Articles FROM

James Giroux

  • Building Together: The Spirit of Open Source at WordCamp Canada 2025

    Building Together: The Spirit of Open Source at WordCamp Canada 2025

    There’s something powerful about building things together. It’s more than just writing code or pushing updates—it’s the feeling of being part of something bigger. That’s the heart of open source, and it’s exactly what we’re celebrating at WordCamp Canada 2025.

    WordPress has always been more than software.

    It’s a community: of people who believe in sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and supporting each other. It’s a global project: built across the world, but powered by local voices, from hobby bloggers and solo freelancers to agency teams and enterprise developers. And now, we’re gathering from coast to coast in one place, to learn, connect, and build—together.

    WordCamp Canada 2025 is a milestone. It’s a reflection of how far the Canadian WordPress community has come—and how much potential we still have to unlock.

    Whether you’re contributing to core, organizing local meetups, mentoring newcomers, or just starting your first site, your presence here matters. Every contribution, big or small, is part of the larger open source story we’re writing together.

    You’ll feel it in the sessions, the hallway chats, the contributor day tables, and the quiet moments of shared insight. You’ll see it in the volunteers who make this event possible, and the speakers who share their journeys. They don’t do it for recognition nearly as much as they do for the next person who needs to hear, “You belong here too.”

    Open source thrives when we collaborate. When we listen, teach, build, and lead with empathy. WordCamp Canada isn’t just a celebration of WordPress—it’s a celebration of the Canadian community spirit that fuels it.

    WordCamp Toronto 2009
    WordCamp Toronto 2009

    So whether you’ve been contributing for years, or this is your first WordCamp: welcome. You’re part of something extraordinary.

    Get your tickets, bring your curiosity, and join us in Ottawa this fall for an unforgettable celebration of WordPress, community, and the open web! 🌐

    🎟️ Tickets are on sale now, and we’ve secured discount rates for you at area hotels. 🏨


  • Innovation in the Canadian Context

    Innovation in the Canadian Context

    Happy Canada Day! “Innovation” isn’t just a buzzword here, it’s a how even small, local businesses have a big, global impact.

    As we plan and organize WordCamp Canada, we want to keep our focus on the vibrant and distinctly Canadian spirit of our part of the global WordPress community.

    We want to be rooted in Canadian values of practicality, inclusivity, openness, creativity, and collaboration. We think those roots are necessary for innovation, and the WordPress project will only continue to thrive if it has them.

    Planning with Purpose at WordCamp Canada

    In the Canadian WordPress community, innovation often looks like solving local problems with global tools.

    We don’t chase trends for their own sake. We build thoughtfully, with real people in mind.

    It’s Indigenous-led digital agencies creating platforms that honour cultural heritage while pushing technical boundaries. It’s freelancers, educators, and contributors working together to make the open web more accessible and equitable for everyone.

    Our innovation thrives through collaboration; across provinces, time zones, and languages. We don’t just build with code; we build with care. Whether it’s through multilingual content strategies, sustainable hosting, or AI-integrated workflows that respect user agency, Canadian WordPress professionals are shaping what it means to innovate with intention.

    At WordCamp Canada 2025, we celebrate this spirit. We gather not only to share what’s new, but to ask: Who is it for? Who does it include? And how can we build a web that works better for all of us?

    Why This Matters

    Canada’s digital landscape is evolving fast. From AI-powered platforms and decentralized networks to cutting-edge hosting services and community-first design, Canadian innovators are pushing WordPress beyond borders. WordCamp Canada 2025 is more than an event; it’s a celebration of Canadian ingenuity, collective progress, and open-source leadership.

    Join us as we explore what innovation really means in the Canadian context and how we can shape the future of WordPress, together.

    Let’s carry that spirit to Ottawa — see you at WordCamp Canada! 🎟️ Tickets are on sale now, and we’ve secured discount rates for you at area hotels. 🏨


  • It’s not an event. It’s a WordCamp!

    It’s not an event. It’s a WordCamp!

    At the heart of every WordCamp, you can feel the spirit of the WordPress community: Curiosity. Collaboration. Connection.

