WordCamp Portland – Round 3

August 31, 2011 / John Hawkins /

One of my favorite WordCamp events each year is always the one up in Portland. No, not just because they had kegs of beer just inside the front door. Although that certainly didn't suck. Their local WordPress community is awesome and invited in us outsiders with open arms. By the end of the first weekend there, I was ready to move in.

More than just my annual pilgrimage back to Portland for beer and Voodoo Doughnuts, I'm really excited for this year's WCPDX since they are switching things up and doing mainly an unconference style event. If you aren't sure what that is, rather than having a predetermined list of speakers with set times, anybody and everybody is encouraged to suggest topics for sessions. Then a vote happens and the most popular topics get turned in to sessions.

I've been to 20+ WordCamp events, and 2 of my favorite sessions I've sat in on were both unconferenceĀ sessions. I found that the audience was more engaged and both sessions turned in to more of a discussion than a simple presentation. I got a lot out of both of those sessions and I expect a lot more of the same next month in PDX!

If you are planning on going to the event, start thinking about discussions you'd like to take part in. Then, when you get there, write it down on the suggestion board! I have a couple ideas in mind already myself.

See you there!

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8 Comments

  1. Betsy Richter on August 31, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Looking forward to actually *seeing* you at WCPDX this year (now that they’ve stopped scheduling it on major Jewish holidays, that is…!)

    Reply
    • John on August 31, 2011 at 4:01 pm

      lol, I’m pretty sure they weren’t doing it on purpose. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. The Frosty on August 31, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    We’ll see about that.

    Reply
  3. Justin Sainton on August 31, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Believe it or not, I actually just had Voodoo Doughnuts for the first time the other day. So, so, so good.

    Reply
    • John on September 2, 2011 at 12:28 pm

      Maple Bacon Bar FTW!!! Although, my wife’s favorite is the ODB.

      Reply
      • shayne on September 12, 2011 at 8:30 pm

        ODB is a bad mofo, but Maple Bacon Bar has a special place in my heart. Enjoy one for me buddy – sorry I can’t be there.

        Reply
  4. Jason Glaspey on September 1, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Damn. Gonna be out of town. Would have been great to see you in pdx. Maybe I’ll have to come to Vegas.

    Reply
    • John on September 2, 2011 at 12:29 pm

      Ahh man, that does suck. Would have been cool to meet up and chat about your project and see how things are going.

      Reply

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