Author: Becky Davis

We were so very excited to see all of you sign up for WordCamp Chicago and we are very disappointed to have to postpone this event.

Due to increased concerns over large gatherings, mounting company policies suspending employee travel, and the recommendations of the CDC regarding COVID-19 in the US, we are canceling WordCamp Chicago originally planned for May 2-3, 2020. 

The decision to cancel the Camp was not made lightly.  In the end, the health and safety of the community was paramount in our decision. We hope you understand that the organizing team believes this is the right decision to ensure the safety of all WordCamp attendees. 

We know many of you have already booked travel and made plans with friends and colleagues. Below is information to help you navigate the situation:

WORDCAMP TICKETS

All paid WordCamp Chicago tickets will be refunded. We are working with WordCamp Central to make this happen and will be in touch with all ticket holders.

HOTEL AND AIR

Please cancel your hotel and air bookings if they are fully refundable.

SPONSORS

We thank the sponsors for supporting us through this difficult period. We’ll be contacting the sponsors directly with details on how we’ll be handling the sponsorship funds.

OUR COMMUNITY

We want to thank our speakers, volunteers, sponsors, and fellow organizers for all the hard work, long hours, and unwavering support over the past months.  Our community would not be the supportive and engaging place it is without you! While we will not see the fruits of our labor this time, we have created a fertile ground for the next WordCamp Chicago.

As much as we wanted to have a big conference this year, don’t forget that the WordPress community in Chicago is very active and there are meetups every month. Check out the following links for more information.

https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-WordPress-Meetup/

https://www.meetup.com/WordPress-Naperville/

https://www.meetup.com/barrington-wordpress-meetup-group/

We don’t have any specific dates/plans for the next WordCamp Chicago at the moment, but we are hoping to hold it in Spring 2021. We will make announcements as soon as possible. Be sure to follow our social profiles @wordcampchicago on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for future updates.

We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this unpredictable time.

Sincerely,

WordCamp Chicago Organizers

Our Call for speakers is now closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied. We’ll be reviewing the submissions throughout February and announcing the schedule in the first couple weeks of March once we hear back from all our selected speakers. Hope to see you in May!

SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION FORM BELOW

As a sponsor of WordCamp Chicago 2020, you support the WordPress project and contribute to the growth of our local WordPress community. In return, you experience unique visibility and access to a diverse group of 400+ attendees.

Centrally located and the 3rd largest city in the country, WordCamp Chicago one of the largest locally organized WordCamp in the country. Accessible by two international airports, rail and other convenient connections, getting to WordCamp Chicago is fast and efficient.

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Available Sponsorship Packages

Gold sponsors are tremendous supporters of WordCamp Chicago. Gold Sponsors have a significant presence in the event lobby and are prominently featured on the official WordCamp Chicago website. Here are some details on how Gold sponsors receive recognition:

• Prominent, largest logo and link on official WordCamp Chicago website.
• Exclusive post on the official WordCamp Chicago website that features your organization.
• Thank you announcement on the official WordCamp Chicago Facebook and Twitter accounts.
• Largest logo on the “thank you sponsors” signage in the event lobby.
• Table with prime placement in the event lobby for two days of conversing with attendees, recruiting, and meeting and greeting.
• Option to do one camp-wide giveaway on Sunday.
• Acknowledgment and thanks in Saturday’s Opening Remarks.
• Up to 6 WordCamp Chicago tickets reserved exclusively for your company’s representatives, including volunteer/speaker event.

Silver sponsors are valued supporters of WordCamp Chicago. Silver sponsors will have table space in the sponsor area and on the official WordCamp Chicago website, as described below:

• Prominent, medium logo and link on official WordCamp Chicago website.
• Post on official WordCamp Chicago website that features all the Silver sponsors.
• Thank you announcement from the official WordCamp Chicago Facebook and Twitter account recognizing all the Silver sponsors.
• Medium logo on the “thank you sponsors” signage in the event lobby.
• Table in the event lobby for two days of conversing with attendees, recruiting, and meeting and greeting.
• Up to 3 WordCamp Chicago tickets reserved exclusively for your company’s representatives, including volunteer/speaker event.

Bronze sponsors will have shared space on the swag table and on the WordCamp Chicago website, as described below:

• Prominent, small logo and link on official WordCamp Chicago website.
• Post on official WordCamp Chicago website that features all the Bronze sponsors.
• Thank you announcement on the official WordCamp Chicago Facebook and Twitter account recognizing all the Bronze sponsors.
• Placement of swag in defined space at a shared swag table.
• Up to 2 WordCamp Chicago tickets reserved exclusively for your company’s representatives.

Small Business – $300

This sponsorship is limited to the first 20. Small Business sponsors will have shared space on the swag table and on the WordCamp Chicago website, as described below:

• Link on WordCamp Chicago Website
• Thank you announcement on the official WordCamp Chicago Twitter account recognizing all the Small Business sponsors.
• Placement of swag in defined space at a shared swag table.
• Up to 2 WordCamp Chicago tickets reserved exclusively for your company’s representatives.

Supporter – $100

In addition to more traditional sponsorships, we offer $100 Supporter level micro-sponsorships, that include admission for one person. These micro-sponsorships are intended for freelancers, tiny but mighty companies, or WordPress fans who wish to give a little more than the cost of general admission. There is no application needed for this, just purchase the Supporter ticket when the general admission tickets become available in January.

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Important Notes:

• If your brand represents a software product, it must be GPL friendly. If you or your company deals with WordPress-derivative works (plugins, themes, etc), those must be 100% GPL (not split license) or compatible, the same guidelines followed on WordPress.org. Sponsors may apply but will not be guaranteed speaking spots. Funds must be received before sponsorships are announced.

• Please read the WordCamp Code of Conduct. When you apply to become a Sponsor you are agreeing to abide by these guidelines.

• The allotted number of tickets for each package level are reserved for representatives attending the event and are not to be raffled off or otherwise given away. Reserved tickets will return to the general ticket pool if they are not claimed 30-days before WordCamp.

• If your company is interested in sponsoring WordCamp Chicago 2020 please complete the form below for consideration. A member of our team will contact you.

Apply to be a Sponsor at WordCamp Chicago 2020

Thank you for supporting WordPress, WordCamp Chicago, and the Chicago WordPress communities!

Submit the Sponsor Application form below, and we’ll be in touch!

We’re happy to announce that WordCamp Chicago 2020 is officially on the calendar! Meet the 2020 organizing team and start preparing for a great event.

SAVE THE DATE

WordCamp Chicago 2020 will take place on May 2-3, 2020, at the UIC Dorin Forum at Halsted and Roosevelt in Chicago, IL.  

Planning Quick Reference: 

• Call for Sponsors: NOW – Space is limited, so contact us today to reserve your space.
• Call for Speakers:  January 1, 2020
• Call for Volunteers: Late February
• Tickets go on sale: February 15

Follow and subscribe for updates:

Follow our social channels to stay up to date on the most recent news. We’ll be keeping you posted on all the details over the coming months, including speaker submissions, ticket sales and more!

Follow our official event social channels:

• Facebook @wordcampchicago
• Twitter @wordcampchicago

Don’t forget to post using the hashtag #WCCHI

Sponsors Make #WCCHI a Great Experience

We love our sponsors! Their generous contribution enables us to create a robust conference for a low ticket price. Our sponsor tables are in prime areas for maximum visibility – attendees interact with sponsors throughout the event.

Want to sponsor WordCamp Chicago 2020? Take a look at our upcoming WordCamp sponsorship opportunities. Key opportunities are limited, so reserve your space now to sponsor at one of the largest camps in the U.S.A!