WordPress events spark innovation and adoption by way of accessible training and networking for users, builders, designers, and extenders. We celebrate community by accelerating 21st-century skills, professional opportunities, and partnerships for WordPressers of today and tomorrow.
– Purpose Statement, WordPress Community Events Program
The WordPress community is buzzing with innovation, and Next Generation WordPress Events are at the heart of it!
The Community team continues to encourage WordPress enthusiasts around the world to organize creative events that align with the above purpose statement. The ‘Next Generation WordPress Events’ project invites you to think beyond the traditional WordCamp format, and consider what sort of unique event – whether in-person or virtual – would meet the needs of your particular community. For inspiration, check out this recent post with ideas for NextGen WordPress events.
With this purpose in mind, we are excited to let you know about three upcoming and two recent NextGen events that are shaping the future of WordPress.
Three upcoming NextGen events
September 29, 2023: WordPress Community Day in Rome, Italy
This one-day event will focus entirely on the activities of the WordPress Community Team, and will provide support and practical tools to people who organize local meetups or WordCamps (or would like to start doing so), or who would like to propose talks, panels and workshops, but do not know how to begin. There will be opportunity to discuss improvements to documentation in Italian to support organizers, and to explore new event formats such hackathons, do_actions, and NextGen events. Participants will share experiences and develop a deeper understanding of which tools and best practices can help build a stronger WordPress community.
September 30, 2023: WordCamp Gdynia
This one-day WordCamp in Gdynia, Poland has a unique focus: ‘Optimization: Work and WordPress’. Speakers will present various approaches to this topic, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, connect with other WordPress enthusiasts, and develop practical knowledge.
October 22, 2023: WordCamp (NextGen Event) Tegal
This one-day “Scale Up” workshop in Tegal, Indonesia will focus on enhancing participants’ WordPress skills for the enterprise world. Approximately 50 local WordPress enthusiasts will gather to learn from four experienced WordPress experts who will serve as mentors and facilitators. By attending this workshop, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to make the most of WordPress for enterprise purposes.
Two Recent NextGen Events
Community Building Workshop in Japan
This monthly Community Building workshop series brings together Japanese contributors to develop community leadership skills. They have held two events so far: at the August workshop, participants shared tips about sustaining a successful WordPress meetup group. At the recent September workshop, participants discussed the GPL (general public license) and trademarks. To cater to the Japanese audience, the team uses two platforms: their Meetup.com page for registration, and the event website for promotion. Here is a recap of the first event, in Japanese.
WordCamp Bengaluru
Held on July 29, 2023, this one-day WordCamp Bengaluru was organized a little differently than a traditional WordCamp.The event’s tracks combined panel discussions, workshops and lightning talks, and the event was infused with traditional local culture. It kicked off with percussion and floral arranging; and instead of an after party, attendees were invited to join a historical walk of Bengaluru. A full recap of the event can be read here.
It’s Your Turn!
Are you inspired to organize a NextGen WordPress event in your community or online? Apply to organize a NextGen event!
Have you attended a NextGen WordPress event, or do you have an idea for a future event? Share your experiences, hopes, ideas, and questions in the comments below!
Thank you to @deadpool76, @devinmaeztri, @kharisblank, @motylanogha, @nukaga and @yoga1103 for contributing to this post!