WordCamp 101
Your first WordCamp?
Start here.
How the day runs, the words people throw around, and how to start talking to people you don't know yet.
What is a WordCamp?
A WordCamp is a conference about WordPress, the free software that runs a large part of the web. Each one is organized by local volunteers from the WordPress community, and there are WordCamps in cities all over the world.
It's for everyone who uses WordPress or is curious about it: bloggers, small-business owners, designers, developers, marketers, students and writers. You don't need to be an expert, and nobody will quiz you.
Sponsors pay for much of it, so tickets stay cheap. Speakers and organizers are volunteers, not paid staff, which is a big part of why people are so easy to talk to.
How the day usually goes
Every WordCamp is a little different, but most follow this shape.
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Registration & badge
Show your ticket at the front desk and pick up your name badge. There is often a lanyard and some swag (free stickers, T-shirts and the like) too.
Tip: Get there 15 to 20 minutes early. The queue is short, and people standing around with a coffee are easy to talk to.
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Opening remarks
The organizers welcome everyone and share housekeeping: where the rooms are, where lunch is, and who to ask for help.
Tip: Try not to miss it. This is where you hear the wifi password, the hashtag and any changes to the schedule.
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Keynote
A talk for everyone at once, in the biggest room, usually by a well-known community member.
Tip: The whole event is in one room, so it's a nice moment to sit next to someone new.
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Sessions in tracks
Talks and workshops run at the same time in different rooms. Each room is called a "track", and you pick which one to go to.
Tip: Look for sessions marked beginner-friendly. If a talk isn't for you, it's fine to walk out and try another room.
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Breaks (the "hallway track")
Short breaks between sessions. Ask a regular and they'll often say the hallway chats are the best part of the day.
Tip: Walk up to a small group and ask "Which session have you liked most so far?" People are happy to answer.
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Lunch
Lunch is usually part of your ticket, and you can sit anywhere.
Tip: Pick a table with people you don't know and ask "Mind if I join you?" People are usually happy to make room.
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Sponsor booths
Sponsors are the companies that pay for a big part of the event, which is why tickets are cheap. Their booths are open all day.
Tip: You don't have to buy anything. Just ask what they make. Many have swag, a contest or open jobs.
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Lightning talks
A run of very short talks (often five minutes each), frequently by first-time speakers.
Tip: You hear a lot of ideas in a short time, and you find out who you want to talk to afterwards.
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Closing & group photo
Thank-yous to volunteers, organizers and sponsors, then everyone squeezes into one big photo.
Tip: Stay for the photo. It's a WordCamp tradition and it's nice to be in it.
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After-party / social
An informal evening get-together for attendees, speakers and organizers.
Tip: Keep your badge on. Speakers have more time to chat here than right after their talk.
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Contributor Day
Usually a separate day where attendees work on WordPress itself: code, docs, translation, design, support, marketing and more.
Tip: No coding needed. Many events ask you to register for it separately, and to bring a laptop.
Words you'll hear
Tap a word to see what it means.
WordCamp
A conference about WordPress, organized by local volunteers from the WordPress community. There are WordCamps all over the world.
Track
A room (or theme) where sessions run one after another. Several tracks run at the same time, so you pick one per time slot.
Session / talk
A presentation by a speaker, usually 20–45 minutes, often followed by questions.
Workshop
A hands-on session where you follow along, often on your own laptop.
Keynote
The main talk that everyone attends together, usually at the start or end of the day.
Lightning talk
A very short talk, typically five minutes, delivered back-to-back with others.
Hallway track
The conversations outside the session rooms. It isn't on the schedule, but plenty of people come for it.
Swag
Free goodies: stickers, T-shirts, pins and more, from the event and its sponsors.
Sponsor
A company that helps fund the event so tickets stay affordable. Sponsors usually have booths you can visit.
Organizers & volunteers
The community members who run the event, without pay. If you need help, look for their T-shirts or badges.
Contributor Day
A day of helping improve WordPress with the "Make WordPress" teams. Beginners are welcome at every table.
Make teams
The groups that build WordPress: Core, Design, Docs, Polyglots (translation), Support, Training, Marketing, Accessibility and more.
WordPress.org account
A free account on WordPress.org. You need one to contribute, so make it before Contributor Day.
Make WordPress Slack
The chat workspace where the contributor teams talk. Joining is free, via make.wordpress.org/chat.
