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Mary Baum
2022 Core representative and co-maintainer of a few components. Copy editor for the Core team (I may have tweaked that error message you saw yesterday!) WordCamp speaker, mostly on design and CSS. Direct marketer with a design degree in three things: 1. Don’t make it symmetrical. 2. Do make it look intentional. 3. And if you can’t make it good, make it big. Self-taught developer, if you don’t count CSS-Tricks, Know the Code Pro and Wes Bos. Dabbler in online fabric and assorted other product design, and 3D. Tennis, landscape and macro photographer and near-daily tennis player. Grandmother.

  • WordCamp Canada 2025: A New Look for a New Chapter

    WordCamp Canada 2025: A New Look for a New Chapter

    Here’s the new visual identity for WordCamp Canada 2025 — a logo that blends the spirit of Canadian tech with the timeless energy of campus life.

    WordCamp Canada 2025 logo
    You can right-click on this image and choose Save Image As… to download a .png file and spread the word!

    More than just a nod to our host venue, Carleton University, this new look signals a bold, future-focused vision for the WordPress community across Canada.

    Shoutout to our design director!

    All of this year’s design work is the product of WCEH 2025 design director Alleanna Barrera and folks working under her direction.

    A Campus Mindset: Innovation, Exploration & Possibility

    When the leaves turn, do you ever think about the days you used to head back to school? The crackle of new ideas and energy, the excitement of seeing new faces and old friends?

    Remember that insatiable sense of possibility, where curiosity ruled, and no challenge was too big? 

    Feel a pinch of that old energy at WordCamp Canada 2025. 

    This fall, WordCamp Canada becomes a space for curiosity, experimentation, and connection. It’s where future-forward thinkers meet and build. And a community comes together to reimagine open source for what’s next.

    It’s a place where:

    • New voices feel heard.
    • Wild ideas find a path to reality.
    • The future of WordPress takes shape at the crossroads of vigorous debate and raucous collaboration.

    Like every good campus gathering, WCEH will combine deep learning with a little mischief. (Hey, we’re Canadian! Of course there’s fun baked in, eh?)

    A Tribute to Place and Possibility

    This new logo draws inspiration from college letter jackets — the kind you’d wear with pride, boldly sewn together with the spirit of community and curiosity.

    “WCEH” is more than a memorable handle. More than an inside joke. It’s who we are: connected, curious, and committed to building great things — together.

    Round WCEH logo

    Join the Movement!

    This is your invitation: make WordCamp Canada your home base. Come to campus to explore. To contribute. To connect. 

    To find what’s missing, to find you’ve got all you need, or help someone new find you—whether you’re building products, communities, agencies, or content.

    This fall, it’s time to hit the campus of WordPress in 2025. So pack your bag, polish your ideas, and get here already!

    The rest of us can’t wait to see what you’ll bring.

    Discover more from WordCamp Canada 2025

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  • Call for Speakers

    Call for Speakers

    This fall, speak at WordCamp Canada 2025!

    The WCEH Call for Speakers is open until June 15!

    Ottawa, Ontario • October 16-17

    When the leaves turn, do you ever think about the days you used to head back to school? The crackle of new ideas and energy, the excitement of seeing new faces and old friends?

    Remember that insatiable sense of possibility, where curiosity ruled, and no challenge was too big? 

    Feel a pinch of that old energy at WordCamp Canada 2025. And start thinking about the ideas you want to share.

    The web is evolving. And so is WordPress. The traditional website is no longer the hub of online connections: it’s all about the network. Walled gardens. Federations. Membership communities. Decentralized networks have been redefining digital interactions for years, for niche interest areas and entire communities. (Just try to exist in a tiny town, or an elementary PTO, without Facebook!)

    And yet: the open web matters more than ever. 

    AI lives and dies on open content (so maybe that content should be good?) Closed platforms stifle innovation. Walled gardens rob creators of the fruits of their work. But true innovation happens when ideas, products, and people connect freely. 

    And no platform can make connections more freely, both as in speech and as in beer, than WordPress. It’s no exaggeration to say that WordPress is the last, best hope of the open web.

    Here are a few topics to get you thinking:

    1. The Future of WordPress in an AI-Driven World.

    AI is reshaping the digital landscape. It’s producing content, images—even entire websites—faster and in more places than ever.

    Where does WordPress fit in when AI can generate a whole website? Critically, where do people step in to keep AI honest, accurate and inclusive? How do we keep human empathy at the heart of digital experiences?

    2. Keeping the Web Open in the Age of Closed Platforms.

    Today’s users expect seamless, omnichannel experiences—across apps, social platforms, search engines, voice assistants, and anything else that comes out in the future. Digital spaces are becoming more fragmented and controlled. How do we push back against these walls? How do WordPress, the Fediverse, the IndieWeb, and Open Source ecosystems help keep content accessible, independent, and interoperable? 

    3. Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation.

    WordPress has become more than a CMS, more, even, than an app platform. Today, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of digital experiences. Developers, creators, and all sorts of other people are pushing boundaries with headless architecture, AI integrations, automation, and new business models. This is where experimentation meets impact, where WordPress fuels innovation at the edge of what’s next.

    Here’s what you can expect:

    Event format and sessions

    WordCamp Canada 2025 will pack in two full days of talks and workshops. They’ll have these formats:

    Lightning Talk

    10 minutes total

    Short, sharp, and to the point! A lightning talk is perfect for quick tips, ideas, or insights with no Q&A. In ten minutes, you can make someone smile, fix a problem, or, maybe, change a life.

    Long Talk

    30 minutes total

    This is the classic WordCamp format. It gives you plenty of time to dive into a topic you care about—use the whole time, or leave room for questions.

