We’re very pleased to announce that the JRubyConf call for papers is officially open. While we’re certainly looking for great stories about how you’re winning using JRuby, we also won’t mind a couple of proposals that fall outside the JRuby-sphere. If you feel passionate and want to speak about a project or topic that you think suits the mix of people that will be at JRubyConf, let us hear about it! We’re looking forward to a great event and can’t wait to see your proposals.

We’ll leave the call for proposals open until March 31 at Midnight US Central Daylight Time.

If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet, go ahead and get registered. If we accept your proposal and you already bought a ticket, let us know and we’ll refund the ticket right away.

What’s that you say? Unusual that a tech conference in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. would be sponsored by a whisky distillery in Scotland? We wholeheartedy agree!

Bruichladdich hail themselves as Progressive Hebridean Distillers. Looking a little deeper, Minnesota is a progressive state, and JRuby is a progressive piece of technology. So we think we’re actually a great match for each other. When award-winning whisky meets great tech, we all win!

This marks the third annual whisky tasting event at JRubyConf, and we’re fortunate to have Craig Johnstone (aka @WhiskyCraig) join us once again. Craig’s natural storytelling prowess will entertain even those of you who are not (yet!) whisky fans.

And how about that name—Bru-huh? Bruichladdich, one of the fifty most unpronounceable names in Scotland, can be spoken for now as simply “Brook-Laddie”. Rest assured that you’ll get a crash course in proper Scottish pronunciation during the tasting.

We’re overjoyed to welcome Bruichladdich as a sponsor of JRubyConf 2012, and we hope you’ll join in our enthusiasm by reserving your place at this years’ whisky tasting!

Welcome to the official site of the 2012 JRuby Conference! We’ll be using this platform as a way to keep you up to date with conference developments and details as they unfold. This will be the fourth annual JRubyConf and definitely the biggest and best yet! Join us in talking about and celebrating the union of the Java and Ruby communities. Follow this blog to find out more about sponsorships, speakers, after-events and a soon-to-follow call-for-proposals. Also stay tuned for more information about Workshop Day (Monday the 21st) and the conference schedule (Tuesday & Wednesday the 22nd & 23rd).

This year’s JRubyConf will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to some of JRuby’s main contributors and biggest cheerleaders, at the Guthrie Theater on the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

Want to support our cause? We’re currently looking for sponsors for everything from snacks to after-parties, so check out our prospectus for more information, or email us at jrubyconf@engineyard.com if you have other cool ideas. We’d love to see your participation.

Want to join us? Buy your tickets now. Can’t wait to see you all there!