from:
Each session was practical, insightful, and highly interactive encouraging discussions and real-world learning.
A special note of gratitude to Ben Turner for traveling and being present in person it truly meant a lot and played a key role in making the event impactful.
Hackathon: Where Ideas Turned into Action
Post sessions and networking over lunch, the energy shifted into execution mode with the Liferay Marketplace Fragment Hackathon, supported by the Liferay Marketplace Team.
Participants from different companies and backgrounds joined individually and in teams to build innovative solutions.
The hackathon stood out for its:
- Strong participation
- Creative problem-solving
- Collaborative environment
- Real-time development energy
It was inspiring to see ideas quickly evolve into working prototypes.
Community Effort
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the continued support and encouragement from:
Their backing played an important role in making this initiative successful. And of course, a huge thank you to every attendee. Your energy, engagement, and willingness to stay, participate, and contribute made the event truly special.
A Strong Comeback for the Community
After nearly a decade, the Liferay community in Ahmedabad has been revived, and it’s stronger than ever. What started as an idea at Devcon has now become a platform where:
- People reconnect
- Knowledge is shared
- Innovation is encouraged
- Community bonds are rebuilt
This is just the beginning.
What’s Next?
The momentum has already begun, and this is just the starting point.
With the overwhelming response to the meetup and hackathon, it’s clear that the Liferay community in Ahmedabad has been waiting for a platform like this one that brings people together to learn, collaborate, and grow.
Ahmedabad’s Liferay community is back, and it’s here to stay.
Going forward, the focus is on building consistency and creating more opportunities for the community, including:
- Regular Liferay User Group meetups
- Hands-on workshops and technical deep dives
- Innovation-driven initiatives
- Stronger collaboration between developers, businesses, and Liferay experts
The goal is simple to create a space where knowledge is shared openly, ideas are explored freely, and meaningful connections are built over time.
We’re already looking forward to the next meetup in October 2026. Until then, let’s keep the conversations going, the ideas flowing, and the community growing.