    Every WordCamp that happens in any city in the world is a grassroots gathering — the result of thousands of hours of work from passionate volunteers. A place where beginners, seasoned developers, content creators, and entrepreneurs come together to share all kinds of things, from stories to skills to strategies. Together, they create the web and the world.

    WordCamp ticket prices are always accessible. But you get everything you’d find at much grander (and far more expensive) conferences. And that WordCamp bonus: the people, from lively hallway chats to the helpful kindness of the folks at the Happiness Bar.

    Where but in WordPress do you get senior management from competing companies who vacation together?

    — Chris Lema

    (In fact, why not get your tickets right now?)

    Why WordCamp Canada Feels So Special

    This October, Carleton University in Ottawa is the scene of the next chapter in our national story. Perched gracefully beside the Rideau River and crackling with the energy of scholarly discovery, the Carleton campus welcomes a world of innovation, accessibility, sustainability, and learning.

    WordCamp Canada is a national event.

    It’s a moment to pull together all our diverse voices from coast to coast. To celebrate our entire Canadian web community. And find ways to turn our challenges — bilingualism, Indigenous perspectives, rural connectivity, and more — into steel bridges to the future.

    Of course, Canada and the web are part of a changing world. It’s one where open source and open platforms may be more important, and more challenged, than ever.


    WCEH 2025: A Celebration of Ideas, Connections & Possibility

    Remember your own school days? (Or the ones you might have wished for?) Imagine coming back to a campus buzzing with energy: late-night debates, hallway inspiration, creative risk-taking. That’s exactly the vibe you’ll find at WordCamp this October.

    Expect big-picture conversations:

    • WordPress and the Rise of AI
      – How LLMs are changing the way people create content and build the web.
      – Our human obligation to keep the web truthful, kind, and inclusive.
    • Open Web vs. Walled Gardens
      – Keeping the internet open, interoperable, and independent.
      – Making and keeping WordPress, the Fediverse, and Open Source the best tools for resistance.
    • Innovation at the Edge
      – WordPress as a platform for experimentation.
      – Headless builds, automation, AI, and new digital business models.

    On top of sessions and workshops, there will be hands-on hacking, maybe some demos, and plenty of time to exchange ideas.

    What You’ll Take Away

    • Connect with Canadians from all corners of the country — and many other countries.
    • Deepen your craft – learn from people in your field or far outside it.
    • Grow the collective – we all get better (and have more fun) together.

    It’s a Celebration!

    And what a celebration WCEH is. Of ideas, connection, and possibility. If you’re a local meetup regular, you’re a first-time attendee, or you’ve been traveling to WordCamps for years, something powerful is here for you.

    Don’t miss a minute!

    WordCamp Canada is not just another conference. It’s a national moment. It’s where bold thinking meets community action, where open‑source ideals meet Canadian creativity. It’s our shared stage to shape the future of the web—together.

    See you in Ottawa! 🇨🇦


    Stay tuned: Follow #WCEH #WCEH2025 for the latest!



  • Call for Volunteers (Closed)

    Call for Volunteers (Closed)

    Like the WordPress software project WordCamp Canada is an open source event. It’s planned, organized, and run by the Canadian WordPress community with volunteers and attendees welcomed from all over the world. We’d love to have you join us!

    Our call for volunteers has now closed. Thank you to all who submitted.


    Discover more from WordCamp Canada 2025

    Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


  • Call for Sponsors

    Call for Sponsors

    This fall, connect with Canada’s most responsive and forward-looking developers, agencies, and businesses in the logistically simplest way possible, in the most productive atmosphere you’ll find yourself in this year.

    A WordCamp Canada sponsorship puts you in the building with your very best prospects and potential partners, so you can build the relationships that can not only finish your year—but build your future, no matter where that future takes us all. And forget complicated logistical coordination: you can make it all happen in a couple of clicks.

    So check out this guide to WCEH 2025’s sponsorship tiers and benefits. Whatever your budget, whatever your ability to load in equipment and set up a space, you’ll find a level that’s right for you to make the impact you want.

