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Troy Chaplin

  • They’re Here! Meet the First Speakers for WordCamp Canada 2025

    Troy Chaplin Avatar
    Troy Chaplin
    They’re Here! Meet the First Speakers for WordCamp Canada 2025

    Please welcome the first round of confirmed speakers for WordCamp Canada 2025! So far, 17 speakers and 16 talks are already confirmed, making this event one of the most thoughtful, timely, and practical WordPress programs you’ll find anywhere this year.

    This first group of speakers brings deep experience across the entire web, from accessibility, performance, and publishing workflows to block development, design systems, and community sustainability. And they span a breadth of perspectives that, together, give the WordPress community its outsized impact on the evolution of the publishing and business.

    Our First Speakers Are In

    • Alex Melen

      Alex Melen

      Alex Melen, co-founder of SmartSites, is an award-winning entrepreneur and keynote speaker featured in Forbes and Bloomberg for digital innovation.

      View Profile: Alex Melen
    • Alex Sirota

      Alex Sirota

      Alex Sirota is a plugin developer, community leader, and WordCamp Toronto organizer who brings tech expertise and jazz energy to the WordPress world.

      View Profile: Alex Sirota
    • Brent Toderash

      Brent Toderash

      With 25+ years in IT, Brent advocates WordPress, FLOSS, and decentralized package management through AspirePress and FAIR to reduce supply chain risk.

      View Profile: Brent Toderash
    • Brian Coords

      Brian Coords

      Brian Coords is a WordPress developer, writer, and WooCommerce Developer Advocate who hosts Webmasters.fm and writes for top industry sites.

      View Profile: Brian Coords
    • Daniel Paz

      Daniel Paz

      Technical SEO and WordPress expert with 16+ years’ experience. Founder of WP Alta Performance and CTO at Genesis Digital, boosting site speed and ROI.

      View Profile: Daniel Paz
    • Dave Winer

      Dave Winer

      Dave was an early open web developer who built core tools behind WordPress. Software developer, blogger, and podcaster sharing insights on web technology.

      View Profile: Dave Winer
    • Evan Prodromou

      Evan Prodromou

      Evan Prodromou co-authored ActivityPub and led W3C Social Web standards. He builds open web tools like Wikitravel and GNU social.

      View Profile: Evan Prodromou
    • Jeffrey Paul

      Jeffrey Paul

      Jeffrey Paul is VP of Open Source at Fueled, leading WordPress core efforts, plugin sustainability, and contributor strategy across the ecosystem.

      View Profile: Jeffrey Paul
    • Jennifer Curry Jahnke

      Jennifer Curry Jahnke

      Jennifer Curry Jahnke is a digital accessibility expert and award-winning educator with 20+ years advancing inclusive education and web standards.

      View Profile: Jennifer Curry Jahnke
    • Joe A Simpson Jr

      Joe A Simpson Jr

      Joe is a UX-focused WordPress developer, community leader, and speaker dedicated to accessibility and empowering underrepresented tech communities.

      View Profile: Joe A Simpson Jr
    • Jonathan Desrosiers

      Jonathan Desrosiers

      Jonathan, a WordPress Core committer since 2018, builds at scale and mentors new contributors. He’s a Principal Software Engineer at Bluehost.

      View Profile: Jonathan Desrosiers
    • Keanan Koppenhaver

      Keanan Koppenhaver

      Keanan, a seasoned WordPress developer, founded FloorboardAI to help agencies harness AI for better workflows, efficiency, and client results.

      View Profile: Keanan Koppenhaver
    • Mary Job

      Mary Job

      Mary is a Support Engineer at Paid Memberships Pro, agency owner, and community leader teaching tech skills and supporting the African WP community.

      View Profile: Mary Job
    • Ryan Welcher

      Ryan Welcher

      Ryan is a Developer Advocate at Automattic helping devs adopt Gutenberg. He contributes to WordPress and streams custom block dev on Twitch.

      View Profile: Ryan Welcher
    • Sandi Gauder

      Sandi Gauder

      Sandi is a web accessibility expert with 15+ years’ experience helping teams build accessible sites and meet AODA guidelines.

