Talks are the heart of WordCamps: some people come for the first time and they want to know more about WordPress, some have been using the platform for a while and they want to add new skills and dive into advanced topics.
WordCamps are for everyone: designers, bloggers, developers, marketers, copywriters, and people that are just curious. The agenda is varied too: we are sure you will find many interesting talks that will pique your curiosity.
This year, beside the traditional talk format, we would love to host workshops on different topics and at different levels to allow everyone to get some field experience.
Talk format
- Long form talk: maximum of 45 mins, inclusive of Q&A
- Lightning talk: maximum of 10 mins, with a group Q&A
- Workshop: maximum of 90 mins
- Panel: maximum of 45 mins, inclusive of Q&A. It’s a 4 or 5 people discussion session with a moderator. You should send a proposal with a topic but also a group of people that you have contacted to take part in this.
Deadline to send your proposal is Sunday, February 11, 23:59 CET.
Additional information about Workshops
A workshop is not just a longer talk. It’s an interactive experience!
Here is some of the info from WordCamp Europe, that applies also to WordCamp Torino.
What makes a great workshop?
A great workshop will teach attendees a new skill, or improve their understanding of an already familiar topic, use creative exercises to make everyone feel relaxed and involved, and encourage teamwork.
Creating, organizing, and leading a workshop is a lot of hard work. It requires you, as the host, to have clear workshop learning points, and make sure that those learning points are tailored to your target audience. Bring with you materials, to better explain any of the points you are trying to make, and don’t forget to write down what you need for the workshop, as well as, what the attendees need to bring.
Come with a well-structured plan and agenda, so that attendees know what to expect. However, most importantly the workshops, unlike the talks, are meant to get people involved. This is an environment where everyone should feel safe, and be able to speak openly so that we can learn effectively all together.
Do I have to be experienced in hosting workshops to apply?
It is recommended that you have some experience hosting workshops or at least have spoken about the topic before.
When it comes to workshops it’s all about being able to teach people in a digestible format, motivate them to participate, and nourish a positive energy in the room. People will likely ask a lot of questions, so you should be proficient in the subject matter and comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. We will be sharing resources and tips on how to plan and run a successful workshop soon.
When reviewing workshop applications, we will take your previous experience into account. Please share any previously prepared workshop materials, recordings, or testimonials you might have gathered.
What could you talk about?
WordPress and its ecosystem, naturally!
Here are some ideas, but your suggestions are welcome:
- Write content with WordPress
- WordPress + Social media
- E-Commerce with WordPress
- Scaling WordPress for high traffic websites
- Themes development
- Plugins development
- JavaScript and WordPress
- WordPress and Internet of Things
- GitHub
- WP-CLI
- Typography
- Contribute to WordPress
- Developers tools
- Accessibility
- Speed optimisation for WordPress websites
- Security for WordPress websites
- Project Management
- Content marketing
- SEO
- Open source
- Women in tech
- Diversity and inclusion
- Business and WordPress (quotes, clients management, vendors management, etc…)
- Web Design / Theme Design / UI / UX
- PHP
- HTML and CSS
- Gutenberg
- REST API
- Outside of the bubble! We’d love to get proposals from friends from other open source projects (Drupal, Joomla, Ghost, Maria DB, etc…)
Ideas for Workshops
Workshops are 90 minutes and they always have a hands-on approach.
Example:
WP-CLI:
- Setup
- Usage examples
- How to create a command
- How to integrate with a plugin
How to evaluate a website for a redesign
- Information architecture 101
- Critique of some examples
- Work on attendees website
- Creation of a homepage wireframe, landing pages, etc…
Public Speaking
- How to write an abstract
- How to write a script
- Slide design best practices
When you send us your workshop submission, please always tell us how do you think you will interact with the attendees and mention past workshop experience with related materials, if you have already given the workshop before.
Other important information
- New in 2018! This year we would love to have more lightning talks (10 minutes + 15 minutes of group questions with other 2 speakers). If you have a long talk in mind, think if you can single out one specific aspect and turn it into a lightning talk.
- We are looking for speakers of every age and background: WordCamps are inclusive and accessibile events.
- You don’t need to be a professional public speaker, but we expect you to be competent enough about the topic you’ll be talking about.
- Your talk is not a way to promote your product or service. If your session is about how you used WordPress to solve a problem that others might have and you are presenting a case-study it’s ok, but we will not accept sales pitches.
- If your talk is accepted, we will use the text of your bio and abstract for the website, please fill them with care.
- Remember to capitalise the P in WordPress and respect the WordPress trademark.
- If you want to send more than one talk, please submit the form for every single one.
- We will ask to see your slides before March 15 to check that there are no infringements of the rules about trademark, GPL, and code of conduct. You will find a series of link in the application form (a/v form, code of conduct, speakers, sponsors, volunteers agreement), please accept those only after you have read the documents linked.
- All the speakers will get a free ticket to WordCamp Torino, so do not get one at this time.
- If we can’t accept your submissions and you decide to join us anyway (thanks!), don’t worry to miss the ticket sales. We will send you a reserved link to buy one from a pool of reserved tickets.
- Please note no payment or reimbursement is due to speakers. WordCamps are all volunteer run.
Call for speakers is now closed! Thank you all for sending your proposals, we will be in touch in the next few days!.