    And above everything else, please know the organizers recognize your commitment to and thank you for your support of the WordPress community.

    When you’ve made the decision to sponsor WCEH, please submit your application.

    If you’d like to talk it over with us first, contact us at canada@wordcamp.org to discuss your preferences and options.

    Location and Venue

    WordCamp Canada 2025 (WCEH) will take place on October 15-17, 2025 in Carleton University’s Richcraft Hall Atrium and Conference Centre overlooking the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario. Learn More about the Location and Venue.

    • Richcraft Hall
    • Richcraft Hall Elevator Lobby
    • Boardroom
    • Richcraft Hall Conference Rooms
    • Richcraft Hall Main Lobby
    • Richcraft Hall
    • Richcraft Hall Atrium
    • Singhal Family Theatre
    • Retractable Airwall
    • Living wall viewed from the third floor of Richcraft Hall at Carleton University.
    • Richcraft Hall Classroom
    • Richcraft Hall Atrium
    • Richcraft Hall
    • Richcraft Hall Exterior View from Massey Park Riverbank
    • Richcraft Hall Patio Exterior View
    • Retractable Airwall
    • View of Richcraft Hall on the Carleton University campus from the south bank of the Rideau River with a passing O-Train in view on the bridge.

    Why Sponsor WCEH?

    WCEH is Canada’s premier WordCamp event, one of only two national WordCamps worldwide. As we enter our second year, we’re building on the momentum of last year’s sold-out event, which hosted over 300 attendees from across the global WordPress ecosystem.

    At WordCamp Canada, you can expect an engaging, high-value sponsorship experience at every level that goes beyond simple brand placement. As a sponsor, you’ll become an integral part of the attendee experience, forging meaningful connections with your target audience.

    What sets WCEH apart is its national scale—a rarity in the WordCamp ecosystem. Most WordCamps are regional or city-based, making WCEH one of very few national WordCamps in the world.

    Sponsoring WCEH is an opportunity to engage deeply with the WordPress community, showcase your brand in front of decision-makers, and create lasting, personal relationships with developers, agency leaders, and business owners who rely on WordPress.

    WordCamps: A Brief History and Why They Matter

    WordCamps have been a cornerstone of the WordPress community for nearly two decades. Regularly taking place in cities across the globe, these events create a collaborative space where developers, designers, marketers, and business owners come together to learn, share insights, and build connections. Unlike traditional tech conferences, WordCamps emphasize open-source values, accessibility, and grassroots community-building.

    What sets WCEH apart is its national scale—a rarity in the WordCamp ecosystem. Most WordCamps are regional or city-based, making WCEH one of very few national WordCamps in the world. This distinction positions WCEH as a high-profile event, drawing attendees from across the country and beyond.

    “But, wait a second. I don’t sell WordPress products!”

    Terrific! This is a great time to get involved.

    While WCEH is mostly about WordPress, it’s not just for developers and website builders. Marketers, content strategists, educators, and entrepreneurs also attend, and they, too, are eagerly looking for new tools, services, and technologies to support their businesses.

    That opens the door for companies like yours, who largely live outside the WordPress space, to engage with a tech-savvy, business-oriented audience.

    The WCEH Difference

    Again, WCEH is a national WordCamp. That means it attracts a broad audience of professionals from across North America and beyond, giving you an unparalleled opportunity to reach WordPress users at scale. Here’s what you can expect:

    • Curated Networking Experiences – Thoughtfully designed sponsorship activations that foster real engagement.
    • Highly Engaged Attendees – Developers, agency owners, and business leaders who actively seek new solutions and partnerships.
    • Strong ROI  – Targeted branding, lead generation, and face-to-face interactions that create tangible business outcomes.

