Want to Speak At WordCamp?

It’s official! The call for speakers is now open.

We’re looking for YOU, members of our WordPress community to speak at WordCamp Sacramento and share your knowledge and experience with WordPress. This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge on a specific topic, give back to the WordPress community, help others learn something new, and meet new people.

WordCamp Sacramento takes place October 22 and October 23, 2016:

• Saturday will feature one track of sessions focused on development and one track of sessions focused on design and content.
• Sunday will feature one track of sessions focused around the business of WordPress and one track of sessions focused around plugins and tools of the trade.

Theme: Discovery

Sacramento is the gateway to the Gold Country. The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill brought thousands of hopeful pioneers to California in search of a better life. From the settlement town of Old Sacramento, to the supply center and trade post of Sutter’s Fort, the Sacramento region is rich in Gold Rush History.

The theme for WordCamp Sacramento 2016 is Discovery.

The discovery of gold in 1848 sparked the largest mass migration in U.S. history, with more than 300,000 pioneers heading west. Likewise, the discovery of WordPress over the last several years has sparked one of the largest movements online to a single content management system and publishing platform, with more than 75 million sites on the web now powered by WordPress.

Think about how the theme of discovery ties in with your topic:

• What can you give them, teach them, or demonstrate for them that will help them discover gold and improve their skills, products or services, or business?
• What will the audience discover during your talk?
• What did you discover when you learned about this topic, researched it, tried it, used it in a project?
• How can others make a discovery like yours or pass on the information to help others discover the benefit, tool, resource, method, idea, etc.

Topic Suggestions

Interested in applying to speak at WordCamp Sacramento 2016, but not sure what to submit a talk about? No problem! We’re here to help.

First, it’s best to plan, create, and give a talk on a topic you are already very familiar and comfortable with. Your topic should be on something you do regularly or know inside and out. This will not only help you feel more comfortable in front of the audience, but it will make preparing your talk faster and answering the Q&A at the end of your talk easier.

Second, review the list of general ideas provided on the blog. These suggested topic ideas aren’t set in stone. They are areas of interest our local community has told us they want to learn more about.

Selection Process

We do want to show off the local Sacramento WordPress talent, so preference will be given to local speakers. To those outside of Sacramento, don’t let this discourage you! Each submission will be thoroughly read and discussed with the WordCamp Sacramento organizing team. If your submission is not accepted, we might not be able to personally respond to each submission with a detailed response.

Some of the things our selection committee will be looking for are:

• Quality of submission and description of talk — one sentence isn’t going to cut it
• The more specific the topic the better, avoid general or broad topics
• Crystal clear topic description — if the organizing team isn’t sure what you’re talking about, no one will be
• How the topic fits in with the WordCamp Sacramento 2016 theme — Discovery
• Degree of uniqueness and popularity of the topic
• Speaker qualifications and experience — first-time speakers are encouraged to apply
• New speakers to WordCamp Sacramento

Here are a few things you should know before submitting a talk below:

• All talks must be focused on WordPress and tie into using or working with WordPress.
• Your session is not primarily to promote your own theme, plugin or business. This is not the time for self promotion and no selling from the stage or front of the room is allowed.
• Understand that you must know what you’re talking about well. Your topic can range from beginner to advanced, just be sure you know it inside and out.
• Be prepared to submit your presentation slides in advance or to review your presentation with a WordCamp Sacramento Organizer prior to the event.
• While we do look for speakers that are experienced, this is a community event designed to showcase the local community! We are looking for young and new speakers. You don’t have to be a seasoned speaker to apply.
• The event will be a combination of talk types and styles, and may include full session talks, panel discussions, and lighting talk sessions focused around a specific topic.
• Please spell WordPress correctly and respect the WordPress logo and trademarks.

The Call For Speakers will close at midnight on Friday, August 19, 2016. Speakers will be notified of acceptance on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, and asked to confirm their spot no later than August 31, 2016.

While we do advocate for diversity and variety among speakers, our general policy is that we don’t consider the race, sex, religion, or any other factor of the speaker to play a part in our selection process. Remember, Information on this page can be updated at any time. Please review this page regularly even if you have submitted an application.

Speaker Submission Form

The Call For Speakers is now closed.