Many of us in DC are excited about the national WordPress conference (WCUS2023) starting here tomorrow, August 24 through 26. For those of you who are new to WordCamps, or who may be traveling in from out of town, here are a few tips that might be helpful. Over the years I have learned a lot in attending regional WordCamps in the DC area, plus national events in Philadelphia and St. Louis. My thanks also to Tiffany Bridge and her WordPress DC Meetup discussion yesterday (“August Bonus Edition: Gearing up for WordCamp US!”) for sparking some additional ideas for this weeks DC event.
WordCamp’s Value?
This WordCamp is a special opportunity to meet WordPress developers, designers and users from around the world. It has a unique format: part trade fair (see exhibiting Sponsors), part conference (scan the Agenda), and lots of informal networking over coffee, lunch, and at the Social on the last evening. You can learn from a variety of WP experts, although my understanding is that, unlike smaller WordCamps, there appears not to be a “Happiness Bar”, or a Help Desk panel to answer User WP questions. There is also a “Contributors Day” tomorrow, the first day of the event, where volunteers from a variety of technical and non-tech backgrounds gather to contribute to the WordPress open source project.
Agenda
Check out the Agenda (or Schedule) and Speakers and choose those topics of most interest. Of particular note are the opening plenary session on the NASA Web Modernization and WordPress, and the AI Workshop on “Make it Real: Use AI to Successfully Deliver an Authentic Content Creative Process” by Femi Lewis Friday at 10:00 AM. Other talks range from the technical to more design or end user interest, addressing such areas as enterprise multi-sites, theme and plugin development, accessibility, and WP community-building and education. Beginning Friday at 3:45 PM take in a variety of topics through 15 minute Lighting sessions. And the conference will close Saturday at 4:30 PM with WP co-founder Matt Mullenweg’s look ahead for WP in his session entitled “Gutenberg: Next”.
Logistical Tips
National Harbor is located in MD outside of Washington DC and all the museums on the Mall, so plan on extra time to get from the conference venue to the Social at the Museum of Natural History. While the WordCamp site lists a variety of restaurants and entertainment at National Harbor, Old Town Alexandria is just across the Potomac River and has lot of attractions, walkable parks, and places to eat. To get there, either take the ferry (Water Taxi) which docks near the small park and plaza with the embedded Giant statue, or catch a nearby National Harbor bus to Old Town. My favorite is the Potomac Water Taxi, which is about a 30 min ride and costs (round trip) around $37. Toward DC, some closer in, redeveloped areas along the DC shore of the Potomac with good restaurants and entertainment include The Wharf, and the Navy Yard. Both are readily accessed by the DC Metro from downtown – but, alas, the Metro does not have a station at National Harbor, although there is a Metro Stop in Virginia (“King Street”) accessible by a short free trolley ride from the Old Town riverfront.
Things to Bring
Here is a list of handy things to bring with you the first day of WordCamp:
- a notebook – I admit I still take notes “analogue style”!
- a laptop, esp if you plan to attend workshops
- a tote bag for SWAG (although lots of bags likely given away at the Sponsor Exhibits)
- a stock of business cards and maybe other info on your business/organization
- while the weather will be warm (from 70-90 degrees), it looks like some rain expected Thursday and Friday, so perhaps take a cap, light jacket or umbrella.
- an optional facemask, given COVID, which I plan to wear – but this is entirely up to you!
Hope many of you are able to attend, enjoy (and report on your experience!) at WordCampUS 2023!
If any further questions, feel free to comment to me below, or email gary@dcwebrevolution.com, or text my cell at 703-899-9940… or even look for me at the event – I plan to attend all day Friday and Saturday!
DC Web Revolution 