    Sponsorship Tiers & Benefits

    TierSpotsPrice (CAD)Exclusive BoothBlog PostSocial MediaCirclesActivity SponsorshipSwag BagBranded Area
    Global3Varies✅ (Group)
    (Individual)
    Confederation2$7,000
    (End Cap)

    (Individual)

    (Individual)
    Northern Lights4$5,000
    (Individual)

    (Individual)
    Great Lakes6$3,500Scheduled (One Day)
    (Individual)

    (Individual)
    Maple Leaf8$2,500Shared
    (Both Days)

    (Individual)

    (Individual)
    Laurentian10$1,000
    (Group)

    (Group)

    (Limited)
    Coast-to-Coast12$500
    (Group)

    (Group)

    Exclusive Sponsor Activations

    Circles: Meaningful Networking, Powered by You

    At WCEH, we take networking seriously. Our sponsor-led Circles are curated conversations where attendees connect based on shared interests. As a sponsor, you have the opportunity to lead discussions tailored to your ideal customer profile, positioning your brand as a trusted resource. Circles are limited to Confederation and Northern Lights sponsors, with only six slots available.

    Activity Sponsorship: Host a Dinner and Build Relationships

    Our highly popular sponsor-hosted dinners offer an intimate setting for meaningful connections. These exclusive events, capped at 30 attendees, allow you to connect directly with key decision-makers in a relaxed environment. WCEH will coordinate the logistics—you just show up and engage. Available to Global, Confederation, and Northern Lights sponsors.

    Visibility and Branding Opportunities

    • Blog and Social Media Exposure – Higher-tier sponsors get individual blog features and social media shout-outs.
    • Exhibit Space Options – From dedicated booths for top sponsors to flexible shared or scheduled exhibit spaces for smaller tiers.
    • On-Site Branding – Sponsor a high-impact attendee touchpoint, such as coffee carts, meal areas, or the after-party (available at the Laurentian Tier).

    Get Involved Right Now!

    Sponsorship opportunities are limited, and we expect high demand. Secure your spot now and be part of Canada’s largest WordPress event.

    📩 Contact us at canada@wordcamp.org to discuss sponsorship options.

    📋 Review the sponsorship prospectus and submit your application.


  • Welcome to WordCamp Canada 2025

    Welcome to WordCamp Canada 2025

    We’re thrilled to welcome you to WordCamp Canada 2025, happening October 16-17, 2025, at Carleton University in Ottawa!

    This year, we’re bringing the energy of a university campus—risk-taking, innovation, and bold ideas—into the WordPress community.

    Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with learning, networking, and collaboration as we explore the future of the web together.

    What to Expect

    Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress veteran or discovering the platform for the first time, WordCamp Canada is your space to dive into the next era of digital experiences.

    Expect cutting-edge discussions on AI, the future of the open web, and the evolving role of WordPress in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

    This year we’re looking for insightful sessions from industry leaders, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions that explore WordPress in a post-website era. Stay tuned for a call for speakers.

    A Return to Campus

    Think back to your time in high school or university—the excitement of new ideas, late-night debates, and pushing boundaries. A place where curiosity and experimentation thrived, where no challenge felt insurmountable. That’s the energy we’re bringing to WordCamp Canada 2025. Just like on campus, this is where the future begins.

    Why This Moment Matters

    The digital world is shifting:

    • AI is reshaping content, code, and creativity at an unprecedented scale.
    • Users expect seamless, omnichannel experiences—apps, social, search, and beyond.
    • The open web is more important than ever as platforms tighten control.

    WordPress is at the centre of these changes, and this is our opportunity to shape its future. How do we ensure content remains independent, accessible, and high-quality in an AI-driven world? How do we push innovation forward while keeping the web open for all?

    Get Involved

    WordCamp is powered by the community, and we want you to be part of it. Whether by volunteering, speaking, sponsoring, or simply sharing your insights, there are many ways to contribute. Stay tuned for updates on speaker submissions, ticket sales, and sponsorship opportunities.

    Join Us!

    Mark your calendars, pack your plaid, and get ready for an incredible WordCamp Canada experience at Carleton University. The future of WordPress starts here. We can’t wait to see you in Ottawa!

    For the latest updates, follow us on social media and keep an eye on our website. Let’s make WCEH 2025 the best one yet!

    #WCEH #WCEH2025 #WordPressCommunity