If you have been to typical conferences, you know the drill: aggressive networking and a relentless focus on ROI. The atmosphere is often defined by the question, “What can I get from you?”
WordCamps disrupt this model by changing the question to, “How can we connect?”
The unique value of the WordPress community at a WordCamp is that attendees prioritise personal relations over immediate sales. This might seem counterintuitive for a business event, but it is actually a better long-term strategy.
When you spend your time selling, you get a customer for a day. When you spend your time bonding and helping, you build a distinct mental availability. When a project lands on someone’s desk six months or even a year from now, they won’t turn to the person who handed them a flyer. They will turn to the person they shared a coffee and a conversation with. You know, business happens, but it happens as a byproduct of trust, not as the primary goal.
In the WordCamp ecosystem, your net worth really is your network—because that network is built on friendship and shared interest, not just potential leads.
P.S. If you want to verify this claim for yourself and meet the wider WordPress community, then join me at WordCamp Asia 2026, which is happening in Mumbai on 9th,10th and 11th April 2026.
You has beautifully drafted my thoughts about WordCamps in your Words. Your experience acted as a cherry on top of the cake.