Highlights From Digital Summit Chicago: How Drupal Is Leading The DXP Evolution

At the Digital Summit Series in Chicago, Axelerant proudly joined as a co-sponsor alongside the Drupal Association, showcasing how Drupal has evolved from its developer-centric beginnings to become a powerful enabler for marketers, designers, and content creators.

This shift isn’t just about technology. It’s about people, making digital experiences more intuitive, inclusive, and human-centered.

A Candid Conversation About Drupal’s Transformation

In a lively session led by Prateek Jain, Director of Digital Experience Platforms, Axelerant, and Sachin KS, Head of Sales and Partnerships, Axelerant, the focus was clear:

• Modern Drupal is not just catching up with the demands of digital teams; it’s leapfrogging ahead.
• Through AI capabilities, low-code workflows, and the introduction of the Experience Builder, Drupal is now empowering roles that have traditionally been restricted by the platform.
• Today, marketers, designers, and strategists can build, test, personalize, and optimize experiences without waiting in a developer queue.
• What once required deep technical expertise is now becoming accessible to a much broader community. And that, we believe, is transformational.

Rekindling Nostalgia And Embracing The Future

Throughout the summit, we spoke to many attendees who fondly remembered their early days working with Drupal 7 and Drupal 8. There was a sense of nostalgia, but from a real, palpable excitement about how far Drupal has come, and where it’s going.

They weren't just interested in new features; they were excited by what those features represent:

• Component-driven content creation that gives marketing teams freedom to build without risking brand governance.
• Low-code site building that empowers faster launches and iterative innovation.
• AI-readiness and personalization that shift digital experiences from reactive to predictive.
• Seamless integrations with tools like VWO, allowing for smarter experimentation and data-driven optimization—all from within the Drupal ecosystem.

This wasn’t just tech talk; it was a new vision for how digital experience creation can be democratized across organizations.

Why This Moment Matters: From Platform To Possibility

For years, Drupal was seen as a platform for those who could code their way to a solution.
Today, it’s evolving into a platform of possibilities, a place where vision and creativity drive outcomes, not just technical prowess.

Here’s why that matters:

• Speed matters more than ever. Teams need the ability to launch and iterate quickly without friction.
• Personalization isn’t optional; it’s expected. Visitors today demand experiences that reflect who they are and what they need in real time.
• Testing, learning, and adapting are the new normal. It’s not enough to guess what works; you have to experiment intelligently.

Modern Drupal, infused with AI, low-code tooling, and modular architecture, is becoming the launchpad for agile, human-centric digital experiences.

At Axelerant, we don’t just see this evolution; We’re actively shaping it alongside our clients, partners, and the broader open-source community.

A Community, Reimagined

The most heartening takeaway from Chicago? Drupal’s community is growing—and changing.

It’s no longer just developers debating modules and hooks. It’s marketers, content strategists, designers, and digital leaders asking:

"How can Drupal help us connect more meaningfully with our audiences?"
"How can we empower our teams to create without barriers?"
"How do we make digital spaces more human, more accessible, and more impactful?"

Those conversations are the future, and we’re proud to be part of them.

Moving Forward: Drupal for Everyone 

At Axelerant, we believe that great digital experiences start with great possibilities, and that possibility belongs to everyone.

Whether you’re building your first campaign, personalizing for millions, or experimenting with AI-driven content, modern Drupal is ready to meet you where you are—and take you where you want to go.

The Digital Summit Series in Chicago reminded us of something fundamental:

Technology evolves. But it’s people, and the experiences we create together, that truly move the world forward.

And Drupal? It’s ready for that future. So are we.

Interested In Exploring What The New Drupal Can Do For Your Organization?

Contact Axelerant’s experts to learn how we can help tailor Drupal to your unique needs and help you achieve your goals.