At Inforest Communications, we’re always looking for ways to stay at the forefront of web development, and one of our favorite annual events to do just that is Drupal Camp New Jersey. Held at Princeton University, this event brings together developers, designers, and digital strategists to share knowledge, connect, and dive into the latest trends in the Drupal community.

For those new to web design or development, Drupal is a powerful open-source content management system (CMS) used to build everything from personal blogs to enterprise-level applications. It powers high-profile websites like Major League Soccer (MLS), Pinterest For Business, and is Princeton University’s platform of choice. According to Drupal.org, Drupal’s strengths lie in its flexibility, modular structure, secure framework, and robust content management features.

This year’s Drupal Camp New Jersey 2023 felt more intimate than previous years, but the smaller crowd didn’t take away from the quality of sessions. Here’s a quick look at some of the talks we attended and what we took away:

Meet Drupal 10 by Matthew Lechleider

This session covered the basics of installing and configuring Drupal—a solid primer for those new to the platform. While we hoped for a deeper dive into the features and enhancements in Drupal 10, the brief overview at the end still gave us a glimpse into what’s ahead. We’re looking forward to exploring more of these updates in future projects.

Create A Scalable Multi-site Platform Roadmap by Mandee Englert

One of the more practical sessions, Mandee shared insights into managing scalable multisite platforms—ideal for organizations with multiple departments or brands that need customization while staying on-brand. It was a great reminder that with the right architecture, Drupal can support a wide array of tailored, scalable solutions without sacrificing consistency.

Using Google Data (now Looker) Studio for Dashboard Analytics Reporting by Jeffrey S. Danielewicz

‘We’ve been longtime users of Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio), so it was refreshing to see how it’s being implemented in a higher-ed context at Penn. The live demo was especially helpful in visualizing how to set up intuitive, client-friendly analytics dashboards using data from Google Analytics.

Watch the session:

Creating a Culture of Documentation by Alanna Burke

Hands down, our favorite session of the camp. Alanna emphasized the critical importance of good documentation in development. Poor or missing documentation often leads to frustration and abandoned modules or features. She offered actionable strategies: requiring documentation before code merges, integrating documentation tools into the development workflow, and emphasizing accessibility for both developers and users.

This session was a much-needed reminder that great documentation isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential.

Watch the session: 

Every year, Drupal Camp New Jersey helps us sharpen our skills, connect with the community, and get inspired by new possibilities. It’s not just about learning the latest features—it’s about expanding our thinking around scalability, usability, and collaboration. Whether you’re new to Drupal or a seasoned contributor, this camp continues to offer real value.

We’re already looking forward to what Drupal Camp NJ 2024 will bring—and how we can bring those insights to our clients’ projects.