WordCamp US 2024: Showcase Day Lights Up Portland with WordPress Magic!

WordCamp US is back and this year, it’s bigger than ever.

Taking place in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, the annual WordPress community event has expanded from two days to three, incorporating a brand new ‘Showcase Day’ where some of the biggest brands in the world share their experiences with the web’s leading Content Management System (CMS).

Planning to join us in The City of Roses this September?

Here’s everything you need to know about the inaugural WordCamp US Showcase Day, as well as the countless other activities taking place.

WordCamp US 2024: Your Guide to the Essentials

For the uninitiated, WordCamp is a series of annual WordPress gatherings taking place across the globe in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

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Each year, designers, developers, theme and plugin creators, and diehard WordPress enthusiasts join forces to network, collaborate, and level up their skills through interactive workshops. Attendees also have the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers such as Automattic CEO and WordPress founder, Matt Mullenweg.

WordCamp US is the North American epicenter of this international movement, attracting close to 2,000 attendees -a new record- back in 2023.

Here’s what you need to know about Portland WordCamp 2024:

When and Where is WordCamp US 2024?

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This year’s event takes place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR, from Tuesday, September 17 – Friday, September 20, 2024.

Where Can I Buy Tickets?

Tickets are available via the official WordCamp US website.

Individual tickets cost $100. You can also purchase a Micro-Sponsor ticket for $750. By doing so, you’ll join the likes of Automattic, Google, and our colleagues at E2M Solutions in supporting the event as an official WordCamp sponsor.

Introducing The First-Ever WordCamp US Showcase Day

WordCamp has evolved in leaps and bounds since the first 500 WordPress devotees descended on San Francisco for the inaugural event back in 2006. This year, that evolution goes one step further with the introduction of the first-ever Showcase Day.

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This new addition to the WordCamp schedule sees both established and emerging brands sharing insights into the unique and innovative ways they’re putting WordPress to work for them.

The WordCamp US Showcase Day takes place on Wednesday, September 18. Highlights include:

• A Deep Dive into Disney – The Disney Experiences team discusses how the entertainment giant spreads their trademark Disney Magic with Gutenberg blocks.
• WordPress and Artificial Intelligence – WPAI founder James LePage showcases AgentWP, an expert AI assistant with the potential to be a game-changer for solo website owners.
• Hot Off The Press – Learn how the world-famous New York Post uses WordPress blocks to remain a digital publishing powerhouse.

Plus, hear from organizations such as CNN, Vox Media, and Pew Research Center on the ways WordPress empowers them to reach and engage their global audiences.

What Else is Happening at Portland WordCamp?

The Showcase Day may be the talk of the talk of the town right now, but it isn’t the only thing taking place at the biggest WordPress event of 2024.

WordCamp United States:
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Other can’t-miss sessions include:

Thursday, September 19.

• Open Source Is Eating Software Faster Than Software Is Eating the World – OSS Capital founder Joseph Jacks delivers a keynote speech on why Open Source remains technology’s most important trend. (9:15 AM)
• Immersive Journalism, Syndication, and Content Analytics with WordPress: Behind-the-Scenes of an Award-Winning Publisher – A must for WordPress content publishers, discover how non-profit media foundation Grist uses WordPress to share powerful stories with their readers. (11:15 AM)
• WordPress Speed Build Battle: A Lightning-Fast Web Design Contest! – Think you’ve got what it takes to recreate a famous website in only 30 minutes? This intense competition is your chance to prove it. (2:15 PM)

Friday, September 20.

• How TIME Uses Patterns to Drive Recirculation and Engagement – TIME’s Chief Technical Officer Burhan Hamid and WordPress VIP Vice President Tim Hossain look at how Time Magazine is making the most of reusable patterns to produce timely content. (9:00 AM)
• Releasing a Version of WordPress in 8 Hours or Less – Remember when a security vulnerability was found in WordPress 6.4? Aaron Jorbin and Jonathan Desrosiers reveal what it was like to be part of the team that turned around a whole new version to fix the problem in less than a day. (11:00 AM)
• Decoding the Woo and WordPress Strategies of Industry Giants – Hosts Bryce Adams and Travis Lima reveal the secrets of enterprise-level WordPress users and how big-name brands scale to new heights with the CMS. (11:15 PM)

Where to Sleep, Eat, and Explore in Portland, Oregon

Renowned as a progressive, forward-thinking city with a vibrant arts scene and alternative culture, Portland is the perfect host for the most hotly-anticipated WordPress community event of the year.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re traveling from out of town:

Where to Stay

WordCamp has two room blocks at hotels right across the street from the venue.

The main block is at the Hyatt Regency, while a secondary room block is next door at the Hotel Eastlund.

Discounted rates are available for both blocks, with all the information included in your ticket.

Other nearby hotels include:

• Courtyard Portland 
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
• Inn at the Convention Center

Where to Eat

Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a world-class meal to celebrate with the new connections you made at WordCamp, the Oregon Convention Center has several excellent options right on its doorstep.

• Looking for authentic ramen served with a side of captivating views? Look no further than the Yokohama Skyline Eatery.
• Don’t want to miss the big game? Grab nachos, tacos, and more at Stumptown’s favorite sports bar, Spirit of 77.
• From fresh seafood to delicious burgers, Rontoms‘ diverse menu and inviting atmosphere is the perfect post-WordCamp hangout spot.

Where to Explore

Ready to soak up the unique sights and sounds of Oregon’s most captivating city?

Here’s a few recommendations of things to check out once the WordPress festivities end for the day.

• Live Music – A 12-minute Uber from the convention center brings you to Mississippi Studios, where featured artists performing during the week of WordCamp include Sarah Kinsley, The Holdup, and The Ballroom Thieves.
• Art and Culture – A number of fascinating museums, including the Natural History Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and the Portland Art Museum are all a short distance away from WordCamp HQ.
• Sports – Soccer fan? Major league Soccer stars Portland Timbers host LA Galaxy on September 18 at Providence Park, which takes 15 minutes in an Uber or 20 minutes via public transport from the convention center.

Other accessible attractions include the Oregon Zoo, an abundance of beautiful parks and green spaces, and the famous Portland Saturday market.

Join Us at WordCamp US 2024: The Largest WordPress Gathering in North America

Can’t make it to Portland this year? Don’t worry, your good friends at WPLift have got you covered.

As usual, we’ll be bringing you news, updates, and more in the run-up to WordCamp Us 2024 and beyond.

Follow WPLift on X to get the latest information on all things WordPress, including the highly-anticipated WordCamp US 2024.