We can’t wait to see you (again)
As the world’s WordPress community arrives at National Harbor, Maryland for WordCamp US 2023 (WCUS) and the WordPress Community Summit, be prepared to have fun and create lasting WordPress memories! Whether you’re a first-timer or have been to lots of WordCamps, WCUS is one of the flagship WordPress events and you may be wondering what to expect.
WordCamps include a wide variety of sessions on how to use WordPress more effectively, full site editing and blocks, beginning plugin and theme development, advanced techniques, security, and more. You’ll be joining an expected 1,700 attendees for WCUS at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (Gaylord National) and here’s a three-part series on what to look for.
There is ample signage on-site, and Gaylord National has also made available a map (PDF, 1.8mb) of its convention center.
WCUS 2023 starts with Contributor Day
This year’s Contributor Day will occur on Thursday, August 24th, at the beginning of WCUS. Please sign-up in advance. Contributor Day is a full day dedicated to bringing together users who will contribute to the WordPress open-source project. New contributors are asked to arrive by 8:30 am, for a New Contributor Orientation. Returning contributors are asked to arrive by 9:30 am.
No matter your experience level, we could use your help! To learn about the twenty-one (21) teams and where you can contribute, visit the Make WordPress website.
WordCamp US is happening where?
WordCamp US will take place on multiple levels at the Gaylord National. Presentations will be held in three (3) rooms – Woodrow Wilson, Annapolis, and Cherry Blossom on the Ballroom level – with nearby elevators and escalators connecting the two floors. Check out the venue map.
The sponsor hall and food service for WCUS will take place on the Lower Atrium level in Prince Edward Conference Hall E and Woodrow Wilson Lobby.
We’re providing ramps to all presentation stages and working with venue staff to ensure wide aisles in all event areas, variable table heights, and priority seating for you. Finally, view these common path descriptions and maps to help make navigating the Gaylord National as accessible and inclusive as possible to all attendees.
Session Details
WordCamp US sessions will have lecture-style (row) seating, with open spaces for wheelchairs and motorized devices, and priority seating up front for folks who need it. Both days will begin with opening remarks, a keynote speaker, and each hour’s presentation will be in one or more of the following talk formats:
- Lightning (15 minutes);
- Standard (45 minutes); and
- Workshops (45 minutes or more)
Doors will be closed during sessions, but feel free to come and go as you need. There will be volunteers wearing bright colored t-shirts who are there to help open/close doors if you need help.
During WordCamp US, we’ll provide ramps to all stages and work with venue staff to ensure wide aisles in all event areas for our motorized devices or wheelchair users, variable table heights, and priority seating.
Livestream, Wifi, and Charging Stations
WCUS programming, except for presentations in the Annapolis room, will be live-streamed and live-captioned (CART services) on this site and on YouTube. All presentation recordings will be published to WordPress.tv after the event.
Device charging stations will be available around the Gaylord National in designated areas and we will share Wifi information for your use at the venue as well.
Quiet, Listening, and Nursing Rooms
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of WordCamp US, we will have clearly marked quiet spaces available to you in the Baltimore 5 meeting room on the Ballroom level.
Attendees who’d like to watch the presentations in a smaller setting can do so in Baltimore 3 or Baltimore 4, but please be aware you’ll need to come with your own device and headphones. Closer to the event we’ll publish livestream pages which will include the YouTube stream and StreamText live captioning.
Anyone who needs a private space for breastfeeding or pumping, the Baltimore 1 room is available for you.
Lunch Service
During lunch, we’ll provide a variety of meals to meet your special dietary concerns including allergies. Lunches will be served as a buffet, with volunteers available to assist. Coffee will be available during breaks in the day. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
WordCamp US Social
The WordCamp US Social will be at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on Saturday, August 26 from 7:30-10:30 pm. Please note that badges are required in order to enter the social. More details about the WCUS Social event are available in this post.
COVID Policy
We strongly encourage masking in all the indoor session rooms. Masking is an act of community care, as we know that some WordCamp US attendees are at higher risk of complications from COVID. Masks will be available at the registration desks and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the venue. In accordance with CDC, WHO, and local health guidelines, WordCamp US will not require or enforce masking or COVID vaccination.
If you feel unwell or have tested positive for COVID in the past 7 days, please do not attend WordCamp US. Please note that multiple other non-WordPress events will be happening onsite at the venue.
Check out the WordCamp US COVID statement: https://us.wordcamp.org/2023/wordcamp-us-2023-covid-statement
Join WCUS on Slack
Join the WCUS community conversation on Slack! For those already on the Making WordPress Project Slack, the channel name is #wcus. If you’re new, we’ve got instructions on how to join the WordCamp US Slack channel onsite.