Core
The WordPress software itself, as opposed to plugins and themes built on top of it.
Block editor (Gutenberg)
The editor you use to build pages and posts out of "blocks". Gutenberg is the name of the project behind it.
Meetup
A smaller, regular local WordPress gathering. Great for staying in touch with people you meet at WordCamp.
Wapuu
The WordPress mascot. Many WordCamps draw their own version, so look for it on stickers and swag.
Code of Conduct
The rules everyone agrees to so the event is safe and welcoming. If something feels wrong, tell an organizer.
WordPress.tv
Where many WordCamp talks are published after the event, so you can catch sessions you missed.
Tips from WordCamp regulars
Everyone was new once
At most WordCamps a big share of the room is new too. "It's my first WordCamp" is a perfectly good opening line, and people will help you out.
Have a 15-second intro ready
Your name, what you do with WordPress (or want to do), and one thing you want to learn today.
Use the "law of two feet"
If a session isn't right for you, leave quietly and find one that is. It's completely normal.
Don't try to see everything
Save three or four sessions you really want, and leave room for conversations. Most talks go online later on WordPress.tv.
Ask questions
During Q&A or after the talk. Speakers are community members like you, and most are glad someone wants to know more.
Look after yourself
Bring water and a charger, take breaks, and step out when you need a quiet moment. It's a long, busy day.
Keep in touch
Swap Camp Cards or LinkedIn with people you click with, and look up your local WordPress meetup to see them again.
For college students
For the price of a ticket you get a day of practical talks, a chance to work on real open-source code, and a room full of people who hire.
Ask about student tickets
WordCamp tickets are cheap, and many events have a student price or free volunteer spots. Check the event's Tickets page, or email the organizers and ask.
Learn what the industry actually uses
Talks come from people who build sites, plugins and businesses for a living. Look for "Beginner friendly" sessions in My Day. If some of it goes over your head, take one idea home and try it.
Get real open-source experience
At Contributor Day you work on WordPress itself: code, design, docs, translation, testing. Your contributions show on your WordPress.org profile, which you can link from your CV and LinkedIn.
Meet people who hire
Sponsors and agencies are often looking for interns and juniors. At their booth, ask: "What do you look for in someone just starting out?" Then show your Camp Card so they can find you later.
Volunteer next time
WordCamps are run by volunteers. Helping at the registration desk or in a session room is the quickest way to get to know the organizers, and it goes on your CV too.
Keep learning after
Learn WordPress (learn.wordpress.org) has free courses and online workshops, and your local WordPress Meetup is where you'll see today's people again.
Your 15-second intro
"Hi, I'm Priya. I study computer science at … and I'm just getting into WordPress. What are you working on?"
What to bring
- Your ticket (the QR code on your phone is usually enough)
- Phone, charger and a power bank
- A laptop and charger, if you're doing a workshop or Contributor Day
- A refillable water bottle
- Comfortable shoes (you walk between rooms a lot)
- A light jacket or sweater, because session rooms can be cold
- Your Camp Card instead of business cards
Questions newcomers ask
I'm a student with no WordPress experience. Will I fit in?
Yes. Plenty of attendees are students or changing careers, and speakers like questions from newcomers. Start with "Beginner friendly" sessions, and read "For students" above.
Do I need to be a developer?
Not at all. WordCamps are for bloggers, business owners, designers, marketers, students, writers and anyone curious about WordPress. Most schedules include beginner-friendly sessions.
Is it OK to leave a session halfway?
Yes. Slip out quietly, and sit near the aisle if you think you might. People switch rooms all the time at WordCamp.
What should I wear?
Whatever you're comfortable in. WordCamps are very casual.
Is food included?
Usually lunch, snacks and drinks are included in the ticket. Check Explore → Event Info or ask at registration.
I'm shy. How do I meet people?
Open the Quest tab. It has small tasks like "Say hello to another first-timer". Lunch tables, coffee breaks and the sponsor area are the easiest places to start talking.
Do I need to sign up for Contributor Day separately?
Often, yes. It can have its own registration and a limited number of seats. Check the event's website or Explore → Event Info.
Will the talks be recorded?
Many are, and are published on WordPress.tv a few weeks later. Don't count on every one, though.
Who do I ask for help at the venue?
Look for volunteers and organizers (they usually wear special T-shirts or badges), or go to the registration desk. If anything makes you feel unsafe, tell an organizer. That is what the Code of Conduct is for.