A WordCamp is an event dedicated to WordPress, organized by the local community of users, like you and me.
The first WordCamp was held in San Francisco in 2006, and since then hundreds of others have been held in many countries around the globe. The WordPress Foundation and WordCamp Central publish guidelines that every organizer must follow and adhere to in order to use the term WordCamp.
What, Exactly, is WordCamp?
WordCamp is one of the biggest communities when it comes to content management systems. As WordPress is used by approximately one-third of all websites on the Internet, it’s a way that many developers get together to discuss updates, changes, ideas, and network together.
What to expect from a WordCamp ?
There are a lot of WordCamps – in fact, more are popping up all the time. Each one is a little different, depending on its location, organizers, budget, and attendee rate. There are large, elaborate events like WordCamp US and WordCamp Europe, as well as smaller, more modest gatherings. However, most WordCamps do have some things in common.
In general, a WordCamp will last from one to three days. You’ll have to purchase a ticket, although the rates are kept as reasonable as possible (the ticket prices are capped at a maximum of $25 per day).
How to prepare for your first WordCamp ?
Attending a WordCamp is a pretty simple matter. You buy a ticket, show up, and participate in whatever you’d like. However, you can get more mileage out of your first WordCamp if you do a little preparation ahead of time.
Some of this involves the obvious basics, such as finding a place to stay if the event lasts more than one day. However, you’ll also want to:
Check out the schedule as soon as it’s available. This enables you to plan out what events you’d like to attend. You can still be flexible during the WordCamp itself, of course, but this way you won’t miss anything you’re interested in.
Bring along a few essentials. This should include your laptop and whatever other devices you might need. Paper and pens will also come in handy for taking notes during presentations. Finally, if you’re a freelancer or business owner, don’t forget a generous stack of business cards for the networking events.
Reach out to your existing contacts. If you work with other WordPress developers, website owners, or businesses, you may want to reach out and see if they’ll be attending the WordCamp as well. This is particularly pertinent if you know they’re located nearby. WordCamps are a great chance to meet up with people you’ve only ever communicated with online.
Conclusion
If you want to learn more about WordPress or get involved in its community, attending a WordCamp is a great idea. These events are the perfect place for educational experiences, making new connections, and getting some practical advice.
Fortunately, there are a lot of WordCamps happening every year, from big events like WordCamp Europe to smaller local affairs. You can find information about each one on the dedicated website, and even get notifications in your WordPress dashboard. If you bring along a few basic supplies and an open mind, you’re sure to get a lot out of the experience.
