As the Drupal project and community have grown and matured over the last few years, so has the Drupal business ecosystem. Not only has the demand for Drupal goods and services has increased, but industry consolidation and the entry of new players into the ecosystem has dramatically changed the landscape for how Drupal-centric businesses position themselves in the marketplace.

One consequence is that it's become more important than ever for Drupal-centric businesses to demonstrate both stability and professionalism, not just for their own survival, but also for the reputation of the Drupal project and community.

This session will draw upon nearly two decades of experience at Palantir.net, as well as my personal background as the product of several generations of family entrepreneurs. We'll take a look at the evolution of the Drupal project and community, the challenges posed by the rapid and dramatic changes in the Drupal business ecosystem, and what lessons we can learn from looking at the values and practices of some of the world’s most enduring companies.

The goal of this session is to provide those who are involved in running Drupal-centric businesses with the tools and perspective necessary to evolve as business conditions require and to build companies that will stand the test of time.