WordCamp Phoenix 2024 was a blast! I enjoy the WordPress Neighborhood in Phoenix, they are hot and inviting and I feel fortunate to be able to go to every year.
Showing Up for WordCamp Phoenix 2024
My brief flight from LA was postponed by one hour due to a ground drop in Phoenix as it was drizzling a fair bit there. That did not stop me from being thrilled and delighted to be on my method to the camp.
As I was signing in the hotel, I faced Marcus Burnette from GoDaddy, who was likewise remaining at the very same hotel. I had actually not seen Marcus given that WordCamp Atlanta in 2015, so it was great to rapidly capture up.
After I was settled in my hotel space, I decreased to the lobby to meet my group, Ericka Barboza and Marco Berrocal Already, it was currently time to head over to Arizona Wildness Developing Co. where the speaker-sponsor supper was being held.
Marcus remained in the lobby with Courtney Robertson likewise from GoDaddy. I had actually never ever satisfied Courtney personally, however we understood each other from the neighborhood’s social networks, so we were officially presented.
Given That Marcus and Courtney were likewise headed to the speaker-sponsor supper, they used to share a trip with us.
Speaker-Sponsor Supper
Arizona Wilderness Developing Co. lies in Downtown Phoenix, in an extremely occurring location of the city, loaded with dining establishments, bars, and night life.
Due To The Fact That it was a cold night in Phoenix (which is unusual for this time of the year), the supper was kept in the indoor location. When we strolled in, the WordCampers were currently there having beverages and consuming tasty tacos.
All of us participated and had fantastic discussions with lots of people, consisting of Perri Collins, who was going to speak on the last day about a social networks subject.
After we had actually been taking pleasure in beverages and tacos, Raquel Manriquez, the WordCamp Phoenix 2024 Lead Organizer, walked around all the tables and offered some thank-you presents (charming painting sets) to each speaker.
I found Matthew Clancy, who was the Lead Organizer in 2015 and we got captured up too. Everybody in this neighborhood is so incredible!
Very First Day of Camp
WordCamp Phoenix 2024 was held at the Phoenix College which is among the earliest neighborhood colleges in the nation.
Ericka, Marco, and I strolled in and got our registration badges. The very first thing we did was to go thank the volunteers for all the work they do at these camps.
After establishing the cubicle, we began speaking to individuals and offering boodle. Let the enjoyable start!
I walked around the sponsor tables to state hi to the other sponsors whom I had actually understood for a while. That consisted of Chad Beatty with Rocket.net, Chris David Miles with Bluehost, Jen Swisher with Jetpack, and numerous others.
I likewise satisfied a brand-new sponsor I had actually not seen at other camps, CommercialNoise, led by Bruce Holland. We had a good discussion about their hosting services and what they are everything about.
On The First Day, I had the ability to go to a number of discussions, beginning with “The 2024 Remote Work Survival Guide” by Kathy Zant I have actually understood Kathy given that 2019 and it was such an enjoyment to listen to her discussion.
According to Kathy, it appears like although some significant business are moving staff members back to workplaces, remote work is not disappearing. This is an advantage for lots of people, specifically in this neighborhood.
Another fascinating discussion I had the ability to go to was “AI Refresher Course for WordPress Users” by Keanan Koppenhaver I enjoy that he kept stating that AI tools will still need human participation.
After Keanan, Robbie Adair spoke about “Utilizing AI To Accelerate your WordPress Builds”. Appears like AI is of substantial interest in the WordPress neighborhood.
Lunch Break
At lunch break, we took pleasure in tasty taco bowls in the outside location of the college and I had an opportunity to get overtaken Kathy Zant on her brand-new position with Motivations AI. She mentioned how delighted she is to deal with fantastic individuals such as Chris Lema and Jennifer Bourn whom I have actually understood for a while.
After The First Day of the camp was over, Ericka, Marco, and I chose to have actually an unwinded and tasty supper at The Compass which is a widely known revolving dining establishment situated on the really leading flooring of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.
As constantly, the food was tasty as was the white wine, and the views of Downtown Phoenix were incredible. It was fantastic to be able to share an unique supper and personal time with my group.
I advised them once again how essential they were to me which I might not potentially do my task without them.
Day 2 of Camp
On Day 2 of Camp, I likewise had the ability to go to a number of discussions.
I enjoyed Alicia St Rose speaking about the “The Story of a Custom-made Post Type Lost in a Word of Pages” and Chris David Miles about “Comprehending Your Consumer Utilizing Personas and Compassion Maps”.
I then noted to the fireside chat of Raquel with Jenny Poon and Odeen Domingo, who established the biggest coworking neighborhood in Arizona, CO+HOOTS in downtown Phoenix.
Later on, I faced Jen Miller whom I had actually not seen in a while and simply began a position with WebDevStudios. It was great to overtake Jen.
I likewise met Bet Hannon with AccessiCart and we spoke about a possible collaboration with GreenGeeks.
All the discussions were actually fascinating however suddenly it was currently time for closing remarks! Raquel thanked everybody, specifically the sponsors and the volunteers who are an essential part of the camps and they really deserved our gratitude.
Marcus Burnette did a free gift on behalf of GoDaddy for a Nintendo video game and the fortunate winner was Perri Collins who had actually simply offered the last discussion of the day about Social network.
The After Celebration
The After Celebration was likewise held at Arizona Wilderness Developing Co. in the outside heated covered outdoor patio of this European-style beer garden. It was an extremely cold however clear night, however the outdoor patio heating units and firepit actually assisted.
We sat and had beverages with the A2 Hosting Group and after that we had a terrific discussion about WordCamps with Julia Golomb, a Neighborhood Group Organizer who resides in Northern California however circumnavigates the world for camps.
We talked with a great deal of individuals that night, Sadly, it was getting late and we needed to head back to the hotel and get some rest. It had actually been 2 long and hectic days and Ericka and Marco were going to have a long journey back to Costa Rica the next day.
The next early morning, Ericka, Marco, and I satisfied in the lobby for breakfast and for bye-byes.
However wait, it’s not farewell, it’s see you later on as I make certain we will reunite at WCUS in Portland in September!
Another WordCamp Phoenix Remains In the Books!
A substantial thank you to the organizers, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and naturally, the Phoenix WordPress neighborhood. We enjoy them.
Till next year!