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

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