We’ve summed up WordCamp US with these photos from the inaugural event. Held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the heart of Philadelphia, take a look to see just how awesome the conference was this year.
Alex Block and Cami Kaos, two of the event’s organizers, introduce the opening remarks for WordCamp US, giving thanks to sponsors, speakers, and the “bread and butter” of WordCamp — the volunteers.
The WP Engine Booth, prepped and ready for WordCamp US 2015.
Free swag came in abundance at WordCamp US 2015, including stickers, buttons, and more.
Crowds gathered in the hallway of the Pennsylvania Convention Center to visit the variety of sponsor booths.
Stickers galore! Many companies handed out their own sticker creations. To the left: Introducing the WordPress US official mascot – Benpuu, a Benjamin Franklin inspired iteration of the official WordCamp mascot Wapuu. To the right: WP Engine’s official sticker for WordCamp US.
WP Engine’s Senior Director of Marketing Maria Groeschel converses with a WordCamp US attendee.
WordCamp attendees received hands on help at the Happiness Bar, a place for WordCamp volunteers to answer WordPress related questions and offer viable solutions.
“One time I got really into decluttering and I got rid of all my summer clothes. The point was to keep the things I liked and for some reason I lost that idea. We can end up doing that with our websites too if we’re not thinking about the purpose of an element or piece of functionality. We might end up just making things worse,” said Front End Web Designer & Developer Lauren Pittenger during her speech, “The Art of Minimalist Design.”
WP Engine employees Will Ruff and Rachel Graham chat with WordCamp attendees. Hundreds stopped by the WP Engine booth to pick up awesome swag in many forms (including beanies, t-shirts, notebooks, etc.) as well as to gather information about the WP Engine’s managed WordPress hosting platform.
Here's @helenhousandi talking about user intent and software design. #WCUS #team10up pic.twitter.com/4LNLDhGmmX
— !Reindoug Games (@zamoose) December 4, 2015
“A good user experience relies on a user interface that clearly indicates intent,” said 10up’s Helen Hou-Sandi during her presentation, “Intent in Software Design.”
Many attendees filled out a card with their information for their chance to win a drone at the WP Engine booth. The winner, Matthew Denton, was selected the next day.
Packed house in Independence for @rachelbaker's "Build a Theme With the WP REST API" talk. #wcus pic.twitter.com/peG4nIpFtS
— Drew Jaynes (@DrewAPicture) December 4, 2015
“You want to build your business like a reverse mullet – business in the back, party in the front,” said WP REST API Lead Rachel Baker during one of the most anticipated developer speeches at WordCamp US: “Build a Theme with the REST API.”
“When I first saw the code base at the New York Times, what I saw was challenging amounts of what would be called technical debt,” said Scott Taylor during his presentation “REST in Action: The Live Coverage Platform at the New York Times.” Also leading the release of WordPress version 4.4, Taylor was called to stage during the State of the Word Address to discuss its awaited release.
The Friday after party at BRU, hosted by WP Engine, was a huge success and more than 200 WordCamp attendees showed up to enjoy free draft beer and delicious appetizers.
“Don’t feel like you need to come to the table being a developer or designer. Just start by asking a question. I can’t go and technically give back to the community, but I can organize a WordCamp. You don’t have to be the expert; there’s multiple levels. Just start wherever makes you comfortable,” said WordCamp speaker and WP Engine employee Shayda Torabi, who presented on “How Giving Back to WordPress Grows My Network.”
“Amazon.com is the Walgreens of the Internet – because it’s very good at things, but it’s not perfect. It’s Walgreens because it’s quick and easy, has 95 percent of what you want, but it doesn’t have everything. It’s not the best for all markets,” said Patrick Rauland, Product Manager for WooCommerce during his speech, “E-Commerce in 2015.”
Special thank you to whoever made the Mac and Cheese possible for the @WordCampUS lunch. #wcus pic.twitter.com/jfsgda5DSa
— David Bisset (@dimensionmedia) December 5, 2015
What’s for lunch? Mac n’ cheese was served up along with BBQ.
The WP Engine team was in full force this year with over 20 employees in attendance. (Photo © Kari Leigh Marucchi)
Sucuri Security led a #FindTony Apple Watch giveaway where guests were challenged to see if they knew who Tony was and take a selfie with him.
We found Tony! (CEO of Sucuri, Tony Perez)
An attendee plays the virtual piano at the WordCamp Swag Store.
Hiring board at @WordCampUS. So many companies hiring! #wcus pic.twitter.com/AtHwfVJ2qt
— Brad Williams (@williamsba) December 5, 2015
Companies were encouraged to write down their hiring information on this job board.
WordCamp attendees recharge during the afternoon break.
WP Engine founder and CTO Jason Cohen announces the the “Hug A Dev” scholarship winner, Victor Ramayrat.
Dozens gathered around the WP Engine booth during the drone giveaway announcement in hopes they’d be chosen as the sole recipient.
WordCamp attendees eagerly await the announcement. And the winner is…
Maria Groeschel stirs up the stack of entries before selecting the winner.
The winner of the WP Engine Drone Giveaway, Matthew Denton, smiles with his new toy.
The line forming to get into @photomatt's State Of The Word. #WCUS pic.twitter.com/T5frTZmTet
— Torque (@TheTorqueMag) December 5, 2015
WordCamp attendees gather outside the main conference room to await the final speech of WordCamp US — the State of the Word Address.
Philadelphia city councilman David Oh starts off the State of the Word Address by recognizing December 5 as “WordPress Day” in Philadelphia.
The final event at WordCamp US, Matt Wullenweg gives his State of the Word Address.
And that’s a wrap! Did you attend WordCamp US? Let us know what your favorite part was in the comment section below.
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