      View Profile: Sandi Gauder
    • Sasha Endoh

      Sasha Endoh

      Sasha is the founder of Endoh Collaborative, a feminist digital agency crafting accessible design and branding to empower nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses.

      View Profile: Sasha Endoh
    • Troy Chaplin

      Troy Chaplin

      Troy builds accessible WordPress Enterprise solutions, React libraries, and tools that empower developers to create modern, sustainable websites.

      View Profile: Troy Chaplin

    Explore the Sessions

    With an incredible lineup of speakers now confirmed, WordCamp Canada 2025 is set to deliver a program packed with insight, inspiration, and real-world takeaways. Whether you’re passionate about performance, accessibility, design systems, or cutting-edge block development, there’s something for everyone. These sessions reflect the depth and diversity of the WordPress community—and you won’t want to miss a single one.

    Here’s a glimpse at what’s coming:

    • Cutting-edge insights into the future of the block editor, including what’s next for layout tools, patterns, and interactivity.
    • Design and UX guidance from those working at the intersection of design systems and user experience in both agency and enterprise environments.
    • Front-end development practices that balance modern tooling with performance and maintainability.
    • Talks that challenge assumptions about plugins, the admin experience, and how we build for the web.
    • Sessions rooted in real-world needs, like improving publishing workflows in newsrooms, creating accessible experiences from day one, and building themes that work for everyone — not just developers.
    • Honest conversations about sustainability and burnout, and what it means to contribute meaningfully without sacrificing well-being.
    Session Preview

    Shaping the Future of WordPress and the Web

    Evan Prodromou

    In addition to the speakers announced today, we’re proud to feature two keynote talks that will help frame some of the most important conversations happening around WordPress and the open web.

    Evan Prodromou, founder of identi.ca and long-time advocate for open standards and federation, will deliver Beyond Microblogging: WordPress Leads the Way in Long-Form Text on the Social Web. His talk explores how WordPress is uniquely positioned to support rich, thoughtful publishing in a social web increasingly dominated by brevity and walled gardens.

    Dave Winer

    Dave Winer, a pioneering developer and writer whose work helped shape blogging, RSS, and podcasting, will present WordPress and the Open Social Web. He’ll share lessons from decades of building for the open internet and make the case for WordPress as a cornerstone of a more distributed, user-owned web.

    Together, these keynotes will set the tone for a weekend of discussion, reflection, and hands-on learning, rooted in the idea that WordPress doesn’t just power websites, it helps shape the future of the web itself.

    The Journey to October Begins

    We can’t wait to share more in the weeks ahead, including additional speakers, workshops, and the full schedule. But for now, we’re incredibly proud of this first group and the conversations they’re bringing to Ottawa this October.

    🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — and we’d love for you to join us.

    Whether you work in WordPress full-time or just want to better understand the tools and people shaping the modern web, WordCamp Canada 2025 will be an event grounded in learning, connection, and community.

    Discover more from WordCamp Canada 2025

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  • You Never Forget Your First: WordCamp Toronto 2009

    Troy Chaplin Avatar
    Troy Chaplin
    You Never Forget Your First: WordCamp Toronto 2009

    Thinking about attending WordCamp Canada but not sure what to expect? New to WordPress and wondering if you’ll feel out of place?

    Let me tell you about my first WordCamp.

    I get it, some tech conferences can feel formal or even a bit intimidating. But a WordCamp? It’s more like hanging out with a couple hundred passionate, friendly folks who speak your language, whether you’re a designer, developer, blogger, or just curious.

    Back in May 2009, I went to my very first camp, WordCamp Toronto. I’d only just started working professionally with WordPress at Carleton University earlier that year, and I was still finding my way after being introduced to it in late 2007.

    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto 2009 Participants
    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    Outside the Oasi at
    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    Attendees at WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    Troy Chaplin (left) at WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto grew into a larger event venue in 2009.

    I didn’t know what I was walking into, but I was eager to learn as much as I could. I’ll be honest. I don’t remember many of the actual sessions, it was 16 years ago, after all, but what’s stuck with me are the people, the vibe, and a few memorable moments that made the experience special.

