WordCamp Miami this year was a whirlwind of an experience for me. Three days, seven tracks, close to fifty speakers and over forty-two hours without sleep left quite the impression on me. New and old friends alike were seen, stories were shared and lessons were learned. I may have entered exhausted and done nothing but exacerbate that situation, but I left pumped and ready to plan WordCamp Orlando for the second year.

The first day of the conference actually occurred two weeks earlier, with a beginner workshop at Nova Southeastern University. There, myself and five other speakers went through a course on starting a website with WordPress, from registering a domain to making your first post and choosing themes and plugins. The turnout was excellent, and the attendees that I spoke with indicated that they had received valuable information while there. I also met the wonderful Ernie Hsiung, who offered up a free bed to crash on, which I gratefully accepted the second night of the conference proper. This extended into the second weekend, where I again helped at the beginner workshop before the official event. I missed BuddyCamp to help on this, but I look forward to catching those talks online.

I wasn’t staying in Miami after the first night, but rather with Lisa in Wilton Manors. This involved an hour drive either way, as well as a full house and skipping out on the Friday night party. I managed to get possibly a half hour of sleep, but I may have imagined that. What I do remember is driving back to Miami at 3:30 the next morning, arriving around 4:30 and waiting two hours desperately attempting to get a nap in the car while waiting for the other, less insane volunteers to arrive. After people started showing up I helped unload and set up, then do registration until the event started.

To say that these events are invaluable for learning and networking would be an understatement. Beyond the large number of wordpress.org developers and Automatticians that make the trip, dozens of other talented and noteworthy developers and businesses descend upon any WordCamp to talk and meet attendees. Highlights of my trip involved getting a book signed by Lisa Sabin-Wilson, followed by a more… embarrassing run-in later the same day. The always utilitarian Adam Warner of Foo Plugins helped me jump-start my car after the battery mysteriously died. John James Jacoby gave me some of his time to answer a few questions that I had about their processes over at bbPress. The aforementioned Ernie offered both a bed to crash on after two days without sleep, as well as a small tour of Miami Beach and a good Mediterranean meal.

I look forward to seeing videos from the talks that I was unable to attend on WordPress TV, especially Shane Pearlman, who I missed due to a triathlon in Miami that turned a twenty minute drive to the venue into a two hour parking lot for miles. I also look forward to Miami next year. If it’s anything like this year, everyone with an interest in WordPress should attend!

Is anyone here planning on going next year? How about WordCamp Orlando later this year?