WordCamp Phoenix 2024 was a blast! I really like the WordPress Group in Phoenix, they’re very heat and welcoming and I really feel fortunate to have the ability to attend yearly.
Arriving for WordCamp Phoenix 2024
My brief flight from LA was delayed by one hour resulting from a floor cease in Phoenix because it was raining fairly a bit over there. That didn’t cease me from being excited and pleased to be on my solution to the camp.
As I used to be checking within the resort, I bumped into Marcus Burnette from GoDaddy, who was additionally staying on the identical resort. I had not seen Marcus since WordCamp Atlanta final yr, so it was good to shortly catch up.
After I used to be settled in my resort room, I went all the way down to the foyer to fulfill up with my staff, Ericka Barboza and Marco Berrocal. By then, it was already time to move over to Arizona Wildness Brewing Co. the place the speaker-sponsor dinner was being held.
Marcus was within the foyer with Courtney Robertson additionally from GoDaddy. I had by no means met Courtney in individual, however we knew one another from the neighborhood’s social media, so we have been formally launched.
Since Marcus and Courtney have been additionally headed to the speaker-sponsor dinner, they supplied to share a journey with us.
Speaker-Sponsor Dinner
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. is positioned in Downtown Phoenix, in a really occurring space of the town, stuffed with eating places, bars, and nightlife.
As a result of it was a chilly evening in Phoenix (which is uncommon for this time of the yr), the dinner was held within the indoor space. After we walked in, the WordCampers have been already there having drinks and consuming scrumptious tacos.
All of us joined in and had nice conversations with many individuals, together with Perri Collins, who was going to talk on the final day a few social media matter.
After we had been having fun with drinks and tacos, Raquel Manriquez, the WordCamp Phoenix 2024 Lead Organizer, went round all of the tables and gave some thank-you presents (cute portray units) to every speaker.
I noticed Matthew Clancy, who was the Lead Organizer final yr and we acquired caught up as properly. Everybody on this neighborhood is so superior!
First Day of Camp
WordCamp Phoenix 2024 was held on the Phoenix School which is likely one of the oldest neighborhood schools within the nation.
Ericka, Marco, and I walked in and acquired our registration badges. The very first thing we did was to go thank the volunteers for all of the work they do at these camps.
After establishing the sales space, we began speaking to folks and giving out swag. Let the enjoyable start!
I went across the sponsor tables to say hello to the opposite sponsors whom I had recognized for some time. That included Chad Beatty with Rocket.web, Chris David Miles with Bluehost, Jen Swisher with Jetpack, and lots of others.
I additionally met a brand new sponsor I had not seen at different camps, CommercialNoise, led by Bruce Holland. We had a pleasant dialog about their internet hosting providers and what they’re all about.
On Day One, I used to be in a position to attend a number of shows, beginning with “The 2024 Distant Work Survival Information” by Kathy Zant. I’ve recognized Kathy since 2019 and it was such a pleasure to take heed to her presentation.
Based on Kathy, it seems like though some main firms are transferring workers again to places of work, distant work is just not going away. It is a good factor for many individuals, particularly on this neighborhood.
One other attention-grabbing presentation I used to be in a position to attend was “AI Crash Course for WordPress Customers” by Keanan Koppenhaver. I really like that he saved saying that AI instruments will nonetheless require human involvement.
After Keanan, Robbie Adair talked about “Utilizing AI To Pace Up your WordPress Builds”. Appears like AI is of giant curiosity within the WordPress neighborhood.
Lunchtime
At lunchtime, we loved scrumptious taco bowls within the outside space of the school and I had an opportunity to get caught up with Kathy Zant on her new place with Motivations AI. She spoke of how pleased she is to work with nice folks akin to Chris Lema and Jennifer Bourn whom I’ve recognized for some time.
After Day One of many camp was over, Ericka, Marco, and I made a decision to have a relaxed and scrumptious dinner at The Compass which is a widely known revolving restaurant positioned on the very prime ground of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.
As all the time, the meals was scrumptious as was the wine, and the views of Downtown Phoenix have been superior. It was nice to have the ability to share a particular dinner and personal time with my staff.
I reminded them once more how essential they have been to me and that I couldn’t presumably do my job with out them.
Day Two of Camp
On Day Two of Camp, I additionally was in a position to attend a number of shows.
I watched Alicia St Rose speaking in regards to the “The Story of a Customized Submit Kind Misplaced in a Phrase of Pages” and Chris David Miles about “Understanding Your Buyer Utilizing Personas and Empathy Maps”.
I then listed to the hearth chat of Raquel with Jenny Poon and Odeen Domingo, who based the most important coworking neighborhood in Arizona, CO+HOOTS in downtown Phoenix.
Later, I bumped into Jen Miller whom I had not seen shortly and simply began a place with WebDevStudios. It was good to meet up with Jen.
I additionally met up with Wager Hannon with AccessiCart and we talked a few potential partnership with GreenGeeks.
All of the shows have been actually attention-grabbing however swiftly it was already time for closing remarks! Raquel thanked everybody, particularly the sponsors and the volunteers who’re an integral a part of the camps they usually really deserved our appreciation.
Marcus Burnette did a giveaway on behalf of GoDaddy for a Nintendo sport and the fortunate winner was Perri Collins who had simply given the final presentation of the day about Social Media.
The After Social gathering
The After Social gathering was additionally held at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. within the outside heated coated patio of this European-style beer backyard. It was a really chilly however clear night, however the patio heaters and firepit actually helped.
We sat and had drinks with the A2 Internet hosting Crew after which we had an incredible dialog about WordCamps with Julia Golomb, a Group Crew Organizer who lives in Northern California however travels around the globe for camps.
We talked to lots of people that evening, Sadly, it was getting late and we needed to head again to the resort and get some relaxation. It had been two lengthy and busy days and Ericka and Marco have been going to have a protracted journey again to Costa Rica the subsequent day.
The following morning, Ericka, Marco, and I met within the foyer for breakfast and for goodbyes.
However wait, it’s not goodbye, it’s goodbye as I’m positive we’ll meet once more at WCUS in Portland in September!
One other WordCamp Phoenix Is within the Books!
An enormous thanks to the organizers, audio system, sponsors, volunteers, and naturally, the Phoenix WordPress neighborhood. We love them.
Till subsequent yr!