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:
- 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? - 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?
- 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.)
