Attending a WordCamp can be an eye-opening, career-boosting and just plain fun experience for anyone interested in learning more about WordPress. With hundreds of these community-organized conferences happening annually across the globe, WordCamps have become a vital part of the WordPress ecosystem.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll leverage my 15+ years of webmaster experience to provide everything you need to know about getting involved with WordCamps. You‘ll learn what exactly a WordCamp is, who should attend, what you can expect, and the many benefits of being part of a WordCamp. Let‘s dive in!
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A Brief History of WordCamps
WordCamps began in 2006 when Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, organized the first gathering in San Francisco along with other members of the WordPress community. It was a relatively small event with around 100 attendees, but it sparked the beginning of something much bigger.
Since that inaugural WordCamp, the number of these events has grown immensely each year:
| Year | Number of WordCamps | Number of Countries Hosted In |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 43 | 11 |
| 2015 | 207 | 48 |
| 2019 | 295 | 76 |
| 2021 | 425 | 113 |
As you can see from the stats, WordCamps have expanded rapidly over the past 15 years to become a global phenomenon. What started as a single event with less than 100 participants in San Francisco has transformed into hundreds of WordCamps annually in countries all over the world.
And the attendance numbers are just as impressive. Major WordCamp events in cities like New York, London, Tokyo and others now draw audiences of over 1,000 people or more. But even smaller local WordCamps are well attended, often seeing hundreds of enthusiastic WordPress users come together to connect and learn.
Who Should Attend a WordCamp?
The great thing about WordCamps is that they‘re open and welcoming to anyone who has interest in learning more about WordPress. Some common attendees include:
- Bloggers who use WordPress to publish their sites
- Web designers and developers who build websites and apps with WordPress
- Digital agencies, freelancers and consultants serving WordPress clients
- Businesses, nonprofits, publishers using WordPress for their online presence
- Marketers, SEO experts, social media pros leveraging WordPress
- Students and those looking to boost their web skills and careers
Over 43% of all websites run on WordPress, so there‘s certainly no shortage of people who could benefit from the knowledge shared at a WordCamp. From total beginners to veterans, designers to coders to marketers, these events offersomething for everyone across fields.
I‘ve met attendees as young as 15 and as old as 85 at WordCamps. No matter your age, background, or experience level, you‘ll gain immense value from the community experience.
What to Expect from the WordCamp Experience
While every WordCamp has its own unique flair, you can expect some common elements no matter which one you attend:
Educational Sessions and Workshops
The heart of any great WordCamp is the wealth of educational content and hands-on workshops. Topics run the gamut from WordPress basics to intro workshops for first-time users all the way to highly advanced sessions on design, development, SEO, business strategy, and any aspect of using WordPress.
Having attended dozens of WordCamps over the years, I‘m continually amazed by the knowledge and creativity on display in these sessions. For example, at the last WordCamp I attended, there were enlightening presentations on using WordPress as an intranet for a distributed large company, leveraging it as a headless CMS for mobile apps, and even helping charities accept donations. The focused WordPress content means you walk away with a brain full of new skills and ideas.
Big Name Speakers
Don‘t be surprised if you find yourself in a session taught by a well-known figure in the WordPress world. The grassroots, community-driven ethos of WordCamps means that even celebrities of the CMS world are often happy to speak at both major events and small local gatherings.
As a webmaster who‘s helped organize WordCamps, I‘ve seen big names like Matt Mullenweg, Joost de Valk, and Pippin Williamson speak at events with just a few hundred attendees. The low-key vibe gives you a chance to connect directly with experts and thought leaders in an intimate setting.
New Perspectives on WordPress
With attendees ranging from total novices to core contributors to the WordPress project itself, WordCamps expose you to incredibly diverse use cases, experiences, and perspectives. It‘s eye-opening to see all the ingenious and unexpected ways fellow users are leveraging WordPress. You‘re guaranteed to discover capabilities and techniques that never crossed your mind before.
As someone who‘s built websites on WordPress for over 15 years, I still learn new tips, hidden functions, and creative approaches nearly every time I attend a WordCamp session. You walk away buzzing with new ideas you can immediately apply.
Networking, Socializing and Camaraderie
The connections you make at a WordCamp can be just as valuable as the technical knowledge. WordCamps usually host fun social events like parties, happy hours, dinners, or casual meetups where you can unwind and get to know other members of the WordPress community.
I can‘t count the number of times I‘ve connected with someone at the after-party of a WordCamp who later became a business partner, client, helpful acquaintance, or even close friend. The shared passion for WordPress brings people together. Lifelong connections and opportunities are made at WordCamps every day.
The Many Benefits of Attending a WordCamp
Participating in a WordCamp delivers immense value whether you‘re a new user looking to learn the WordPress basics or a seasoned expert seeking to expand your skills. Here are some of the top benefits you can expect:
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Build your WordPress expertise: From the sessions to workshops to people you meet, you‘ll come home with new capabilities that improve your use of WordPress.
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Gain fresh inspiration: The creativity on display often sparks new ideas on how you can utilize WordPress better for your own sites, clients, or organizations.
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Troubleshoot problems: Stuck trying to fix a WordPress issue? You can often find solutions by asking experts at a WordCamp.
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Further your career: Many web pros leverage WordCamps to build their reputation, make connections, and boost their resumes.
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Meet potential clients/partners: A constant stream of partnership, client networking, and job opportunities flow through every WordCamp.
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Dive into the WordPress community: There‘s no better way to connect with the passionate, helpful WP community and get involved.
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Unlock hidden techniques: Discover little-known WordPress hacks and techniques shared by speakers who often contribute core code.
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See where WordPress is heading: Get a preview of what‘s on the horizon for WordPress from those building it.
How to Make the Most of Your WordCamp Experience
As a WordCamp veteran, let me share some pro tips for maximizing the value you get out of attending one of these events:
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Arrive early on day 1 to settle in, review the schedule, and chat with sponsors. The seats fill fast once sessions start.
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Take notes during the presentations. Scribble down ideas, tips, and any insightful points made by speakers.
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Ask questions during Q&A segments. Don‘t be shy about raising your hand – people are super friendly!
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Network, network, network! Chat with attendees before/after sessions, during breaks, at meals, parties. Make connections!
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Follow up promptly with any promising contacts you met via email or social media.
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Soak up the advice in hallway conversations and impromptu gatherings. WordCamps are fountains of knowledge.
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Check the job boards posted at some WordCamps for new opportunities.
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Spread the word on social media showing off your experience. Help promote future WordCamps.
Launching a New WordCamp in Your City
Can‘t find an established WordCamp in your region? Take the initiative to launch one yourself! While it takes work, the end result delivers immense value.
Some key steps in organizing a new WordCamp:
- Recruit a small team of local WordPress enthusiasts to help
- Scout event venues that can host 200-500 people affordably
- Propose your city via the WordCamp central website
- Recruit knowledgeable speakers on relevant WordPress topics
- Sign up local sponsors to help fund the event in exchange for exposure
- Promote the event extensively across local meetups, universities, agencies
- Manage ticket sales through the central WordCamp site
- Execute all logistics like A/V, catering, signage the days of the event
With the blueprint of past WordCamps to follow, it‘s very feasible to pull off an incredibly successful event even your first time. Reach out to the central WordCamp team for guidance. And as someone who‘s done this before, feel free to pick my brain!
Join the WordCamp Fun
I hope this guide has shown why WordCamps are such a valuable, memorable experience for anyone excited about WordPress. If you get a chance, be sure register for WordCamp happening near you. And please reach out if you need any advice on picking the right workshops or navigating your first time attending one.
See you at the next WordCamp!
