5 Takeaways from WordCamp Europe 2024 (From a First-Time WordCamp Attendee)

This 12 months’s WordCamp Europe was held in Torino, Italy, the capital metropolis of the Piedmont area in northern Italy. Torino is thought for its wealthy automotive historical past, stunning structure, and, in fact, unbelievable meals.

From June 13-15, 2024, over 2,500 of us from the WordPress group, together with many people from the WordPress.com staff, got here collectively to study, join, and provides again to the WordPress venture that powers over 43% of your complete web.

I joined the WordPress.com staff again in January of this 12 months, so WordCamp Europe 2024 was my first WordCamp expertise. In as we speak’s submit, I assumed it is likely to be attention-grabbing to listen to in regards to the convention from a first-timer, particularly in the event you’re contemplating attending a WordCamp or WordPress meetup sooner or later. 

Listed below are my prime 5 takeaways from my very first WordCamp:

1. In-person connection is highly effective.

In case your typical workday seems to be much like mine––sitting at a desk at your home all day by your self––going to a convention as massive as WordCamp Europe could also be a wee bit out of your consolation zone. It definitely was out of mine.

That stated, I’ve not too long ago discovered myself craving in-person connection after the pandemic and dealing nearly completely from dwelling for over eight years. Not solely did attending this convention simply get me out of my regular routine, it allowed me to attach with of us who love the instrument I’ve used personally and professionally for over a decade: WordPress.

I staffed the WordPress.com sales space, so I had a ton of alternatives to talk with different enterprise house owners, builders, creators, and makers over the course of the convention. I really talked with just a few fellow self-taught girls builders like me, and I walked away feeling impressed, motivated, and simply actually grateful to be part of this group.

However the very best conversations occurred in locations I wouldn’t have anticipated: over spritzes, grabbing a restaurant on the venue, or simply strolling across the metropolis.

Embracing connection was a giant focus of Matt’s closing keynote speech in the course of the occasion, and I couldn’t agree extra. Occasions like WordCamps enable for swapping concepts, collaborating and troubleshooting, and experiencing a way of group that you just simply don’t get whereas sitting behind a pc. 

That stated, if large-scale conferences like a flagship WordCamp simply aren’t for you, attempt testing a native WordPress meetup to attach with different like-minded of us in your group.

2. It takes a ton of individuals to make WordCamps nice.

One of the crucial shifting elements of WordCamp Europe was on the very finish when all the volunteers and organizers had been known as to the stage; it’s really superb simply how many individuals must be concerned to make an occasion like WordCamp really occur.

Screenshot from the WordCamp Europe 2024 livestream on YouTube

Every thing was clean and well-organized, and the volunteers and organizers couldn’t have been extra useful. Their enthusiasm in regards to the occasion, WordPress, and group on the whole all through the convention was infectious.

WordCamps and native WordPress meetups are at all times in search of volunteers; donating your time and experience for occasions and meetups like this are a good way to present again to the WordPress venture and group.

And in the event you’re an organizer of your native WordPress meetup, try this submit for data on how one can get a free WordPress.com web site in your native meetup.

3. Contributor Day isn’t intimidating for a first-timer.

I’ve by no means contributed to WordPress core, but it surely was one among my targets for this 12 months. That’s why I used to be so excited to take part in Contributor Day at WordCamp Europe.

When you’re unfamiliar with Contributor Day, it’s an occasion that often kicks off a WordCamp. Groups give attention to contributing to the WordPress open supply venture, with teams targeted on code, assist, translations, sustainability, inclusion, and extra.

After listening to all the staff shows, I made a decision to affix the Accessibility staff. Accessibility is one thing that has at all times me, but it surely’s additionally one thing I don’t have a ton of expertise with.

That stated, my inexperience wasn’t simply accepted, it was actively welcomed.

As soon as I received to the Accessibility staff desk, I used to be instantly greeted and welcomed. Then I paired with a fellow contributor, Marco Acato from Acato Digital Company, to check the accessibility of a brand new theme for the WordPress theme repository.

I realized a lot, requested a ton of questions, and felt surprisingly achieved after just some hours of testing this theme. We had been really in a position to publish suggestions for the theme developer on the finish of the day as nicely. 

Contributor Day gave me an excellent deeper appreciation for your complete group that helps the WordPress venture each single day. A lot work and energy goes into sustaining and enhancing this instrument that thousands and thousands of internet sites internationally depend on to run their companies, amplify their messages, and keep in contact with others. I felt so grateful to have been part of it throughout Contributor Day and would encourage another first-timers to attend a Contributor Day sooner or later as nicely.

Fortunately, WordPress core is at all times in search of volunteers and contributors; try this information or the brand new Contributor Mentorship Program in the event you’re keen on changing into a contributor your self.

4. Torino was a fantastic host metropolis, and the WordCamp staff made navigating a brand new metropolis simple.

Between attending Contributor Day and periods, to testing sponsor cubicles and attending facet occasions, I didn’t suppose we’d have a ton of time to really see town or Torino.

I really had loads of time to discover with my coworkers, eat pizza each single day, and scope out the very best gelato spots outdoors of convention hours. 

The WordCamp Europe staff did a fantastic job getting ready attendees to benefit from our time within the metropolis as nicely; their journey guides helped me really feel assured navigating town and discovering a number of the meals that come from this space in Italy.

As a first-timer in Torino, I actually appreciated the additional work that the WordCamp staff did to make sure everybody had an opportunity to discover and expertise town.

5. Pizza actually is poetry.

I’d be remiss to not point out the meals that we ate throughout our time in our host metropolis! Whereas we prefer to say that “Code is poetry” round right here, so is pizza. 

Certainly one of my very favourite recollections from the occasion was the branding. The design staff for WordCamp Europe 2024 added delicate nods to our host nation all through the venue, which was extremely intelligent and well-done.

And whereas pizza is certainly poetry, it’s even higher when shared amongst coworkers, associates, and individuals who get enthusiastic about the identical issues that excite you.

Wrapping up

I cherished my time at WordCamp Europe, and I’m already wanting ahead to the subsequent time I can join face-to-face with the WordPress group. 

Have been you at WordCamp Europe this 12 months? Depart a remark along with your favourite reminiscence from the occasion beneath.