Basel, Switzerland — 5–7 June 2025
This year, I had the privilege of serving on the Community Team for WordCamp Europe 2025, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the very first day to the final wrap-up, every moment was a testament to the power of open-source collaboration and the magic that happens when passionate people come together.
🏁 Contributor Day: Connecting & Onboarding New Contributors
The event kicked off with Contributor Day, where hundreds of attendees joined forces to give back to WordPress. As part of the Community Team, my main focus was helping new contributors understand the different ways they could get involved — whether it was joining a Make Team, organizing meetups, or contributing to documentation and translations.
It was inspiring to see first-time contributors walk in curious and leave excited, having made their very first contributions. Many shared that they now felt a part of something bigger — and that’s exactly what the WordPress community is all about.
We also had sessions introducing WordPress community programs, explaining how local meetups and WordCamps are organized, and guiding people through mentorship opportunities like the Training Team’s Guide Program.
📚 Day 1 & Day 2: Inspiration, Learning, and Collaboration
The next two days were packed with talks, workshops, and networking. Some of my highlights included:
- Keynote sessions that reminded us of how far WordPress has come and where it’s headed.
- Community-focused talks on inclusivity, accessibility, and sustaining volunteer energy in open source.
- Hands-on workshops helping organizers level up their skills for running meetups and WordCamps.
Between sessions, I spent time at the Community Table, answering questions from attendees, discussing upcoming WordCamps, and helping people find local communities in their own countries.
🤝 The Power of Meeting in Person
While we collaborate online all year, there’s something special about face-to-face conversations. I met organisers from across the globe — some I had only known through Slack before. We exchanged ideas on how to make events more welcoming, more sustainable, and more fun.
We also discussed creative ways to engage first-time attendees, ensure speaker diversity, and support communities in regions where WordPress events are just starting to grow.
💙 A Personal Reflection
Being part of the organising team gave me a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that makes an event like WCEU possible. The dedication, teamwork, and countless hours invested by everyone involved — from volunteers to speakers to fellow organisers — is truly inspiring.
For me, the best reward was seeing attendees leave with new friends, fresh ideas, and renewed motivation to contribute to WordPress.
📅 Looking Ahead
As I reflect on Basel, I’m more committed than ever to helping people start their contribution journey and feel at home in our community. WordCamp Europe 2025 was a reminder that while technology connects us, it’s people who keep the spirit of open source alive.
If you’ve never attended a WordCamp — or if you’ve been thinking about contributing but aren’t sure where to start — I can’t recommend it enough. Join us next year, and let’s build something amazing together!
#WCEU2025 #WordCampEurope #WordPressCommunity #OpenSource #WPLovers #IIHGlobal
