WordCamp US 2024 was held at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland from September 16th to 20th. The expanded four-day schedule included new presentations and enhanced networking opportunities for attendees.

In this article, we’ll provide a recap of the latest updates from the WordPress open source community, along with key highlights from the speakers and events throughout the week.

Contributor and Showcase Day

As is tradition, WordCamp US 2024 kicked off with Contributor Day, bringing the community together to support the open source project. Attendees had the opportunity to join over 20 different teams, offering their skills and networking with fellow contributors.

Thanks to the efforts of the WCUS 2024 staff and volunteers, new contributors were successfully onboarded to the Make WordPress website and joined the community Slack workspace. Over 400 contributors  gathered at team tables throughout the exhibit hall, where leaders briefed attendees on their chosen projects.

Showcase Day

New to WordCamp US this year, Showcase Day highlighted exceptional uses of WordPress from around the world. Companies like Disney Experiences, Vox Media, and The New York Post shared how they leverage the CMS across 19 different sessions.

While this was the first Showcase Day, it’s likely to become a staple of future events, as suggested in the official WordPress.org recap, potentially extending the duration of WordCamps in the future.

Speakers and Workshops

The second half of the conference shifted focus to education within the .org project. Beginning on Thursday, September 19th, attendees could choose from various sessions across three tracks, with 15-minute breaks between each session.

While Showcase Day highlighted how WordPress is used as a CMS, Thursday and Friday’s keynotes and workshops offered more in-depth learning on specific aspects of the platform. These sessions were perfect for those eager to explore new ways to leverage WordPress technology.

Some of these presentations included:

•  Building WordPress Websites with ‘Privacy by Design’ in Mind by Donata Stroink-Skillrud
• From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: How the New York Post Mastered Scalability by Linnea Huxford
• WordPress Bootcamp for Educators: Turn Your Knowledge into Engaging Courses by Carrie Dils

For a full list of all speakers and workshops offered at WCUS 24, please visit the conference schedule, livestreams of all sessions are also available on the WordPress YouTube channel.

In addition to the sessions, attendees could explore the Sponsor Hall, where over 40 sponsors showcased their latest updates and brand information.

InMotion Hosting was proud to be an Editor-level sponsor at WordCamp US 2024. We enjoyed engaging with the community and sharing our latest WordPress projects, including our Managed WordPress solution.

This year, one of our team members, Derrell Willis, attended WordCamp US for the first time. As the Manager of our Developer Relations team and a valued member of the InMotion Hosting family for over eight years, we were eager to catch up with him afterward to hear his thoughts on the experience.

Attending my first WordCamp US in Portland was an incredible experience! I enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and sense of community among fellow WordPress enthusiasts. The city of Portland was the perfect backdrop for the event. I had great conversations and learned so much, leaving me excited to stay engaged with the community. I can’t wait to attend again next year! – Derrell W

The team also participated in the Networking block at the end of Thursday’s events and after the traditional group photo.

Networking Block

Much like Showcase Day, the Networking Block at the end of day three was a new feature at WordCamp US 2024. This nearly two-hour session gave sponsors the chance to lead discussions that went beyond their products and services.

InMotion Hosting team members shared insights under the theme of “Web Hosting Trade Secrets,” covering topics such as security best practices, website performance and optimization, as well as strategies for marketing and content creation.

The Sponsor Hall also featured the “Campfire,” a cozy lounge space for open discussions, along with several art installations, and a community-engagement paint-by-numbers activity.

Attendees collaborated to paint a vibrant landscape of a jazz band playing in a forest, which was completed just before the conference ended on Friday. This artwork became a fitting symbol of the WordPress community’s collaborative spirit and commitment to growth and innovation.

WordCamp US 2024 Social

Networking extended into post-conference activities, with several side events organized by sponsors and communities within the WordPress ecosystem. 

However, the largest gathering was the official WordCamp US Social, held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Attendees enjoyed access to several museum exhibits, including the Kendall Planetarium and tours of the USS Blueback Submarine.

This unforgettable social event marked the conclusion of WordCamp US 2024, the first-ever four-day conference for the WordPress community.

Final Thoughts

WordCamp US 2024 was a milestone event for several reasons, from the introduction of new events and Showcase Day to the exciting news that it will return to the same venue in Portland next year. 

This year’s conference also underscored the vital role of the WordPress open source community—an ecosystem built on collaboration, passion, and shared dedication to the CMS that drives us all forward.

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