Category Archives: Announcement

Apply to Speak at WordCamp Chicago 2013

Has it been a lifelong dream of yours to speak in front of a crowd of happy and knowledge-hungry geeks? If so, have we got the opportunity for you!

Yes, the WordCamp Chicago 2013 Call for Speakers is live and waiting for your application!

Apply to Speak

Please note that we are also asking speakers to plan to help at our Foundation Friday event and at the Happiness Bar for at least an hour each. This is not a requirement, but given how awesome our speakers tend to be we’d love to have you available for additional collaboration opportunities.

We are planning on having three tracks this year: one based on Development, one based on Design and Community, and one based on Business Development!

To give you an idea of the types of talks we are looking for, here are some examples of topics that would be a great fit. This is by no means a limiting factor, so if you have a great talk that doesn’t fit these suggestions, please submit anyway!

DEVELOPMENT: The structure behind WordPress!
Plugins, Cool Custom work, Documentation, Best Practices, Contributing to WordPress, Workflow and Tools, Version Control, etc.

DESIGN: Focusing on the visual language behind successful WordPress sites (and the web in general).
Graphic Design, Usability, User Experience, Front-End Development, Best Practices, HTML5/CSS3, Responsive/Adaptive, Building Themes, etc.

COMMUNITY: Interesting use cases for WordPress, including niche markets or finding creative solutions for managing complex data.
BuddyPress/bbPress, Real Estate, News, Education, Non-Profits/Charities, Large/Complex sites, Multisite, etc.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Focusing on a couple different topics.
WordPress tools for business: SEO, Lead Generation, Analytics, Ecommerce, Marketing, Social Media, etc.
Business tools for WordPress users: Running a WordPress business, Working with virtual teams, Pricing and invoicing, Selling WordPress products/licensing, Getting new business, Lessons learned, Etc.

FOUNDATION FRIDAY TOPICS:
WordPress 101 – Beginning WordPress Users
WordPress 201 – Intermediate WordPress Users
WordPress 301 – Intro To WordPress Development/Design
WordPress 401 – Advanced WordPress Development

Thank you!
Heather

Apply to Speak

Application Deadline: May 3, 2013

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!

Sign up to receive updates!

Cheers!

–Aaron Holbrook