    Star Trek

    The Star Trek reboot with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto had just been released, and one evening a few of us, including a couple of guys we just met who were working at an Ottawa agency, decided to grab dinner and catch the movie. I wasn’t a huge Star Trek fan, I’ve always leaned more Star Wars, but that didn’t matter. What stood out wasn’t the film, it was the chance to relax and connect with others outside the venue. Moments like that highlight one of the best parts of WordCamp: the community.

    Accordion Guy

    One talk I do remember was by Joey deVilla, better known as Accordion Guy. He spoke on Living Better Through Blogging, but what made it unforgettable was his energy. Joey wasn’t just engaging, he was fun. He played his accordion. He cracked jokes. He had me remembering my grandfather, who also played when I was a kid. It’s funny how something small like that can stick with you after all these years.

    Bonus Swag

    At the end of Joey’s talk, during the Q&A, he started handing out Xbox games to people who asked questions, a fun and unexpected perk. There was also a small booth selling WordCamp Toronto t-shirts. I still remember picking one up and thinking every camp should do this. It’s a simple thing, but having something you can wear home makes the experience feel even more memorable. I wish more camps offered shirts like that today, they make great keepsakes and conversation starters.

    Ready for Your First WordCamp?

    Sixteen years later, what I remember most about my first WordCamp isn’t the tech or the talks, it’s the people, the conversations, and the unexpected moments in between. WordCamps are built on community, and that’s what makes them special.

    If you’re on the fence about attending WordCamp Canada, take the leap. Whether you’re brand new to WordPress or have years of experience, you’ll find a welcoming space to learn, share, and connect. You never forget your first, make this one yours.

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  • WordCamp Canada Flier for Meetups

    Troy Chaplin Avatar
    Troy Chaplin
    WordCamp Canada Flier for Meetups

    Here’s a short PDF flier (below) to share at your WordPress Meetup or anywhere else the WordPress community gathers. (Here it is as a Google Doc if you’d prefer that.)

    If you’d like to share the same information online, please use this post:

    Spread the Word: WordCamp Canada 2025 is Coming!

    As well, our logo and graphics are free to download and use to help promote WCEH.

    WCEH Flier for MeetupsDownload

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  • Spread the Word: WordCamp Canada 2025 is Coming!

    Troy Chaplin Avatar
    Troy Chaplin
    Spread the Word: WordCamp Canada 2025 is Coming!

    About WordCamp Canada

    Whatever you do with WordPress—just starting out? A designer? A content creator? Maybe you’re a publisher or a developer, or you build for the community— you’ll find great people to meet and lots to discover at WordCamp Canada. 

    Set against the backdrop of Ottawa’s Richcraft Hall at Carleton University, this event will help our community peer into the future of the open web, figure out where AI belongs in content creation, and shape the evolving role of WordPress.

    Expect two full days packed with hands-on workshops, enlightening talks from experts you trust, and lots of time to meet old friends and new contacts—so you can grow, connect, and learn. 

    Whether you’re exploring new tools, mastering WordPress best practices, or expanding your network, you won’t want to miss a minute.

    Event Details

    Dates: October 16–17, 2025
    Venue: Richcraft Hall, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
    Website: canada.wordcamp.org/2025

    Call for Speakers

    Have a topic you’re passionate about? Share your expertise with the WordCamp Canada community! We’re accepting speaker applications for sessions on the following topics:

    • The Future of WordPress in an AI-Driven World
    • Keeping the Web Open in the Age of Closed Platforms
    • Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation

    Deadline: June 15, 2025
    Apply to speak here →

    Call for Volunteers

    Want to help make WordCamp Canada happen? It only happens if you volunteer—to help attendees, guide sessions, support speakers, or do lots of other things. Whatever you do, you’ll have a great time, get behind-the-scenes experience, and connect with other WordPress people.

    Sign up to volunteer →

    Call for Sponsors

    Showcase your brand to a passionate, engaged audience, in a very special space, at WordCamp Canada. A variety of sponsorship packages let you match your budget to your visibility—but of course, a great idea can always take you farther!

    Learn more about sponsorship opportunities →

    Stay Connected

    Join the conversation and stay updated on all things WordCamp Canada 2025:

    Visual Assets

    Need logos or promotional materials? Download high-resolution assets for WordCamp Canada 2025 here in a single .ZIP file.

    Download ↓

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