The highly anticipated WordCamp Europe 2023 is set to take place in Athens from June 8-10, with over 2,700 tickets already sold and only 527 remaining, along with 49 micro-sponsor tickets. The event will feature three tracks of presentations and two tracks for workshops, as well as a new Wellness Track that will include activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi, and a group hike. The addition of the Wellness Track is seen as an important step towards promoting wellbeing, diversity, and sustainability within the WordPress community.
However, the event has not been without controversy. Last year’s WordCamp Europe in Porto was criticized for a lack of diversity on the organizing team, which plays a critical role in selecting speakers and managing the speaker support program. This year, a public interaction on Twitter between Sjoerd Blom, one of the Global organizers, and Michelle Frechette, Director of Community Engagement at StellarWP, sparked further concerns about diversity within the organizing team.
Blom accused Frechette of “being prejudiced” when she raised questions about the lack of diversity in the first few rounds of speaker announcements. This led to negative feedback from the community and forced WCEU to reaffirm its commitment to diversity. Blom has since apologized for his response, but damage control measures are likely in the works.
Despite these challenges, WordCamp Europe 2023 promises to be an exciting event for WordPress enthusiasts from around the world. With a focus on promoting wellness, diversity, and sustainability, it is sure to provide valuable insights and networking opportunities for attendees.
