The Great International Developer Summit (GIDS) is one of India's premier technology conferences, a vibrant gathering where developers, engineers, and industry leaders converge to explore the future of software innovation. This year, Toast was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of GIDS 2025, marking a significant moment for our growing presence in the region.

Our participation was highlighted by an insightful keynote from our India Site Lead, Kavita V., and an immersive, hands-on booth experience meticulously set up by a team of passionate Toasters. The goal was to connect with the thriving tech community, showcase our unique platform, and share the exciting challenges we are solving in restaurant technology.

To truly understand the impact of the event, we sat down with the Toasters in India who made it happen: the facilitators who engaged attendees at our booth, the engineers who absorbed the conference sessions, Employer Brand Program Manager Srishti Garg, and our keynote speaker and India site lead, Kavita Viswanath.

How did the booth  help create space for genuine interaction between attendees and Toast?

The Toast booth at GIDS turned quite a few heads with its experiential setup. Rather than just talking about restaurant technology, we brought it to life. Attendees saw how an order flows through the Toast ecosystem — from a self-ordering kiosk, to the POS, to a real-time printed receipt. This wasn’t a simulation but a working demo, complete with a GIDS menu of Toast swag. Nearly everyone who walked in lit up with the familiar thought, “I’ve always wanted to open a cozy café someday,” and was fascinated by how Toast brings efficiency and delight to the food industry.
— Kritika S., Engineering Manager, AI (Bangalore)

The vibrant booth was undoubtedly our biggest draw. The process of the QR code quiz to introduce Toast, placing swag orders, and letting visitors "touch and feel" our products created an immersive and memorable experience. This hands-on approach went beyond explaining features and allowed visitors to genuinely interact with and understand the value of Toast’s product offerings.
— Utpal K., Head of Talent Acquisition (Bangalore)

Were there any standout moments that showed how people connected with Toast’s story and team during the event?

There were so many memorable moments at the booth. Attendees kept coming back to tell us how warm and approachable the Toasters were, and how patiently every question was answered. A conference speaker even said our setup was the most unique they had seen, because it let them experience what ordering with Toast really feels like. What made it even more special was how we brought our global culture to life at the booth, leaving people genuinely excited and impressed.
— Srishti G., Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand & Early Careers (Bangalore)

Kavita’s keynote stood out as a key highlight. Several visitors mentioned her talk when they came by the booth, sharing how much it resonated with them. It not only got people thinking but also encouraged them to stop, ask questions, and continue the conversation with our team. Her time on stage clearly helped people connect with Toast in a more personal way.
— Utpal K., Head of Talent Acquisition (Bangalore)

Was there a session, talk, or booth that introduced an idea or perspective you found especially thought provoking?

Some of the Java sessions explored internals and design aspects we often take for granted, which gave me a fresh perspective. The AI sessions were equally insightful, covering tools and real-world applications we could explore at work. Both sessions sparked ideas worth discussing or experimenting with as a team.
— Arpit G., Staff Software Engineer, Enterprise (Bangalore)

I visited almost every booth at GIDS and found them really interesting. Some of the booths showcased  how their platform combines multiple features in one place, including APM traces, synthetic monitoring, and AI-powered alerts. These seemed powerful for catching issues before production and keeping pace with AI. There were also booths that were a lot of fun, with engaging interactive elements - from solving DSA problems to cracking tech quizzes and games to building my own 3D sketch, the entire event felt like a perfect mix of learning and play.
— Aditi T., Software Engineer, Payments (Bangalore)

What was a memorable takeaway for you from GIDS whether from a talk, a conversation, or just being in the atmosphere of the event?

One of the most memorable takeaways for me was witnessing the true spirit of One Team at the Toast booth. Toasters were speaking almost non-stop to curious developers and leaders, yet the energy never dipped. What stood out was how naturally the team supported each other, stepping in to answer questions, refilling swag, or offering a quick break. The passion for the product and pride in our mission made it clear how culture and teamwork shine in moments like these.
— Kritika S., Engineering Manager, AI (Bangalore)

I personally felt very involved in showcasing Toast’s culture at GIDS. A brand’s perception comes not only from what it does but also from how it does it. By representing Toast and engaging with the local talent and business community, I felt proud to contribute to how people experienced and perceived Toast during the event.
— Bijit S., Senior Product Manager, Enterprise (Bangalore)

How did being at GIDS whether through conversations or the overall experience influence how you think about your work or growth?

Attending GIDS gave me a broader view of how quickly technology is evolving, especially through conversations about AI in everyday applications. A talk on scalable architecture made me reflect on how we design systems at work and inspired me to explore more efficient patterns. 
— Kapil S., Business Systems Staff III (Bangalore)

The sessions on Java internals and AI tools challenged my assumptions and made me reflect on design trade-offs and long-term maintainability. My conversations with other developers sparked new ideas and reinforced the importance of staying curious and learning continuously.
— Arpit G., Staff Software Engineer, Enterprise (Bangalore)

Your keynote "Beyond Code: The Essential Skills for Future Tech Leaders" touched on a powerful topic. What message did you most want to leave with the developer audience?

The path to becoming a successful tech leader requires looking beyond the code. In today's disruptive era, it's about shifting your mindset to embrace three essential skills.

First, you must develop a holistic view of both business and technology. This means understanding that your code is not an end in itself, but a means to solve a customer's problem. You have to consider user needs, business goals, and the broader market landscape.

Second, recognize that communication is your superpower. It's the essential tool for influencing stakeholders, advocating for technical investments, and simplifying complex ideas so that everyone is on the same page.

Finally, you need to actively cultivate leadership. This isn't just a title—it's about taking ownership, mentoring your peers, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

At Toast, we live these principles every day. Our engineering culture is built on the idea that every developer is a leader empowered to solve problems for our customers, ensuring our technology has a real, tangible impact. It's how we build a truly resilient and future-ready team.

— Kavita V., SVP Engineering & India Site Lead (Bangalore)