Apache Kafka is a high-throughput distributed messaging system used across various industries by thousands of companies, including Twitter, Netflix, and Cisco. It has become a mission-critical infrastructure component for modern data platforms. The upcoming Apache: Big Data Europe conference will feature 120+ sessions, including talks about Apache Kafka and stream processing. Confluent's Michael G. Noll will present "Being Ready for Apache Kafka: Today’s Ecosystem and Future Roadmap," providing an update on the growth of the Kafka project community and what's required to put Kafka in production. The presentation will cover the current ecosystem, operational tools, peripheral components, and the upcoming project roadmap. Confluent is also hosting Current 2024 in Austin, Texas, where attendees can discuss Apache Kafka and Apache Flink with tech leaders and industry giants.