WordCamp Iloilo 2019 Debrief

Exactly a week after WordCamp Iloilo 2019, and we’re still giddy with all the cool things we witnessed and experienced during those two (three, including KidsCamp / Contributor Day) days of activities.

WordCamps are events that are designed to not be profited from, because WordCamps like WordPress is all about the community and keeping the spirit of Open Source alive. Even though organizing the 2019 iteration felt like a full-time job, particularly for our leads, we always respected this rule. After all, what better way to set an example to our future WordCamp Iloilo organizers than by showing them that this can all be done with nothing but good intentions. Of course, there’s money involved, but good intention is the key, folks! Read more about our Code of Conduct here.

Sidenote:

It’s WordCamp, capitalize the W and the C – not Wordcamp, and definitely not World Camp ;).

And this is important:

WordPress, capital W and P.

In the spirit of transparency, we are sharing this debrief with you to give you a short peek into what it took to organize the entire thing. Spoiler alert: none of it was easy. However, seeing our hard work come to fruition on WordCamp weekend is extremely gratifying. Plus, almost each of us probably gained few new Twitter followers and Facebook friends because of the different kinds of people we talked to during the event. Having more friends is cool, y’all.

So, enough of us being sentimental for the moment. Here’s the WordCamp Iloilo 2019 debrief, presented in all its caffeinated glory:

Preparing the team

Getting volunteers was probably the easiest part of the entire process, mainly because many of our volunteers from WordCamp Iloilo 2018 agreed to help out for this year’s WordCamp.

In addition, we put the call out early on for volunteers on our pages. Thankfully, many young people signed up, some of whom did so because they were also looking for a community to get involved in. This year is the most diverse the local WordPress community has ever been… well, at least in terms of ages. 😉

Planning

As the local WordPress community already have a monthly meeting going on, it was just a matter of incorporating the WordCamp planning sessions in it. We already started planning in earnest by January 2019, designating our respective leads and the attendant responsibilities that come along with it.   

While we’re aware that WordCamp organizers in other cities uses task managing and workplace chat apps to keep track of their activities online, we simply opened up a secret Facebook chat group because of this one simple truth: in the Philippines, everyone is on Facebook. So, people might not read their messages right away, but we can just keep tagging them for reminders!

It was also at the start of the year when we decided to expand WordCamp to two days. The reasons for it were two-fold: a) we wanted to allot some proper breathing time in and between the presentations. If you’re reading this as an attendee of this year’s WordCamp, then you probably noticed how the post-workshop Q&As went on as long as the presentations; and b) so we could properly prepare the venue for their respective programs without rushing. It also helped this year’s too, since it seemed like no one among our organizers have been extremely stressed by the weekend’s proceedings. 

Budgeting

Budgets are always a tricky thing to balance. We already knew the venue and the conference halls to use, so that only left us courting sponsors and determining prices for the tickets.

For the ticket prices, we made sure that it is as affordable as we can make it. So PHP750 it is – and it covers both days of the conference. Yeah, we might be taking on more risks because of it, but hey, all for the community, right? And of course, our biggest thank you to our Global sponsors for helping us make WCIloilo2019 happen, despite all the issues we’ve had to face.

On another note, we highly recommend you to at least look into our sponsor’s respective pages. Their support in cash and in kind really helped us in leveling what might have been frightening expenses for us!

WordCamp Proper

Our total number of attendees for this year was 249, less than last year’s and way below our projected numbers but we were aware of that fact a couple weeks before, mainly because of the bad weather we were having and with a 2-day WordCamp, attendees from other cities and provinces were not able to attend. But the people who went to this year’s WordCamp include those from Iloilo’s neighboring provinces of Antique, Capiz, and Aklan in Western Visayas, entire troupes from the next-door island of Bacolod City, and–of course–several Manila-based attendees.

On the other hand, we can now include international attendees from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the U.S. as having attended WordCamp Iloilo. We’re certainly looking forward to receiving more nationalities in the coming years!

While we’re glad that so many people have personally expressed to us how much they enjoyed WordCamp Iloilo this year, we want to hear feedback from you, specifically on what other areas we can improve on (and yes, we also agree we could improve more on our veggie options for next year!). Go HERE to answer our survey form.

