WordCamp US 2024 has officially wrapped up, and what an event it was! Held at the Oregon Convention Center from September 17-20, WordPress enthusiasts from around the globe came together for four days of learning, collaboration, and community building.
Event highlights
The 4-day event was packed with sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees had the chance to engage with WordPress experts and dive into topics ranging from website security to digital strategy.
Brief stats
- Location: Oregon Convention Center
- Date: Sept 17th – 20th, 2024
- Attendees: 1567
- Sessions: 51 (including 4 campfire talks)
- Speakers: 63
- Organizers: 37
- Volunteers: 47
- Sponsors: 42
What are WordCamps?
If you’re new to the WordPress community, you might be wondering, “What exactly are WordCamps?” Simply put, WordCamps are informal, community-organized events that focus on everything WordPress.
They bring together users, developers, designers, and anyone interested in learning more about the platform that powers over 40% of the web. WordCamps are known for being friendly and welcoming to all, making them the perfect place to learn, share ideas, and meet like-minded individuals.
Contributor Day
Contributor Day, which kicked off the event on September 17th, was dedicated to supporting and improving WordPress. WordPress enthusiasts, both new and seasoned, came together to give back to the community. Attendees contributed in various ways, from coding and bug testing to writing documentation and translating content. It was a great way to support the open-source project that powers over 40% of the web.
Bluehost was proud to participate in this day, contributing to WordPress’s continued growth and improvement.
#WCUS begins today with #ContributorDay and team #Bluehost is in full swing! 🙌 How are you making your mark on #WordPress?
Visit our team at the contributor tables and say hello! 👋🏼@WordCampUS #WordCamp #BluehostAtWCUS pic.twitter.com/LbKfiyXy8b
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 17, 2024
We spoke to some of our incredible team members who actively contribute to the WordPress community, and they shared what this event means to them. From offering personal insights to giving tips for first-time contributors, they emphasized how the event plays a key role in shaping the future of WordPress!
At @WordCampUS 2024 #ContributorDay, we asked these awesome contributors from our team about the significance of this event in the #WordPress community. From sharing their thoughts to providing tips for first-time contributors, they highlight how it helps shape the future of the… pic.twitter.com/UeW9H3Kcba
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 18, 2024
Bluehost at WordCamp US
This year, Bluehost took center stage as the Super Admin sponsor of WordCamp US 2024. Teaming up with Yoast at the booth, Bluehost offered attendees expert advice on thriving online. The booth was buzzing with excitement, featuring cool cloud-shaped candies, engaging games, and a raffle that kept everyone entertained. Attendees not only gained valuable insights but also enjoyed some fun swag along the way!
Bluehost showcased several of its latest offerings that aim to make building and managing WordPress websites easier and more efficient:
- AI Site Creator: This new tool is designed to help users create websites quickly and efficiently. With just a few clicks, you can generate AI-powered content tailored to your specific industry, taking the hassle out of website creation.
Building websites is now easier with our #AI Site Creator! See it in action at #WCUS and discover how #Bluehost and #WordPress can streamline your site creation process. Come to our booth NOW!#BluehostAtWCUS #WordCamp pic.twitter.com/IiUhr29hGY
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 19, 2024
- Bluehost Cloud: Bluehost Cloud’s high-performance hosting ensures faster site speed, better reliability, and the ability to handle high-traffic sites. This service was a hit with attendees, especially for agencies and freelancers looking for robust hosting solutions.
Have a high-traffic site with slow load times? Discover the perfect solution with #BluehostCloud! Get unmatched speed, scalability and 100% uptime 🚀
Get a live demo at our @WordCampUS booth NOW!#BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS #WordCamp pic.twitter.com/VOe8sv8XJ9
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 19, 2024
- Bluehost Agency Partner Program: The Agency Partner Program provides agencies with priority support, free cloud hosting sandbox environments, and exclusive discounts, helping them scale their businesses more effectively. Attendees were eager to learn how this program could support their growth.
Calling out all web agencies! We have introduced more benefits for you with advanced hosting, discounts, priority support, generous commissions and more!🚀
Meet our team at our booth and apply now.@NewfoldDigital#BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS #WordCamp #DigitalAgency… pic.twitter.com/O3OqYb3eT1
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 20, 2024
Games & more
Visitors at our booth had a blast playing interactive games that added a fun twist to their experience. It wasn’t just about learning—everyone left with a smile and a head full of new insights! It was a perfect mix of fun and knowledge-sharing.
