Can’t believe how fast time flies by. Seems like it was only yesterday when I was in WordCamp Europe 2016 in Vienna, volunteering for the very first time. The nervousness, the excitement, the immersion in the community. An unforgettable experience. I had a ball there last summer. And now I’m readying myself, like many WordPressers all over, for the biggest WordCamp event of them all – WordCamp US 2016. There are some new things coming this year. But first, let us take a stroll down memory lane to last year’s WordCamp US 2015. I’ll only be talking briefly about what happened in the last event. You can read in detail here. So, on to the reminiscence.

It was a very exciting week for me, with me trying to soak in as much as I could. There were meaningful discussions on how to improve the theme review process and the future of WordPress with JavaScript, REST API and accessibility. We even saw the results in 2016 with the theme review process getting a major overhaul. The community was ever-so-welcoming and warm. Always ready to help. I was comparatively greener then. Yet, I did not feel out of place.

Getting to meet new people, reconnecting with old friends, learning & celebrating WordPress and, above all, having fun. That is what WordCamps are all about. They are beyond awesome. They give you an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

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WordCamp US 2016 Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | December 2nd – 4th, 2016

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Fast forward a year and here I am, a day away from WordCamp US 2016. I’m back in Philadelphia. The familiar chilly Philly air welcomes me. As mentioned earlier, I’ll be exposing myself to newer territories. This year, attendees can find me helping at the “Get Involved” table and the Happiness Bar. So, if you see me there, or have queries regarding WordPress and the WordPress community, please feel free to drop by.

Besides volunteering, I am joining the fabulous line of speakers. Yes, I’ll be speaking at the WordCamp US 2016. This is the first time that a Nepali WordPresser is speaking at the event. The pride, the honor and anticipation that comes with it is beyond what mere words can express. I’ll be introducing the Nepali WordPress community and how WordPress has helped reshape the entire technology and IT landscape of the country. I’d be lying if I said I’m not nervous. The gravity of having to represent my people, my country is a tad bit daunting. But I’ll make sure that I make them proud. I have even brought with me t-shirts and stickers from Catch Themes and Nepuu souvenirs to gift the other attendees. You know, to make our WordPress community further visible in the global WordPress map.

In addition to that, I really hope to learn a lot from this trip. As always. WordCamp US is massive! The people pour in from all over the globe and there’s so much to take in – it can be overwhelming at times. Attendees come in the number of thousands and yet, the event is impeccably put together. And to me, that’s nothing less than a fable. I hope to take a page from WCUS in terms of event management and take it back home. I mean one can find inspiration in the tiniest of things which can propel them forward, and this thing is far from tiny. So, I will be on the lookout to learn something different there.

Also, this year, I wish to work toward realizing my dream of organizing WordCamp Asia. Many Asian WordPressers share the same dream. And it is not every day that we get to gather under one roof. So, we’ll definitely make the most out of this chance. Hopefully, in 2018, you’ll have to make space for another amazing WordCamp event in your planner.

So, grab your laptop, bring your good mood and get your energy to learn and develop yourself. I’m all pumped. I guarantee you that this event will bring you to the magic of WordPress!

Learn more about WordCamp US 2016 here. Let’s get #WCUS trending!

See you there!