Last week, I was excited to join 1,000+ other attendees in Portland, Oregon, for WordCamp US. This is the largest event in the US for the WordPress community to contribute to, showcase, share knowledge on, and learn everything WordPress.
I've been lucky enough to attend, volunteer at, and speak at several WordCamps. I usually jump at the chance to attend and spend time with the WordPress community. But if you haven't been, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. So I've put together 5 of my personal highlights from WordCamp US 2025.
Were you there? Please share your own experiences in the comments!
1. The diverse program offered learning and connection
WordCamp US spanned four days from August 26-29: contributor day, showcase day, and two presentation days.
On contributor day, nearly 300 community members across 19 teams spent the day contributing to the open source WordPress project. Anyone could walk up to these teams at their tables, sit down, and contribute.
Showcase day highlighted real-world examples of how WordPress is used, from the people behind them. There were plenty of talks, panels, and several in-depth workshops to get attendees energized about the possibilities of WordPress.
Then, it was time for the two presentation days. These featured keynote speakers, and three tracks of talks and panels from folks around the WordPress community. Topics ranged from using AI to code plugins and in neuroscience research, to design systems, data visualization, and accessibility.
On August 28, I spoke about Putting Creativity to Work. In my talk, I nerded out about P2 (the system of WordPress.com blogs we use to communicate internally here at Automattic), and I even gave away copies of my P2 comic in zine form.
This was my fourth time speaking at a WordCamp, and it reminded me of the incredible power of sharing your ideas at an event like this. Even though I had plenty of nerves (and imposter syndrome) for the days leading up to my talk, the many wonderful interactions I had afterwards reminded me that all the effort was worthwhile.
2. There was cool swag and great conversation in the sponsor hall
I overheard one attendee say "There are so many great talks, but I'm here for the hallway track." It's true that a huge benefit of WordCamp US is that so many interesting people are gathered in the same physical space. Why not take advantage of that, by introducing yourself and having impromptu conversations?
The sponsor hall had many areas for these spontaneous connections. Cozy sitting areas, lawn games, a photo booth with props, skeeball and pinball games, displays of art from the WordPress photo directory, and even a live mural artist made for an energetic and inspiring space. Also featured in the space was a happiness bar, career corner, and creator studio, where attendees could troubleshoot WordPress issues, learn about available jobs in the ecosystem, and access a recording studio for creating content.
Another highlight of every WordCamp is swag. Every sponsor booth had some kind of gift to give away, from stickers to food items, water bottles to tote bags. One standout was a poster, designed by Blue Ivory Creative, that was intricately illustrated with all kinds of WordPress and WordCamp imagery. There was even a claw machine filled with stuffed Wapuu toys. This was the only claw machine I've seen that actually wants you to win a prize!
Not to mention eating! With Portland being a famously foodie town, WordCamp organizers ensured attendees had access to its best-known treats. From a Voodoo Doughnuts truck in the sponsor hall to s'mores at the after party, I was never hungry.
I staffed the WordPress.com booth, which featured a prize wheel that made a very satisfying clicking noise when spun. This made for some great conversations about our powerful hosting for developers. I was proud to stand alongside other Automattic brands (WooCommerce, Jetpack, Gravatar, WordPress VIP, Pressable) to talk about the value we offer across the entire WordPress ecosystem.
3. Portland is a vibrant and interesting location to explore
WordCamp US attendees were not only lucky enough to participate in all the fun of the event, but in our downtime I could also enjoy other delights of the city — like Powell's Books, Forest Park, the Nike company store, and multiple vibrant neighbourhoods with hip bar and food scenes.
All these attractions were easy to get to on Portland's public transit system. With a station right between the convention center and hotel, the MAX light rail made it super easy to get around. At registration, WordCamp US attendees were given a free pass for the duration of the conference, and I enjoyed taking it downtown, to the closing party, and to the airport.
4. The WordPress community is warm and welcoming, even for newbies
Although I am now familiar with many folks in the WordPress community, I still remember walking into my first WordCamp without knowing anyone. That's always a daunting experience, no matter which space you're entering. But at a WordCamp, you can expect lots of friendly faces, and people always willing to help you or engage in conversation. It's a very inclusive space — all are welcome, from beginners to seasoned pros.
One personal highlight — I was invited to the Creator's Studio to chat with Michelle Frechette and Darian Lusk, and ended up going live on TikTok with their guests Christian Taylor and Michael Cunningham. You just never know what's going to happen!
5. The future of WordPress is bright
Overall, WordCamp US showed me that there is no slowing down in the ecosystem of the world's most popular content management system. This is a vibrant and productive community, with a diverse range of talented people helping each other, sharing knowledge, and moving the software further.
In WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg's closing address, he highlighted the momentum and growth of WordPress, what's shipping next (block-level commenting is so exciting!), and how AI will shape the project in the future.
I hope you can join us for one or more flagship WordCamps happening in 2026: WordCamp Asia in Mumbai, WordCamp US in Phoenix, or WordCamp EU in Krakow. Also, look out for local WordCamps near you.
See you there!
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