Category: Announcement

You read that correctly, this post is about Call for Cities for WordCamp US 2022! There are some big changes to how we plan to approach city selection for 2022. 

In past years, local WordPress communities applied to be the host city of WordCamp US. Organizers were asked to gather info, such as enthusiasm for their city, local WordPress community activity, organizer interest, and even possible venue bids.

This is a big ask: securing a holistic bid from a convention center for +2,000 people is not something most of us do!

In 2020, the WCUS team hired an events management team to handle this step. Local WordPress communities still expressed why their city would be the best fit for WCUS, but the work of soliciting bids and securing a competitive quote was left to a professional. Great, right? Well, 2020 did not work out as hoped. 

@kcristiano, @kdrewien, and I (@angelasjin), as community deputies and past lead organizers of WordCamp US, began discussing the need to secure a venue for WordCamp US. We all felt that requesting applications from local WordPress communities today would place an undue burden on volunteers. Risk evaluation and forecasting feasibility of an in-person flagship requires a professional events management team. 

We intend to do a city search instead of a Call for Cities.

The events management team will send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) and negotiate with venues, and then select the City and venue that best meets the needs for WordCamp US.

The team is looking for a venue that can accommodate WCUS scaling up or down in size, and would allow us to cancel or postpone with minimal financial impact. There were local WordPress communities who applied to be host cities for 2020 and we are including those cities in this year’s search. 

You may be wondering what this organizing team for WordCamp US will look like! That’s an excellent question.

WordCamp US 2022 will be opening Call for Organizers in mid-November, and a team of past WordCamp US organizers will review those applications. This team will include @kcristiano, @kdrewien, @mysweetcate, @aaroncampbell, and @kimwhite. The plan is to bring the organizing team to the future host city. Once the city is chosen, we will look to the local community for Organizers. If the Call for Organizers has ended before the city is announced we will reopen applications for Organizers from the host city. 

We hope to see you in-person at WordCamp US 2022! If you have any questions or thoughts, please share in the comments on this post.

This post was contributed to by @angelasjin, @kdrewien, @kcristiano, @mysweetcate, @michelleames

WordCamp US is an event where amazing things happen. From new partnerships, project opportunities, job leads, and designer-developer collaborations to meeting fellow WordPress enthusiasts, learning from the WordPress experts, and sharing your knowledge and experience, there’s a lot of goodness that comes out of this conference. 

Agreed this year we’ll miss the in-person magic of warm hugs, hallway chats, meals together, high-fives, and fun swag, but there are things you can do to get yourself ready and make the most out of the online experience. 

“Opportunity is like a window: every once in a while, it opens, if you’re ready for that opportunity. So be prepared.”

TIP #1

Since the event is on a Friday, make sure to block off the day on your work calendar so you can give your full attention to WCUS. Talk to your employer if you have a full-time job, or to your clients if you are freelancing so they know you are not available on that day. 

TIP #2  

Since WordPress has a global community, make sure you note the time of the event in your time zone. The conference starts at 8.45 AM PDT. You can use this Time Zone Converter to find the time in your location. 

TIP #3

Set an auto responder in your email to let your team and clients know you might be slow in responding to their messages and requests.

TIP #4

Review the schedule, research the speakers, and plan ahead on the sessions you want to attend. You can “star” the sessions that interest you and email yourself so you have it handy on the day.

TIP #5

WordPress is all about the community. Look at the networking events that are happening, plan to hop into the virtual sponsor booths, and connect with the media partners that pique your interest. 

TIP #6

Find a location with a good internet connection and/or a room or a dedicated space where you can be focused and away from interruptions for the day if you can. Keep your family (or other important people) in the loop on what’s happening.

TIP #7

Since most of us are working from home, plan ahead on what you would like to have for lunch on that day. The last thing you want is to have an empty refrigerator and scramble around for food ideas during lunchtime and miss a valuable session. Also, have some fun treats stacked for your coffee breaks.

TIP #8

Prepare to watch the sessions from a laptop or desktop instead of a mobile device to ensure you can see the presentations clearly.  Have your devices, screens, and wireless headphones charged and ready for the day. Have the chargers handy when the devices run out of juice. 

TIP #9

On the day of the event, clear your desk and have a notebook and pen ready to jot down your thoughts, action items, and takeaways from the sessions. Have a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the day and/or your beverage of choice to keep you caffeinated!  

TIP #10

Get out of your loungewear and wear your best geeky tee-shirt or top. Don’t forget to click a selfie and post on social media so we know you’ve been part of this amazing event. 

We hope these tips will help you to get ready to learn and connect and have fun at WordCamp US!

Wapuu got hold of the road map and has been exploring all the national parks along the way. As a matter of fact, it’s working its way down the two rivers that our speakers are on! The Yukon and Columbia.

Continue reading “Meet WCUS 2021 Wapuu!” →

Meet the eleven podcasters and media outlets who are helping to share all the event details through out the WordPress community. With their added help, we’re able to reach an even greater number of people, giving them the opportunity to join in on all the WCUS 2021 fun!

Please welcome:

The WP Weekly
Torque
Post Status
Kitchen Sink WP
The HeroPress Network
Do the Woo
WP Tavern
The WP Minute
LeverageWP.co
The Repository
WPKlik

You’ll be able to find them through out the event on the Media Partners dedicated page.

Announcing the next four speakers for WCUS 2021 Online!

Continue reading “WCUS Speakers: Third Group” →

Announcing the next four speakers for WCUS 2021 Online!

Continue reading “WCUS Speakers: Second Group” →

Announcing the first four speakers for WCUS 2021 Online!

Continue reading “WCUS Speakers: First Group” →

WCUS 2021 is fast approaching, and if you’d like to help us spread the word, this week is for you!!!

Podcasters and media outlets have ONE WEEK — this week, the week of 8/30 – 9/3 — to join the WCUS 2021 team as Media Partners. If that’s you and you’re interested, simply email and we’ll be in touch.

Curious what’s involved?

Media Partners will be asked to:

• Introduce WCUS 2021 to your audience in whatever format fits best (blog post, podcast, etc.)
• Before October 1, post about the event on social media
  • share our speaker lineup
  • encourage your audience to get tickets
• On October 1, post on Twitter at least three times about the event

Media Partners will get:

• Your logo on a dedicated Media Partner page on the WCUS website
• At least one social post announcing you as a Media Partner
• At least one social post thanking you for being a Media Partner
• Access to available speakers and organizers for additional content creation purposes
• A dedicated team member, Cate DeRosia, to answer your questions and help facilitate requests

Interested? Contact Cate DeRosia via email at us@wordcamp.org.