For the slides of our presenters, we have uploaded the available ones to us HERE.

And yes, we also hear you about the certificates! They will be sent out per request, we have prepared a form for you to add in your details HERE, we will be processing certificates every Friday and will be rolling them out over the weekends.

It’s a Wrap!

Thanks to all the organizers, presenters, sponsors, and, just as important, you, the person who spent money and time to attend this year’s WordCamp Iloilo. Your contributions are greatly appreciated, and we hope to see more of you in the coming years.

If you ever want to get involved in our local WordPress community–and you might even be chosen as a volunteer for WordCamp Iloilo 2020!–follow us on our official Facebook page here and join us on our official Facebook group here

At the very least, this year’s WordCamp have proven to us yet again that our city is on its way to becoming a “smart city”, as long as the community is involved. We hope to see you next year, and we leave you with three of the photos taken this weekend that probably defined this year’s WordCamp Iloilo better than most:

Beginners Workshop Track
Advanced Workshop Track
WCIloilo Graduation Picture

We will be uploading more photos into our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/WordPressIloilo/

We’re counting the days and we can’t wait to meet all of you for WordCamp Iloilo!

We’re nearing WordCamp Iloilo 2019, guys!  We hope you’re just as psyched as we are for the whole thing!

If this is going to be your second WordCamp, then welcome back, brethren! Of course, we also want to extend as much help as possible to attendees who will be going to this WordCamp as a first-timer. With that in mind, we’re publishing this one-stop event guide as a way to “orient” yourselves on the activities that will be happening on WordCamp weekend!

So, what are the things you could expect from WordCamp Iloilo 2019? Well, we’re listing the activities you could expect in successive fashion below. Read on! 

AUGUST 23, 2019 (FRIDAY)

Contributor Day (8 am)

Contributor Day is one of WordCamp’s signature events–a day where WordPress users “pay it forward” by contributing their skills to improve WordPress’s already-robust features and functions. 

By availing a ticket for WordCamp, any attendee is also welcomed to sign on as a “contributor” for Contributor Day. 

Four teams will make up the Friday session: Community, Design, Polyglot, and Themes/Theme Reviews. For more details, please read our post here

KidsCamp: Workshop for Kids (8 am)

Curious on what the future may hold for the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs? While we have no way of divining the future (damn you, Nostradamus!), we can at least give our children a headstart through the KidsCamp, a one-day specialized WordPress workshop for children ages 9 to 14. 

For parents (or parent-surrogates. We hear you. <3) who wish to have their kids enroll in the workshop, you simply had to have bought a ticket for WordCamp 2019 to sign them up. Limited slots though, so hurry! 

For more info, read our post here

AUGUST 24, 2019 (SATURDAY, 7:00 am)

WordCamp’s first day is straight-up pedal to the metal! After registration and opening remarks, the organizers will then set up convention floor for the scheduled workshops. 

All 6 presentations will be split into two groups, so we recommend you familiarize yourself with our program ahead of time so you’ll have a solid idea of  which presentation you want to take part in. 

For complete program schedules, click here

AUGUST 25, 2019 (SUNDAY, 7:00 am)

Sunday is devoted to all plenary talks, so you won’t have to worry about possibly missing out on something. There’s also a “Meet Your Tribe” session in the afternoon, so this is definitely the time to get friendly! 

Do note that this is the only day where panel discussions will be held. So, if you’ve got those burning questions you’re holding on to for the entire weekend, this is the time to ask them!

For complete presentations schedule, click here

OTHER STUFF TO NOTE

Happiness Bar

Our “Happiness Bar” is simply an area for attendees who have questions on the presentations or the program, or it can be just something where you need to talk about something. It’s going to be staffed by WordCamp volunteers, and presenters will be hanging out there, too. So swing by! 

What to Bring

Well, just bring your usual, fantastic self! But of course, if you want a more comprehensive list, maybe this post can help you. 

Where to Stay

Yep, we’ve partnered with hotels to give some sweet discounts to attendees from out of town who’ll be staying in Iloilo City for WordCamp. Here’s a list of our official partners and how you can avail of those hot deals!