Fun & swag!
The fun didn’t stop just at learning and games—Bluehost brought plenty of swag, including cotton candies and more!
Stop by the #Bluehost booth and level up with exclusive branded #swag! We have some flyers and yummy cotton candy for you 🍭#BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS #WordCamp pic.twitter.com/rDDDfwPPRV
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 19, 2024
Let’s talk about our favorite part, raffle!
The raffle brought tons of excitement to the booth. Attendees scanned a QR code for a chance to win some super cool Apple products. The anticipation was high, and when the winners were announced, it added an extra layer of fun to the event. Many left with more than just new WordPress knowledge — they also took home fantastic rewards!
Are you ready to win amazing prizes in the @bluehost & @yoast raffle at #WCUS?
Make your way to Mt. Hood room now! pic.twitter.com/g4bJVzs6SF
— Yoast (@yoast) September 20, 2024
Day III highlights
Day 3 was packed with engaging sessions and plenty of excitement at the Bluehost booth. Attendees had the chance to participate in fun games and product demos, making learning about Bluehost’s products an interactive experience.
Day 3 at @WordCampUS is underway, and we're excited to be here! 😀 Your to-do list for today:
✅ Visit our booth to experience our latest products
✅ Join the rewarding #BluehostAgencyProgram
✅ Attend speaker sessions@NewfoldDigital #WordCamp #BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS pic.twitter.com/LFMyfZOpHw— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 19, 2024
Final day
The last day was filled with sessions and networking, allowing attendees to wrap up their WordCamp US experience on a high note. The atmosphere was buzzing as everyone made the most of the final hours, exchanging ideas and reflecting on all they’d learned.
It was a fitting close to a week full of learning and collaboration, with everyone walking away feeling inspired and ready to put their new skills into action.
Final day vibes! Let’s make this last day unforgettable 💪
✅Last chance today to enter our raffle
✅Attend @desrosj’s session at 11 am PDT in Track B
✅Meet our team to see our new products#BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS #WordCamp #Oregon pic.twitter.com/rVTmuVOTOi— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 20, 2024
Standout sessions
WordCamp US 2024 was filled with engaging sessions that explored the latest trends in digital strategy and online business growth. Attendees learned how to make their websites more interactive, improve user experience, and implement sharp tools for faster performance. The event was a great mix of learning and collaboration, keeping everyone involved and excited about the future of web development.
Jonathan Desrosiers, Principal Software Engineer at Bluehost and Eri Jorben spoke on “Innovative WordPress design,” where they discussed new trends and techniques in WordPress design that can help make websites more engaging and effective.
A glimpse of @desrosj from our team giving a session with @aaronjorbin on how contributors worked round the clock to remove a bug when #WordPress 6.4 was released! @WordCampUS
#BluehostAtWCUS #WCUS #WordCamp pic.twitter.com/uyMMlzK2DG— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 20, 2024
More notable sessions –
- Seth Rubenstein session on Building a block first digital news platform for Pew Research Center delved into key features of the platform, including Block Context Wrappers and Atomic Interactive Blocks.
- James LePage discussed the importance of Deeply integrating AI with WordPress, where he demonstrated how AgentWP leverages frontier AI models, custom pipelines, and industry-specific fine-tunes to take safe action within WordPress websites, and how these actions are executed using familiar WordPress developer tools and methods.
- Kristin Falkner focused on Creating client-friendly editing experiences. She emphasized key questions to ask clients upfront to better understand who will be interacting with the CMS and what tasks they will need to complete, as well as which WordPress editing options best align with their preferences and needs, and which nightmare combinations to avoid.
- Neil Peretz presented a session on How to grow and protect your brand, providing attendees with actionable steps on the most cost-effective ways to protect and grow that brand.
Looking forward
WordCamp US 2024 was an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the WordPress community. Whether you attended sessions, contributed to WordPress, or simply enjoyed the networking, the event was a reminder of how powerful and passionate the WordPress community is.
As we close the chapter on WordCamp US 2024, we look forward to staying connected with the amazing people we met and applying the knowledge shared over these past few days. Until next time!
We had an unforgettable experience at @WordCampUS 2024! 🤩 From engaging conversations to insightful sessions, it was an incredible time with the #WordPress community. We loved showcasing our latest innovations and hearing directly from users on how they’re building and growing… pic.twitter.com/jCMFNANyg5
— Bluehost (@bluehost) September 21, 2024