The ACCU Conference is one of the longest running developer conferences in the world. Established by the ACCU organisation in 1997 it has always been open to the whole community and at the forefront of what's happening in the world of software development.
Originally focused on C and C++, that community has expanded to include other language ecosystems, and you should expect to be exposed to content on C#, D, F#, Go, Javascript, Haskell, Java, Kotlin, Lisp, Python, Ruby, Rust, Swift and more. There are always sessions on TDD, BDD, and how to do programming right.
The tagline for the ACCU is "Professionalism in Programming", which captures the whole spectrum of programming languages, tools, techniques and processes involved in advancing our craft.
The ACCU Conference is a conference by programmers for programmers about programming.
As of 2026 this site is no longer maintained as the ACCU Conference has joined C++ on Sea to form ACCU on Sea. Please refer to that site for the combined event.
News: New website for combined event
Now that the ACCU Conference has joined forces with C++ on Sea, we're also combining the websites into one new one. This site will stick around for historical purposes (or in case the events split, again, in the future) - but for all future information regarding ACCU on Sea please now visit the new site at accuonsea.uk.
Location
"ACCU on Sea" - the combined ACCU and C++ on Sea conferences, will be held at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, Kent, UK. This historic seaside town is also home to the channel tunnel and, as such, has excellent links to the rest of europe. It's also very accessible from London with the UK's (currently) only high speed link, the HS1. For more comprehensive travel information, see the page, Getting to C++ on Sea
The Leas Cliff Hall is a working theater that also has a dedicated conference suite. Built into the cliffs, and with floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the sea on three sides, the views are spectacular!
The venue is about a 15 minute walk from Folkestone Central station, or ten minutes walk to the bustling town centre. As well as the modern town the old quarter, home to art galleries, curio shops and bohemian cafes and restaurants, extends down to the picturesque harbour. It's no wonder The Times voted it one of the best places to live in 2023.
Although the venue is split across three floors, connected via staircases, it is also fully accessible via elevator.
Accommodation
Accommodation can be booked directly with nearby hotels in the area.
The ACCU on Sea conference is run by Shaved Yaks Events in partnership with the ACCU Conference Committee.