I remember the first WordCamp that I went to after wanting to go for many years. I didn’t really know what to expect but I was pretty sure that there would be some really cool people there. What I ended up getting out of that first WordCamp is still felt today and I’m sure I will continue reap the benefits for many years to come. So what exactly did I get out of it? Let me share some of that with you.

 

Knowledge

 

I’ve heard that there are a couple of ways to get knowledge (and wisdom). You can learn it the hard way by learning something yourself; you can learn by reading which could take ages; or you could have someone else show you from their experiences and understanding which will accelerate what you know and how to apply it.

 

This is where WordCamp excels.

 

There are workshops and talks at almost every WordCamp which has something for everyone. The gems are the ones that you really didn’t expect to learn from but end up being the ones you enjoyed the most.

 

Tip: Have a look at the WordCamp Jo’burg 2017 schedule to what’s on the cards this year.

 

Food

 

Maybe it’s just my experience with WordCamps but there has always been food and a lot of it. It’s also a time where everyone is together and can chat about how good the food is or about the workshop or talk they just attended.

 

It’s also a good time to meet and network with people from all over the country.

 

Tip: Lunch is included on both days with every ticket you buy including access to the after party.

 

Community

 

What really makes WordPress great is the community that surrounds it. There are people extending it with plugins and themes, there are people helping people in the support forums, there are people making it better and there are even people translating it. This is even more apparent at WordCamps which brings out the best of the community.

 

Tip: We’re having a contributor session this year so everyone will be apart of making WordPress better.

 

So if you haven’t signed up to WordCamp Jo’burg 2017, what are you waiting for? Tickets are only R250 and that’s nothing considering what you will get out of it.