    Workshop

    60-90 minutes

    Want to get hands-on? Lead a classroom-style session that lets people learn by doing, in a practical experience that will stay with them long after WordCamp is over.

    Got an Idea?

    Maybe you have another idea that doesn’t fit these formats. Don’t let that stop you—WordPress and WordCamps are all about creativity! Describe your idea in the application form, or drop an email. The team will be happy to consider it.

    What should I talk about?

    Please don’t feel limited by the futuristic discussions above. The possibilities are endless! If you’re passionate about WordPress and eager to share something great with the community, you should apply. 

    Is it a technical deep dive? A story of inspiration? An innovative use case for WordPress, or a part of WordPress? Maybe it’s the solution to a tiny problem that bothered you for what seemed like forever, until you sat down and found the answer (not necessarily by writing code!)

    Think about what drives you in WordPress:

    • How did you get to where you are today?
    • What’s an amazing thing you can do with WordPress?
    • How can we push WordPress to new heights?
    • Is there a community story that needs sharing?
    • Marketing, e-commerce, empowerment through WordPress — what excites you?

    Whatever your angle, we’re excited to hear your perspective. Ready to inspire and be inspired? Join us at WordCamp Canada 2025!

    How many talks can I submit?

    You can submit up to two proposals. If you need to withdraw a proposal or have any questions, please reach out.

    Do I need to be an experienced speaker?

    Definitely not! Whether you’ve presented before or it’s your first time, WordCamp attendees want to hear from you. In fact, some of the best talks in WordCamp history have been from first-time speakers. That said, WordCamp Canada does attract big audiences, so if you’re a seasoned speaker, this might be the forum for you. Either way, if you feel ready and excited, go for it!

    Support for underrepresented speakers

    Every WordCamp, including WordCamp Canada 2025, is all about diversity, inclusion, and creating a welcoming space for everyone. 

    From organizers to volunteers and sponsors, everyone involved with WCEH 2025 so far is passionate about hearing from new voices and fresh perspectives. If you’re part of an underrepresented group, please apply and share your ideas and your story. Now more than ever, your insights are too valuable to miss.

    Plus, we’ve got your back! You’ll have whatever support you would like, in the form of guidance and feedback from experienced speakers and community members, to feel confident and comfortable from your first slide layout to your last second of audience applause at the event. And in so many ways, you’ll help WordCamp Canada 2025 be an unforgettable experience that brings out the full richness of our community. 

    What you get in return

    If you submit, you automatically have the thanks of the organizing team. Almost every one of us has submitted talks and knows it takes work and a bit of courage.

    If you get accepted, you’ll get:

    • Your conference ticket for free (if you bought one before getting accepted, please say so when you reply to your acceptance email), 
    • A secure green room to put your things, 
    • A team to help you answer your questions and help you give the best talk possible. 

    Yes, all this! And the eternal thanks of a grateful community.

    Timeline

    April 23, 2025 — Call For Speakers opens

    June 15 to July 20, 2025 — Speakers selection

    July 20 to August 15, 2025 — Applicant notifications

    August 15 to September 5, 2025 — Schedule release/speakers lineup announcement

    September 30, 2025 — Delivery deadline for slides

    October 16-17, 2025 — WordCamp Canada

    Ready? Set… Apply!

    If you’d like to propose two topics, please submit the form twice, once for each topic. (Remember that two’s the limit.)

    Before submitting your speaker proposal, please log in to WordCamp.org using your WordPress.org account*.

    If you don’t have an account, please create one.

    * This is your account for the official WordPress.org website, rather than your personal WordPress site.

    Is this your first time speaking at a WordPress event?(required)

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  • Call for Volunteers

    Call for Volunteers

    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!

    Please complete and submit the form below to apply for the WordCamp Canada 2025 team.

    Volunteer Responsibilities and Benefits

    If you join the WCEH25 team, you will be needed to work throughout WordCamp Canada over the two days it takes place at Carleton. You can help prior to the event too! Most teams are actively engaged in planning and tasks that must be completed well in advance of the event.

    All volunteers will get free admission and an event t-shirt.

    All volunteers must be familiar with and follow the Community Code of Conduct.

    Follow the WordPress Canada Slack channel #wccanada-planning all the way through the event and on to the next one to see how it gets done — and lend a hand if you can.

    Teams You Can Apply to Join

    1. The Operations Team is composed of the lead organizers, team leads, and others who oversee core event activities like budget, venue, food, and leads meetings. This team helps direct and align the other teams with each other.
    2. The Activities Team covers event-related activities such as after-parties, networking circles, and sponsor-hosted dinners.
    3. The Attendee Experience Team focuses on ensuring attendees have a smooth, welcoming, and engaging event experience. Volunteer roles during the event include: Registration Desk, Information Desk, Accessibility Support, and Swag.
    4. The Communications Team manages social media, website content, design, and media coverage for the event.
    5. L’équipe francophone gère canada.wordcamp.org/2025-fr et fournit un soutien à la traduction pour l’événement et les autres équipes.
    6. The Speaker Experience Team handles speaker onboarding, content preparation, stage management, and engagement. Volunteer roles during the event include: MCs and Speaker Assistants.
    7. The Sponsorships Team manages sponsor outreach, engagement, content, and on-site sponsor activations and support.
    8. The Volunteers Team oversees volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, and on-site support during the event.
    9. Volunteer roles during the event include: Runners, Photographers, Food and Beverage support.

    Please complete and submit the form below to apply for the WordCamp Canada 2025 team.

    Application Form

    Is this the first time you have volunteered at a WordPress event?

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    Discover more from WordCamp Canada 2025

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  • 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

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