Speaker applications have closed. Please stay tuned for speakers to be announced in mid-February!
WordCamp DC is looking for speakers who will educate, inspire and inform attendees about diverse topics related to WordPress. We want to hear about your experiences and expertise!
Speaker applications closed at midnight on January 24th.
What We’re Looking For
We are actively looking for speakers with a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including folks from groups who may not traditionally feel well-represented at technical conferences or industry events. We also aim to heavily feature local speakers, so we are asking folks from the DC metro area and beyond to submit talks. That all being said, we encourage everyone to submit proposals.
WordCamp DC is a little different than other WordCamps in terms of the format of the conference because we want to make sure we are addressing some special topics specific to the DC community. Check out the schedule outline to see what we’re talking about!
In addition to topics focusing on designing, developing, writing content, building businesses, or expanding WordPress’s functionality, we are interested in topics and case studies related to the following areas:
- security
- diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
- government
- non-profits
- galleries, libraries, archives, and museums
- introductory web development
About Being a Speaker
- WordCamp DC is committed to creating a conference that is as inclusive as possible. If disability accommodations (e.g., communication access, alternate formats) are needed to participate fully in this event, please contact us.
- You do not need to be a professional speaker, but you should be knowledgeable about the topic you are presenting.
- You are encouraged to apply even if you have never spoken at a WordCamp before. If you need some inspiration, take a look at some of the great talks published on WordPress TV or our schedule from the inaugural WordCamp DC!
- If you are local to the DC metro area or have ties here, we would especially love submissions from you. After more than 140 meetups going back ten years, we intend to showcase the local WordPress community.
- All submissions will be reviewed by the organizer committee. We will use a “blind” submission review process to encourage diversity in speakers and topics. Be prepared to review and refine your speaker slides or other material for your presentation with an organizer prior to the event.
- Submissions require a complete talk description, but do not require a completed talk (slides, notes, etc.). We expect that sessions will be 30 minutes in length, except for the beginner workshops we are planning for Sunday (see our draft schedule outline). If you submit a topic for a beginner workshop, please feel free to include a suggested length.
- Speakers will be provided free admission to WordCamp DC and will also be invited to attend a speaker dinner, but we cannot reimburse travel, lodging or other expenses.
- We plan to record all talks and post the videos to WordPress.tv. Speakers will need to sign an A/V release form prior to giving their presentation.
- All speakers must agree to follow our Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us privately at dc@wordcamp.org.
Key Dates for Speakers
- January 25: call for speakers closes
- February 10: speaker applicants notified
- February 11-21: speakers announced
- March 18: speaker slides due
The deadline to submit your proposal(s) is MIDNIGHT Pacific Time on Saturday January 25th, 2020. You will be notified when a decision about your submission is made, no later than February 10th, 2020.
