Travis Gosselin

Modern HTTP APIs power today’s connected world, acting as the core interface not only for developers, but also for the ever-growing ecosystem of machines, services, and now AI agents. As every organization is increasingly expected to produce and consume APIs at scale, the ability to design, build, deploy, and operate consistent, high-quality APIs has become a key competitive differentiator. With AI accelerating the need for composable, well-structured, and discoverable interfaces, API maturity is no longer optional—it’s essential. However, building and scaling effective API Design First practices across an enterprise is still fraught with manual processes, inconsistent standards, and slow governance models. To succeed, organizations must reimagine API Governance as a strategic enabler—one that prioritizes collaboration, stewardship, and automation.

In this session, we’ll explore the core stages of the API design lifecycle and share how to implement practical, modern governance models that increase productivity without sacrificing control. Drawing on real-world examples from SPS Commerce, as well as off-the-shelf tooling and custom solutions, we’ll show how to align your teams, accelerate delivery, and produce APIs that are robust, reusable, and ready for both human and AI consumers.

In the fast-moving world of API development, the right tools can make all the difference—especially in the age of AI. As automation accelerates and complexity grows, it’s never been more important to equip your teams with tools that support clarity, consistency, and velocity. This session explores a curated set of essential tools that every API practitioner should know—spanning the entire API lifecycle. From design and development to governance, documentation, and collaboration, we’ll highlight solutions that boost productivity and support scalable, AI-ready API practices. Whether you're refining your stack or starting from scratch, this toolkit will help you deliver better APIs, faster.

Join to discover how this essential toolkit can empower your API journey, enhancing productivity and ensuring optimal performance throughout the API lifecycle.

In an era where digital transformation and AI adoption are accelerating across every industry, the need for consistent, scalable, and robust APIs has never been more critical. AI-powered tools—whether generating code, creating documentation, or integrating services—rely heavily on clean, well-structured API specifications to function effectively. As teams grow and the number of APIs multiplies, maintaining design consistency becomes a foundational requirement not just for human developers, but also for enabling reliable, intelligent automation. This session explores how linting and reusable models can help teams meet that challenge at scale.

We will explore API linting using the open-source Spectral project to enable teams to identify and rectify inconsistencies during design. In tandem, we will navigate the need for reusable models—recognizing that the best specification is the one you don’t have to write or lint at all! These two approaches not only facilitate the smooth integration of services but also foster collaboration across teams by providing a shared, consistent foundation.

APIs are everywhere! Yet, designing APIs that are intuitive, evolvable, and developerfriendly remains a challenge. This workshop introduces the API Design First approach, which emphasizes collaboration, consistency, and exceptional developer experience by focusing on crafting your API contract before implementation. We’ll explore why API Design First matters, how it compares to the traditional Code First method, and how adopting this approach can transform the way teams build APIs.

Through interactive exercises, you’ll gain handson experience with OpenAPI, learning to craft “good” API contracts grounded in RESTful principles. You'll also dive into API Design Reviews, participating in mock sessions to understand how collaboration can elevate the quality and consistency of your designs. By experiencing proven API Design First practices, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap to enhance your own APIs and elevate your organization’s API program. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or product manager, this workshop equips you with the skills, tools, and mindset to create APIs that deliver lasting value and exceptional developer satisfaction.