After a successful first edition in 2025, CERN PGDay returns in 2026 as a regular gathering for PostgreSQL users and enthusiasts in Suisse Romande (western Switzerland). Co-organized by CERN and SwissPUG, the event offers a chance to connect, share ideas, and exchange experiences in the vibrant Geneva region — home to many international organizations across the public, private, and scientific sectors.
The 2026 edition will take place on Friday, February 6th, starting at 10:00. The programme features a single track of six sessions, all held in English, followed by a social event to continue discussions and networking in the inspiring setting of CERN.
Registration
Registration is open until 1 February 2026 23:59 CET and operated via the event page directly at CERN. This allows the automatic issuing of the CERN visitor badges that are needed to enter the campus. Members of SwissPUG and CERN staff or alumni are eligible for a discounted rate. Payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer.
Call for Sponsors
We are offering five equal sponsorship opportunities of CHF 1'000 each. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact the organising team for details.
How to get to and visit CERN
CERN is an exciting place that can be reached in about 25 minutes from Switzerland via Geneva and tram 18. There are also buses (68 & 67) if you are coming from France. For more details on directions click here.
Have a look at your schedule before or after the event: you might be able to take advantage of the conference to visit.cern
At the site
For Internet access, the public WiFi network "CERN-Visitors" or eduroam are available. More information on campus access and directions to the event location on the CERN campus can be found here.
Organization Team
The organization is mostly done by a local team, with support from SwissPUG. The team consists of:
- Maurizio De Giorgi, CERN
- Andrzej Nowicki, CERN
- Tobias Bussmann, SCNAT
- Andreas Geppert, ZKB
- Markus Wanner, EBD
- Daniel Westermann, dbi
Call for Papers
We are keen to get proposals for talks via Indico. The call for Papers will be open until 7th December 2025.
This year's talk selection committee consists of:
- Tobias Bussmann, SCNAT (chair, non voting)
- Abel Cabezas Alonso, CERN
- Maurizio De Giorgi, CERN
- Andreas Geppert, ZKB
- Julia Gugel, migrolino
- Tom Hagel, Volue
- Svitlana Lytvynenko, CYBERTEC
- Gülçin Yıldırım Jelinek, Xata
Each member has an equal vote and abstains from voting on his or her own proposals or those of colleagues. The talk selection committee can be reached at cern-pgday-tsc@swisspug.org. CERN, venue host and co-organizer of the event, will provide a keynote presentation on relevant topics to be agreed with the committee. We will notify all submitters of the outcome of the selection process by 19 December 2025.
Code of Conduct
PostgreSQL conferences have an amazing atmosphere and are very welcoming to new people joining the community. This is something we treasure. Therefor we require all attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers to follow the PostgreSQL Project's Code of Conduct during the event.
Thank you for your help in making the CERN PGDay 2026 fun and enjoyable for everyone!
If needed, please contact any organizer, or a member of the community Code of Conduct Committee.
Red Lanyards
CERN PGDay operates a "Red Lanyard" scheme that is designed to help you maintain your privacy at our events. When you collect your badge upon arrival at the conference, you will be able to select either a red or white lanyard. Choosing a red lanyard will indicate to the event organisers and other attendees that you do not wish to have your photograph taken and posted on social media or on other public sites.
We will make every effort to honour your wishes, and we ask all attendees to do the same. It is, however, a 'best effort' system and sometimes a red lanyard may not be spotted before a picture is posted publicly. In cases where this happens, please reach out to either the person who posted the picture or to the conference organisers to request that the picture be removed.
Financial disclosure
The budget of CERN PGDay is calculated to break even with the support of our generous sponsors. Any deviations from the budget will be borne by the Swiss PostgreSQL Users Group and any profits will be invested in future activities to support the PostgreSQL community according to their statutes.
No CERN PGDay staff receives any payment for their work, except free attendance and a staff dinner.
The CERN PGDay is a community event organized by the Swiss PostgreSQL Users Group in collaboration with CERN.
Useful information
Local points of contact: Organization team, CERN Security Service: +41 22 76 76666