The country’s biggest WordCamp is back and bigger than ever! WordPressers from all over the world will descend on National Harbor, Maryland for WordCamp US 2023. You can expect informative talks, interesting networking, and killer after parties.
Since 2015, WCUS has been a staple of the WordPress community providing a place to come to together to celebrate WordPress, meet new people, and catch up with old friends.
This year’s conference will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Contributor Day is on August 24 with the conference occurring August 25 and 26. Organizers are expecting over 1,700 attendees over the three days.
Can’t make it in person? Live stream WCUS for free here, and catch all of the full sessions after the fact on WordPress.TV.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from WordCamp US 2023.
WordCamp US Basics
Every WordCamp is different, so even if this is your first or seventh time, these tips and tricks will help you focus on learning and growing WordPress skillset.
The Venue
The conference will be held in three rooms in the Gaylord Convention Center. Though it will be clearly marked, see the map below to make sure you don’t get lost.
You won’t want to miss the Sponsor Hall where WordPress companies host demos, meet customers, and most importantly, give out SWAG. Make sure you pick up all your stickers, socks, and shirts, and come say hi to the WP Engine team at Booth 301! You’ll score one of WP Engine’s legendary WCUS t-shirts, and you can chat with WordPress experts about the latest in WordPress development, including headless WordPress, Advanced Custom Fields, and WooCommerce.
What to Bring
WordCamps are made up of very rewarding but very long days. You won’t want to miss a minute of programming so it’s important to arrive prepared.
Here’s our WordCamp essentials packing list:
- Comfortable shoes for running between talks easily.
- A water bottle. It is going to be hot and humid, so make sure you’re staying hydrated.
- Phone and computer chargers, or external chargers. There will be charging stations throughout the venue, but those can fill up fast.
- A bag for SWAG. Trust us, you will walk away with more than you intend to.
- Quick and easy snacks. Lunch and light snacks will be provided with your ticket, but you don’t want to have to leave the venue mid-afternoon to grab a bite.
- Optionally, business cards. We know it sounds outdated, but business cards are still the easiest way to quickly give someone your information.
Don’t Miss These Talks
Just like previous years, there will be three tracks of talks from experts all over the world. Whether you’re fitting in a lighting talk or setting aside more time for a workshop, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Make sure you go through the schedule and mark off the talks that you want to attend. Here are some we’re excited about seeing.
Contributor Day
Ahead of the talks is Contributor Day, a day where volunteers get together to contribute back to the WordPress project.
This is a great place for first time contributors to dip their toes into the process. If you are feeling nervous about contributing or just need the dedicated time to do so, sign up for Contributor Day and work among friends.
Day 1- Friday
Day one is chock-full of content! Let’s dive into some talks you can’t miss.
Kicking things off, we’re excited to stop by developer Shambi Broome’s talk, How to Make a Difference in the World. The talk looks at the importance of teaching WordPress to high school students and empowering the next generation of developers to keep WordPress dominant for years to come.
Next up, WordPress Technical Director at AmericanEagle.com, Sean Blakeley, hosts The Headless Block Editor. Dive into how you can make your block editor headless with the “Block Editor Bridge.”
Day 2- Saturday
Saturday is another jam-packed day with talks you won’t want to miss.
WordPress Executive Director, Josepha Haden Chomphosy discusses the Future of WordPress. On the heels of the 20th Anniversary of WordPress, Chomphosy will look at how we can move the CMS forward.
Don’t miss this panel called BlackPress: Amplifying Black Professionals in WordPress. Join panelists Ray Mitchell, Maestro Stevens, Destiny Kanno, and George H. Woodard III as they discuss how to empower Black individuals in WordPress. Learn how and why BlackPress was created, look at ways the community can better support Black individuals, and more.
Finally, end the entire conference with the keynote presented by WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. The talk will go over the benefits of an open source ecosystem and how we can keep it healthy in the future.
What to Do After the Conference
After you have filled your brain, it’s time to fill your heart with sightseeing and after parties with friends.
After Parties
Friday night from 7:00-9:00 pm, WP Engine is hosting a networking event at Topgolf National Harbor. Stop by for food, drinks, and a unique golf experience as well as the opportunity to expand your WordPress Rolodex. Don’t forget to RSVP here.
Saturday night, from 7:30-10:30 pm, head over to The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for the official WCUS after party. Make sure you bring your badge to enter and enjoy the exhibits.
Sight-Seeing
You came all this way, you might as well see some sights! Just minutes from the hotel is the Capital Wheel, a massive ferris wheel that offers incredible views of the harbor.
Being only minutes away from Washington D.C. gives you access to US monuments such as The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, The White House, and more. Beat the heat with thousands of free museums, or take a walking tour of the National Mall.
See You There!
Doc Pop and Emily Schiola will be on site live-tweeting, conducting interviews, and meeting new people. We can’t wait to see all of you in person again!
