Are you attending WordCamp US? Be sure to tell everyone you’ll be there! Grab an attendee or volunteer badge below and add it to your site or blog. (We’re fans of a whole post about your plans to attend WordCamp US of course, but they’ll also work well in a sidebar.)

To add a badge to your site, right click the image that you’d like and save it. Then upload it to your site, link the badge to the WCUS site, and spread the word!

Be sure to let Twitter and Facebook know you’re attending WordCamp US too, and use the #WCUS hashtag.

No plans to attend WordCamp US? Why not? Tickets are available right now.

We’re excited to announce the WordPress Foundation will offer the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship to attend WordCamp US once again this year. Kim was a valued and committed contributor to the WordPress project, and this is the WordPress Foundation’s way of honoring her.

Details on the Scholarship

This scholarship is for a woman contributor with financial need who has never attended WordCamp US before.

• It will cover the cost of the ticket, flight, and lodging.
• It will not cover things like taxis, meals outside the official event, or airport transportation.
• One scholarship will be awarded.
• It is funded by the WordPress Foundation.

The application deadline is Sunday, October 16 at 12am Pacific.

A decision will be made by November 1, and applicants will be notified.

Apply for the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship

Who Should Apply for the Scholarship

Kim’s experience at WordCamp San Francisco a few months before her death was important to her, and the travel assistance program made it possible. She was passionate about recruiting and recognizing women contributors, so this scholarship in her memory is limited only to applicants who fulfill all four requirements:

• a woman (this includes trans women),
• an active contributor to the WordPress open source project (through one of the contributor teams or as a local meetup or WordCamp organizer),
• someone with financial need, and
• someone who has never attended WordCamp US.

Kim had strong feelings about older women getting involved and being welcomed into the community, so while there is no age limit on this scholarship, we would like to especially encourage older women to apply — you are welcome, and your experience is valued here!

Apply for the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship

NOTE: This award will result in income to the recipient that might be taxable, depending on the recipient’s circumstances. In general, scholarships paid for the purpose of study are tax-free to the recipient, but travel stipends or travel-related components of scholarships are not.

We’re happy to announce that we have once again secured a select number of discounted rooms at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown for WordCamp US.

Hotel Details

The Sheraton is two blocks from the Convention Center where WCUS will take place, and within walking distance of many of the city’s major attractions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Love Park, and the Franklin Institute.

The hotel features a fitness room, indoor swimming pool, and has a Starbucks right in the lobby. There is also a bar and restaurant located in the atrium of the hotel, which is sure to be a great place to meetup with other attendees again this year.

How to Book

To book your stay, visit this Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel page. Or call the hotel directly at (215) 448-2000 or (888) 627-8178 and reference WordCamp US 2016.

The rate is $199 per night, and the rooms can be occupied by up to four people at the same price. When booking your room this way, you’ll receive the special room rate and free in-room WiFi.

This group rate is available for booking until November 14. Room availability is limited, so reserve one as soon as you can.

Still need a ticket to WCUS 2016? Grab one today! 

Hey, procrastinators! The deadline to apply to speak or volunteer at WordCamp US 2016 is today.

Applying to Speak

If you’re not sure if your topic is quite right, check out this post for ideas and past sessions. (Or just go for it and apply. We love to see new ideas pop up in the submissions!)

Head over to wcus-speakers.org to complete the application.

Applying to Volunteer

Volunteers are key for making WordCamps a success, and WordCamp US is extra-large so we need a bunch!

As a volunteer, you could help out at registration, assist in making sure speakers end up where they need to be, answer attendee questions, distribute swag, and lots more. (If any of the jobs sound terrible to you, don’t let that stop you. The application has a spot for you to let us know what you really don’t want to do.) Still not sure? Read more about what it’s like to volunteer at WCUS here.

Complete the application to volunteer here.

If you’re not up for speaking or volunteering, sign up to be an attendee! Tickets are available now.