Once again this year, one of the key organizers for WordCamp RI is Aaron Ware, President of Linchpin. He took the time to answer some questions so we can have a behind the scenes look at what goes into planning a WordCamp.
Q-
In your professional life, when you’re not helping to organize WordCamp RI, what do you do? What role does WordPress play?
In your professional life, when you’re not helping to organize WordCamp RI, what do you do? What role does WordPress play?
Aaron-
WordPress has a large involvement in the projects, tools and inner workings at Linchpin. On a personal level, I always have pet projects or forum support for various open source projects I work on.
WordPress has a large involvement in the projects, tools and inner workings at Linchpin. On a personal level, I always have pet projects or forum support for various open source projects I work on.
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Q-
One of your roles with WordCamp RI is connecting with sponsors. Why would a company or a consultant want to be one of the WordCamp RI sponsors?
Q-
One of your roles with WordCamp RI is connecting with sponsors. Why would a company or a consultant want to be one of the WordCamp RI sponsors?
Aaron-
With WordPress itself being an open source project, many companies have been able to take advantage of that cost savings. What better way to get even more value out of WordPress than by supporting the community that supports WordPress? Sponsorship tiers are extremely cost effective. It also gives businesses and agencies alike the opportunity to reach out to a very talented pool of potential hires.
With WordPress itself being an open source project, many companies have been able to take advantage of that cost savings. What better way to get even more value out of WordPress than by supporting the community that supports WordPress? Sponsorship tiers are extremely cost effective. It also gives businesses and agencies alike the opportunity to reach out to a very talented pool of potential hires.
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Q-
How do the sponsors directly help the WordCamp RI attendees?
Q-
How do the sponsors directly help the WordCamp RI attendees?
Aaron-
Sponsorships are key to keeping costs low for our attendees. If I could get enough sponsors to make the event completely free I would!
Sponsorships are key to keeping costs low for our attendees. If I could get enough sponsors to make the event completely free I would!
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Q-
WordCamp RI is two days of all things WordPress. For someone attending for the first time, what advice do you offer to get the most out of WordCamp?
Q-
WordCamp RI is two days of all things WordPress. For someone attending for the first time, what advice do you offer to get the most out of WordCamp?
Aaron-
Plan out the tracks and topics that make sense for you to attend. I personally love the buddy system. If you have a colleague or peer, the two of you can go to some of the sessions together, but then also break off into separate sessions when there are multiple topics you are interested in during the same time slot. The great thing is the sessions will be on WordPress.tv as well, so you don’t really have to worry about missing anything.
Plan out the tracks and topics that make sense for you to attend. I personally love the buddy system. If you have a colleague or peer, the two of you can go to some of the sessions together, but then also break off into separate sessions when there are multiple topics you are interested in during the same time slot. The great thing is the sessions will be on WordPress.tv as well, so you don’t really have to worry about missing anything.
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Q-
Friday there are day-long in-depth sessions on various topics. Saturday is made up of a variety of 45-minute seminars throughout the day. What is the advantage of taking those two approaches over the course of WordCamp RI?
Q-
Friday there are day-long in-depth sessions on various topics. Saturday is made up of a variety of 45-minute seminars throughout the day. What is the advantage of taking those two approaches over the course of WordCamp RI?
Aaron-
Workshop day is great for a deep dive, so get ready to roll up your sleeves and work! Session day typically we share overall insights and thoughts on items, but it would be hard to actually get in and start working. Lastly if a session isn’t the right fit, don’t be afraid to gracefully bow out and check out another session that is right for you.
Workshop day is great for a deep dive, so get ready to roll up your sleeves and work! Session day typically we share overall insights and thoughts on items, but it would be hard to actually get in and start working. Lastly if a session isn’t the right fit, don’t be afraid to gracefully bow out and check out another session that is right for you.
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Q-
What’s this Happiness Bar everyone is talking about? Why would I want to stop by?
Q-
What’s this Happiness Bar everyone is talking about? Why would I want to stop by?
Aaron-
The Happiness Bar is a great place to get some support. Whether you have a simple WordPress setup issue or a more advanced topic, there is typically someone there who can give you a shove in the right direction.
The Happiness Bar is a great place to get some support. Whether you have a simple WordPress setup issue or a more advanced topic, there is typically someone there who can give you a shove in the right direction.
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Q-
After WordCamp RI is over, there is the After-Party. What is that? Why should I attend?
Q-
After WordCamp RI is over, there is the After-Party. What is that? Why should I attend?
