Conference: PressConf
Dates: April 23-25, 2025
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Prepared by: Sé Reed, CEO
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About the Conference
PressConf was a two-day, single-stage event targeted to leaders in the WordPress ecosystem, or as PressConf says: those who “drive the modern WordPress economy”. The organizers specifically requested and reminded attendees that the program was unrecorded and intended to be “feed-light” (i.e. minimal live-posting), in order to foster candid discussion, knowledge-sharing, and relationship-building. Some of PressConf’s stated goals include:
- Build deeper understanding and better opportunities
- Begin and nurture meaningful business relationships
- Strategize and pivot with the ever-evolving web
In addition to a personal, reflective perspective offered via the scheduled sessions, significant value was created in ongoing opportunities for one-on-one and group networking (what the WordPress community colloquially calls the Hallway Track).
Connection to The WPCC
Attending PressConf positioned The WPCC to connect or reconnect with long-time WordPress contributor and community leaders, promote The WPCC to potential members, cultivate potential partnerships and sponsorships, and assess the current sentiment of the businesses and individuals in the WordPress enterprise and corporate community.
Takeaways
PressConf functioned as a high-leverage listening and advocacy tool. We were able to validate The WPCC’s relevance, refine our messaging, and lay concrete groundwork for future funding and collaboration.
- Distributed 100+ WPCC × GoDaddy zines, putting our contributor-funding narrative directly into attendee hands.
- Logged 60+ high-value contacts; opened partnership talks with five enterprise brands (potential value ≈ $50k-$250k).
- Recruited five new individual members, including three early supporters of the original 501(c)(3) effort.
- Captured real-time insights on governance concerns that will shape upcoming programming and Member Discussions.