About the Dengue Situation…

Someone asked us about it, and we addressed the big elephant in the room (or should that be “mosquito”?). Our situation report on the whole thing can be read here

So, this just about covers it. See you at WordCamp Iloilo in a few days, and we hope you really, really get to enjoy your stay in Iloilo City! 

You can download WCIloilo2019’s Event Guide here.

Don’t have your tickets yet? You can click the button below to buy:

Buy WCIloilo Ticket

Why attend WordCamp Iloilo?

WordCamp? Never heard of it. What’s it about?

It’s not a camp. It’s a conference, but one that allows you to let your hair down. It’s filled with presentations and workshops, but it’s one where you can have fun, too. It’s where you don’t just “network”, but it gives you opportunities to make meaningful connections with your fellow attendees, or even make friends with them.

TL;DR WordCamp is a celebration of everything about WordPress and the wonderful, interconnected global communities that make them so awesome. And one such “community” happens to be located in Iloilo City, too!  

Continue reading “Why attend WordCamp Iloilo?”

To our Kasadyahan Sponsors, madamo guid nga salamat

WordCamps are priced so low because of generous sponsors who are willing to give back to the community to help it grow. Our first 2-day WordCamp is only ₱750.00 and for that amount you get a whole day Workshop and Plenary sessions from experts in their fields. (Our speakers are also volunteers who have to pay their own way to teach us what they know and they do it because they truly care – THANK YOU!!!). Apart from the knowledge and experience you’ll gain, you also get a shirt, snacks, buffet lunch, and awesome swags. Whole lot of value for your hard-earned peso, right there.

Our heartfelt thanks to our very generous Kasadyahan Sponsors for helping make #WordCampIloilo happen. Thank you for your support.

Buy WCIloilo Ticket

Continue reading “To our Kasadyahan Sponsors, madamo guid nga salamat”

To our Dinagyang Sponsors, madamo guid nga salamat

Two whole days of learning plus lunch, snacks, t-shirt, and swags for just ₱750.00? We won’t have the courage to organize WordCampIloilo if our generous sponsors don’t have our backs. Seriously, we can’t make this happen without them — these companies invest their time, money, and dedication to help the WordPress community grow.

Our heartfelt thanks to our very generous Dinagyang Sponsors for helping make #WordCampIloilo happen. Thank you for your support.

Buy WCIloilo Ticket

Continue reading “To our Dinagyang Sponsors, madamo guid nga salamat”

Check out our WordCampIloilo T-shirt!!!

Do you know that one of the perks of attending WordCamp Iloilo is our awesome t-shirt? Your ticket includes entrance to the full day workshop on the 24th and the plenary on the 25th at the Iloilo Convention Center and option to attend the Contributor Day and for your kids to join the Workshop for Kids on the 23rd at Skylab Workspace plus a shirt, official swags, lunch and snacks – all for ₱ 750.00. If you don’t have your ticket yet, click the button below:

Buy WCIloilo Ticket

Continue reading “Check out our WordCampIloilo T-shirt!!!”

Meet Siopuu our official #WCIloilo2019 Wapuu

We would like you all to officially meet #Siopuu, #WordCampIloilo’s official Wapuu for this year.

You might have seen him casually eating siopao, wearing his Dinagyang headdress in our footer (or not…) so here he is still eating and just chilling. He is the embodiment of the typical Ilonggo – we are a chill bunch and we love our festival and we love our food.

Continue reading “Meet Siopuu our official #WCIloilo2019 Wapuu”

What to Expect from WordCamp Iloilo

As the second consecutive WordCamp to be held in Iloilo City, we’re aiming for the conference to foster the same kind of laid-back, community-driven vibe that WordCamps are always meant to have.

Regardless if this is your first time to attend the event or not, do know that your primary mission is to learn, make new friends and industry acquaintances, and to simply have fun!

With that said, we think that informing you with a few guidelines will help you set your expectations for the event. Here are a few things that you might expect from WordCamp 2019 come conference time:

Continue reading “What to Expect from WordCamp Iloilo”