Author Archives: Aaron Holbrook

Ticket sales now open!

WordCamp Chicago 2013 is happening at the luxurious University Center Conference Chicago from June 28th, 29th and 30th. We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that tickets are now available and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets are priced at $60 for the entire weekend and $40 for just Saturday and Sunday. The full weekend ticket includes Foundation Friday classes, which is a day of solid groundwork to help you get the most out of the rest of the weekend. NOTE: Each Foundation Friday track lasts all day (8am-5pm), so you only need to register for one!

Saturday and Sunday will be the main event with a whole host of amazing speakers as well as a very cool After Party and a free WordCamp Chicago 2013 T-Shirt!

Schedule

Foundation Friday starts at 8am and goes until 5pm.
Saturday sessions start at 9am and goes until 5pm.
Sunday sessions start at 10am and goes until 4:30pm.

Please do note that tickets are limited and will sell out quickly, so make sure to get your tickets TODAY!

For this type of WordPress learning and conference experience you’d typically have to pay hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars, which is even more of a reason to buy your tickets today before they sell out!

Hope to see you there!

–Aaron Holbrook

Sponsor WordCamp Chicago

Sponsor!

Why sponsor WordCamp Chicago?

By sponsoring WordCamp Chicago, you show your support for the WordPress project, that free open source software that has enriched your life and/or business; you also contribute to the growth of your local WordPress community.

WordCamps are run entirely by volunteers and the only funds available are those from ticket sales and our sponsors. We strive to keep ticket prices low ($40 for a full weekend) to ensure accessibility to freelancers and small business owners with limited funds. However, that introduces a challenge when it comes to having a suitable venue, food & beverages for hundreds, technical capabilities, support services, and top-notch speakers.

WordCamp Chicago Media Kit

That’s where you come in.

Whether you would love to feed us lunch, are willing to perform a service we are in need of, or have a spare $1,000 lying around, we would absolutely appreciate that help.

“But really. What’s in it for my company?”

With all levels of support comes exposure for your company to our attendees, which last year totaled over 350 in Chicago.

The typical WordCamp attendee is between the ages of 25 and 45, makes $45,000 – $125,000 per year, and has a large following on social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. Bloggers make great company ambassadors, and they happen to make up 70% of our attendee list. Make a good impression with our group, and they won’t be shy about painting you in a good light to their followers and friends.

In addition to some good online press about your company, you can also use your support as an opportunity to reach out in person to your potential new customers or clients that are attending our event. Sears Tower, John Hancock, and Aon Center Level Sponsors are granted a table in the lobby area and are well publicized throughout the event.

Your help is tax deductible.

Potential sponsors find it very helpful to know that WordCamp Chicago is officially operated under the WordPress Foundation – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, contributions for sponsorship are a federal tax deduction for your business.

Sponsor!

Tiers & Benefits

Sears Tower Sponsor – $3000

Top billing as a Sears Tower Sponsor gets:

your company thanked (with logo on screen) at the beginning and closing of the sessions in the three main track rooms each day
table space in the lobby for your business to offer swag and answer questions
a blog post on the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website featuring your company
your large logo on attendee badges
your large logo on the sponsor page of the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website
your logo listed in the sidebar on the WordCamp Chicago website
6 tickets to WordCamp Chicago

Sponsor!

John Hancock Building Sponsor – $2000

Billing as a John Hancock Building Sponsor gets:

your company thanked (with logo on screen) at the beginning and closing of the sessions in the three main track rooms each day
table space in the lobby for your business to offer swag and answer questions
a blog post on the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website featuring your company
your medium logo on attendee badges
your medium logo on the sponsor page of the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website
your logo listed in the sidebar on the WordCamp Chicago website
4 tickets to WordCamp Chicago

Sponsor!

Aon Center Sponsor – $1000

Billing as an Aon Center Sponsor gets:

your company’s swag at a shared swag table
your company thanked (with logo on screen) at the beginning and closing of the sessions in the three main track rooms each day
a blog post on the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website featuring your company
your medium logo on attendee badges
your medium logo on the sponsor page of the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website
your logo listed in the sidebar on the WordCamp Chicago website
2 tickets to WordCamp Chicago

Sponsor!

Tribune Tower Sponsor – $500

Billing as a Tribune Tower Sponsor gets:

your small logo on the sponsor page of the WordCamp Chicago 2013 website
your logo listed in the sidebar on the WordCamp Chicago website
2 tickets to WordCamp Chicago

Sponsor!

Have a great idea for a different way to help?

We would love to hear your creative support idea! Coupons, contests, and giveaways are always fun ways to engage with the WordCamp crowd. In-kind donations will be graciously accepted.

All support levels come with good karma.

Sponsor!

Sponsor Requirements

Any event carrying the WordCamp name must follow some basic philosophical guidelines. WordCamps do not discriminate, and anyone is welcome to attend. WordPress is licensed under the General Public License v2, and without the GPL WordPress would not exist. People or companies in violation of the WordPress license cannot be accepted as event organizers or sponsors, as that would provide promotion to entities acting in opposition to the philosophy behind WordPress. Speakers need to be compliant with the license for the same reason — the exception to this rule would be if the non-compliant person is speaking as part of a discussion about the issues around GPL compliance.

Download the WordCamp Chicago 2013 Media Kit

It’s on! WordCamp Chicago 2013 is June 28-30

Hey Chicagoans! I’m very pleased to be able to announce that we selected our venue and have secured our dates for this year’s WordCamp Chicago: June 28th, 29th and 30th at the University Center Conference Chicago.

What is WordCamp?

It’s a low-cost event where WordPress users and enthusiasts gather to learn and share how to get the most out of WordPress and it’s community. WordCamps are renowned to have incredible workshops and speakers, but most importantly, it’s a fun environment to meet others and share knowledge, ideas and experiences with one another.

Why Three Days?

Some other WordCamps have been experimenting with adding on a third “Foundation Friday”, which is held the day before the actual event starts and is perfect for people to come and learn all things WordPress (basically it’s a primer to get your gears rolling before the event starts!). We’ll be shooting to have four different levels ranging from the 100-level super beginner, What is WordPress/How to get started – all the way up to 400-level advanced developer sessions.

Stay tuned and make sure to sign up for updates – we’ll be posting a call for speakers, sponsors and volunteers shortly. Also – you’ll make sure you want to get a ticket early this year, space is limited this year and we WILL sell out!

Cheers!

–Aaron Holbrook

Hello WordCampers!

And welcome to what I hope will be another fantastic WordCamp Chicago!

I’d like to first start off by thanking Heather Acton for an absolutely fantastic WordCamp Chicago 2012. Heather has asked me to take point this year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the opportunity.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the great recap:

For the past couple years we’ve held our WordCamp at DePaul University, but this year we’re looking around to possibly try something new. We’ll be announcing that as we have more details, so stay tuned and make sure to sign up for email updates so you can stay informed!

We are also going to be shooting for either a late June or early July date.

We’ve got some really exciting ideas in mind and we can’t wait to make this year a WordCamp to remember!

Cheers!

–Aaron Holbrook