{"id":3912,"date":"2025-06-25T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2025\/?p=3912"},"modified":"2025-06-25T11:25:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T15:25:57","slug":"you-never-forget-your-first-wordcamp-toronto-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2025\/you-never-forget-your-first-wordcamp-toronto-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"You Never Forget Your First: WordCamp Toronto 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thinking about attending WordCamp Canada but not sure what to expect? New to WordPress and wondering if you\u2019ll feel out of place? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me tell you about my<\/em> first WordCamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get it, some tech conferences can feel formal or even a bit intimidating. But a WordCamp? It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in May 2009, I went to my very first camp, WordCamp Toronto<\/a>. I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"WordCamp
WordCamp Toronto 2009 Participants<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"WordCamp
Outside the Oasi<\/a> at
WordCamp Toronto 2009<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"WordCamp
Attendees at WordCamp Toronto 2009<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"WordCamp
Troy Chaplin (left) at WordCamp Toronto 2009<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"WordCamp
WordCamp Toronto grew into a larger event venue in 2009.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I didn\u2019t know what I was walking into, but I was eager to learn as much as I could. I\u2019ll be honest. I don\u2019t remember many of the actual sessions, it was<\/em> 16 years ago, after all, but what\u2019s stuck with me are the people, the vibe, and a few memorable moments that made the experience special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Trek<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Star Trek<\/em> reboot<\/a> 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\u2019t a huge Star Trek<\/em> fan, I\u2019ve always leaned more Star Wars<\/em>, but that didn\u2019t matter. What stood out wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accordion Guy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One talk I do<\/em> remember was by Joey deVilla, better known as Accordion Guy<\/a>. He spoke on Living Better Through Blogging<\/a>, but what made it unforgettable was his energy. Joey wasn\u2019t just engaging, he was fun<\/em>. He played his accordion. He cracked jokes. He had me remembering my grandfather, who also played when I was a kid. It\u2019s funny how something small like that can stick with you after all these years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus Swag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the end of Joey\u2019s 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<\/a> selling WordCamp Toronto t-shirts. I still remember picking one up and thinking every camp should do this. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready for Your First WordCamp?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sixteen years later, what I remember most about my first WordCamp isn\u2019t the tech or the talks, it\u2019s the people, the conversations, and the unexpected moments in between. WordCamps are built on community, and that\u2019s what makes them special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Back in May 2009, I went to my very first camp, WordCamp Toronto. I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3657560,"featured_media":3918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"Back in May 2009, I went to my very first camp, WordCamp Toronto.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Why WordCamp Canada is Perfect for WordPress Beginners","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-organizers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2025\/files\/2025\/06\/3528170667_1578001bbf_c.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3105,"url":"https:\/\/canada.wordcamp.org\/2025\/spread-the-word-wordcamp-canada-2025-is-coming\/","url_meta":{"origin":3912,"position":0},"title":"Spread the Word: WordCamp Canada 2025 is Coming!","author":"Troy Chaplin","date":"May 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"WordCamp Canada 2025 is coming to Ottawa, October 16\u201317! 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