Aaron-
The After Party is, in my eyes, one of the most important aspects of any WordCamp. The After Party helps cut through some of the awkwardness that someone could possibly feel about going up to a sponsor, speaker or another attendee to maybe ask a question or to say thanks. I can personally attest to walking up to people I admire in the community and simply saying “Thanks for what you do.” I think it’s easier in the After Party setting.
The After Party is, in my eyes, one of the most important aspects of any WordCamp. The After Party helps cut through some of the awkwardness that someone could possibly feel about going up to a sponsor, speaker or another attendee to maybe ask a question or to say thanks. I can personally attest to walking up to people I admire in the community and simply saying “Thanks for what you do.” I think it’s easier in the After Party setting.
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Q-
Is it OK if an attendee stops by a sponsor table during WordCamp itself and says “thank you” to the sponsors?
Q-
Is it OK if an attendee stops by a sponsor table during WordCamp itself and says “thank you” to the sponsors?
Aaron-
YES! Definitely. Also, I think it isn’t always about stepping up to a table. The best part about WordCamps for me is the schmoozing. Walk up at any time to anyone and just have a conversation. If you want to slip in a thank you during that conversation EVEN BETTER. I think it’s about having a conversation. If you aren’t into X or Y or Z solution, product or service that’s A-OK. And again, the After Party is always a great opportunity for casual conversation.
YES! Definitely. Also, I think it isn’t always about stepping up to a table. The best part about WordCamps for me is the schmoozing. Walk up at any time to anyone and just have a conversation. If you want to slip in a thank you during that conversation EVEN BETTER. I think it’s about having a conversation. If you aren’t into X or Y or Z solution, product or service that’s A-OK. And again, the After Party is always a great opportunity for casual conversation.
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Q-
WordCamp draws a diverse crowd: beginners, experienced coders, people who provide web content, project managers, and more. What approach does WordCamp RI take that such a varying group attends each year?
Q-
WordCamp draws a diverse crowd: beginners, experienced coders, people who provide web content, project managers, and more. What approach does WordCamp RI take that such a varying group attends each year?
Aaron-
We leave a good portion of our approach up to the community itself. As a team, the organizers also take a look at what has worked, and what hasn’t, in years past and we go from there.
We leave a good portion of our approach up to the community itself. As a team, the organizers also take a look at what has worked, and what hasn’t, in years past and we go from there.
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Q-
Q-
What tips and tricks do you recommend to get the most out of WordCamp RI? What should I bring? What should I do? Does it matter if I look at the schedule posted on the WordCamp RI website a day or two before I attend?
Aaron-
You honestly don’t NEED to bring anything except an openness to learn. At WordCamp RI we will have schedules posted on the Website as well as have screens throughout our venue at New England Tech, which will be updated in case of any last minute changes.
I always carry a bag with me that has some standards: my laptop, phone, a pen and small notebook (which I rarely use). Also, I bring a charger, a battery backup for my phone, a surge protector with a few extra outlets so if someone else needs to charge I don’t take up the entire outlet.
I would also suggest having some room in your bag for some swag!
You honestly don’t NEED to bring anything except an openness to learn. At WordCamp RI we will have schedules posted on the Website as well as have screens throughout our venue at New England Tech, which will be updated in case of any last minute changes.
I always carry a bag with me that has some standards: my laptop, phone, a pen and small notebook (which I rarely use). Also, I bring a charger, a battery backup for my phone, a surge protector with a few extra outlets so if someone else needs to charge I don’t take up the entire outlet.
I would also suggest having some room in your bag for some swag!
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Q-
Once the actual days of WordCamp RI arrive, what do you personally like to make sure you do?
Q-
Once the actual days of WordCamp RI arrive, what do you personally like to make sure you do?
Aaron-
Hydrate and Caffeinate.
Hydrate and Caffeinate.
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Q-
Is there any follow-up that makes sense once WordCamp RI is over?
Q-
Is there any follow-up that makes sense once WordCamp RI is over?
Aaron-
Fill out the session and over-all event surveys. Reach out to people with whom you made an acquaintance; you never know what it might turn into: a new career, a new project opportunity, etc.
Fill out the session and over-all event surveys. Reach out to people with whom you made an acquaintance; you never know what it might turn into: a new career, a new project opportunity, etc.
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Q-
Q-
Any other thoughts? Does WordCamp RI need anything?
Aaron-
Volunteers. It’s one area we need to grow in our community. More volunteers means that we can have more people step up in the future.
Volunteers. It’s one area we need to grow in our community. More volunteers means that we can have more people step up in the future.
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Aaron Ware is President of Linchpin. You can follow him on Twitter @aaronware and on the WordPress Slack @aware.