We asked our speakers to share their advice with those of you who may be attending your very first WordCamp.
Matt Cromwell
Plan your sessions in advance. Plan a “Hallway track” once in the morning and afternoon. Talk to everyone. Attend the after parties. You learn the most by being with other people, not consuming information.
Carrie Forde
I’ve been to a few WordCamps now, and as a card-carrying introvert, breaking into a crowd of relative strangers can be terrifying. If you have an opportunity to bring a friend along, that’s ideal because it’s always easier to mingle with a friend. At the same time, don’t be afraid to ask questions, insert yourself into interesting conversations, or just say hello to the speakers, organizers, volunteers, or other attendees. And heck, if you’re a fellow introvert, maybe come say hi and we can awkwardly hang out together when you need a break from the action.
Andrew Taylor
Take advantage of networking and meeting the great folks in our community. Most times talks are recorded so don’t feel bad about missing a session to make new connections.
Justin Sainton
Make sure you get out of your group of friends, if you came with one — everyone has a story, and you never know how significantly yours might intersect with someone else’s!
Adam W. Warner
Introduce yourself to as many people as you can. I know it’s sometimes tough, especially when you’re not the extroverted type, but the best way to learn and share knowledge to start a conversation with a stranger. After all, you know you have one thing in common at least, an interest in WordPress.
Tessa Kriesel
Attend EVERYTHING. Don’t skip a social event to go to a museum or site-seeing. The joy of WordCamps is learning all the awesome things you can use in your day-to-day job all day in sessions and then meeting great people that could blossom into lifetime friendships at night. Go sing karaoke with @WCKaraoke, have dinner with people you don’t know and brag about your nerdy-ness, because we all dig it.
Ben Byrne
I try to keep in mind that there’s always someone who knows more than you, and also someone who knows less. You don’t have to know everything or be an “expert” to be a valuable part of the community!
Bridget Willard
Don’t go to every session. Go every other. Talk to the people next to you. If that’s too scary, follow the hashtag and reply to tweets.
Justin Busa
Don’t be shy. Talk to people and make new friends.
Vasken Hauri
If this is your first WordCamp, I’d highly encourage you to spend some time wandering in the halls between talks–getting to know the community can be some of the most valuable time you spend at a WordCamp!
Sarah Wefald
Attend as many sessions as you can, talk to the people around you, and talk to the speakers. The speakers may not have a whole lot of time, so asking them who would be good for you to talk to about a specific issue might be the quickest way for you to find the next dot you can connect.
Matt Vanderpol
If you are coming from out of town, try to stay local so that you can have more opportunity to mingle with others.
Cat Scholz
You are among friends, so be friendly and be prepared to receive insights you need to support your journey.
Cory Miller
Carry your own bags. What I mean by that is own your own experience. You get what you put into it. So make the most of it. Look through the attendee list for people you’d like to meet and introduce yourself. Ask how they use WordPress and how WordPress has changed their lives.
Even though I’m a speaker, sometimes the Hallway Track is the best part of a WordCamp. WordPress is one of the most welcoming communities I’ve ever been a part of. WordCamps are some of the best ways to start and build lasting friendships.
Jake Goldman
Attend the sessions that feel most of out of your comfort zone, and make time to introduce yourself to people you’ve never met before.
Sallie Goetsch
My first WordCamp was WCSF, and it was pretty overwhelming. It can help to go with someone you know, like a fellow meetup member. Don’t be afraid to approach speakers after their presentations. We love knowing someone is interested. And the people at the Happiness Bar are prepared to deal with almost any kind of question. Don’t be shy about asking.
Also, don’t be surprised if you find yourself mentally overloaded before the end of the day. It’s a lot to absorb. Take a break and a walk, or even a nap. Or skip a session and talk to the people hanging out in the sponsor area.
Bill Conrad
Get to know the other people who attend WordCamp and stay in touch.
Mike Fitzpatrick
Take notes. When you leave WordCamp, make sure you have a list of action items. Then go home and implement as many as you can.
Kim Shivler
If this is your first WordCamp, relax and enjoy the experience. Get ready to learn new things and share what you know with others you meet. We all have experiences to share whether we are on the stage or meeting people in the audience. If you tend towards shyness, this is a place to be comfortable reaching out and starting a conversation. It’s a friendly group. Whatever you do – have fun! And find me during the event to say hi. WordCampers are some of my favorite people.
Adam Silver
Understand that you will be overwhelmed. Breath. Take a moment and know that everyone started as a newbie.
Katie Elenberger
Make genuine connections with others.
Jarrett Gucci
Ask tons of questions and find at least one thing you can take action on right away.
John Trujillo
Talk to people! I’m totally an introvert and struggle with putting myself out there and starting conversations but you’ll be missing out on one of the greatest parts about WordCamp Sacramento.
Amber Hewitt
Introduce yourself to new people! Talk with them and get to know them. You could be meeting a new client, friend, collaborator, or business partner.
John Locke
Don’t be reluctant to talk to people. There are many wonderful people in our community. Seek and you shall find.
Jen Miller
Remember that you aren’t the only one who is new to WordCamp. Smile, reach out and make friends.
Ben Ilfeld
Sessions can be popular, so bring a notepad with a solid back for taking notes without a table.
Leslie Staller
Be okay with meeting your own needs — take time outs as needed. Don’t feel like you have to go to a presentation each hour as sometimes the magic is in hanging out and meeting others. And there are so many of us that are introverts… so trust that we’re a friendly bunch and ask to join in.
Tanner Moushey
Go to the afterparties and connect with people. WordCamp is about the relationships, not about the information.