In the fourth part of the WordPress Photo Festival 2024 Retrospective series, Topher interviews Julia Golomb from the WordPress Community Team about Next Generation WordPress Events. The conversation revolves around exploring new ideas for events and how they can be more innovative and creative than traditional WordCamps and Meetups. The article highlights key points discussed in the interview, such as the need for experimentation and the thirst for different types of events in the WordPress community.
Julia emphasizes the importance of creating events that are doable, replicable, scalable, and desirable for attendees. She also discusses the financial challenges faced by organizers and suggests finding donated spaces and seeking sponsorship opportunities to make events more affordable. The article mentions the success of the recent WordPress Photo Festival, which stood out as a great model for next gen events.
The photos event was unique in its format, combining an online experience with regional targeting. It allowed participants to contribute their own photos and provided a personal touch by offering glimpses into people’s lives and interests. The article also touches on the idea of having multiple photos events throughout the year, organized by different people in various locations, but acknowledges the challenges of managing the moderation process.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for creativity and innovation in organizing WordPress events and encourages organizers to think outside the box. It highlights the value of smaller events that offer meaningful experiences to attendees and shares insights and lessons learned from the WordPress community.
