In today’s episode, hosts Emma Young and Adam Weeks take one more lap around the pool, not in it, to bring you a last one for the road from PressConf 2025.
Chatting with Anna Gargioni, Brian Coords, Dave Ryan, Domantas Gudeliauskas, Ericka Barboza, Mark Westguard, Matt Medeiros, Raquel Manriquez, Sé Reed, Zach Katz and Katie Richards, they are touching moments that made PressConf unforgettable—from the power of meeting face-to-face and building new business connections, to being reminded just how strong and supportive the WordPress community can be.
Takeaways
The Power of Being Together, In-Person
A recurring theme was the special value of being present physically with fellow community members. People talked about the unique conversations, candidness, authentic interactions, and the irreplaceable feeling of being in the same room.
Candid, Unfiltered Conversations
Several guests highlighted the open, uncensored nature of the event—attendees weren’t afraid to express themselves honestly, even if that included swearing or sharing vulnerable moments. This created a refreshing and freeing environment for deep discussions.
Reconnecting and Meeting New People
Attendees appreciated the opportunity to both reconnect with longtime community members and make new connections. The event fostered a sense of belonging and allowed for meaningful relationship-building, both personally and professionally.
Business-Focused, Safe Space
Unlike other WordPress events that often emphasize technical/developer content, PressConf leaned into business topics. It was a safe space for business-focused stories, sharing challenges, and learning from others’ business journeys within the WordPress ecosystem.
Community is Still Strong
Multiple voices emphasized that the WordPress community is still alive, vibrant, and meaningful. There was a sense of purpose around “keeping the community moving” and invigorated energy to sustain and grow it.
Emotional Resonance
Several attendees were moved emotionally—there were tears and heartfelt moments during talks. Attendees shared personal stories and discussed how deeply WordPress and the community influence their lives.
Welcoming Newcomers
First-time attendees felt welcomed and quickly realized why the WordPress community holds such an important place for so many. The environment was values-driven, filled with curious and intelligent people.
Inspiration to Continue and Grow
A resounding call for more events like this in the future—almost everyone interviewed concluded with hopes (or even promises!) that there would be a next event, based on the success and energy of this one.
Timestamped Overview
- 00:00 “PressConf: Business-Focused WordPress Event”
- 06:04 “WordPress Community Impact”
- 07:20 First Impressions: WordPress Community
- 10:35 “Unexpectedly Comforting Community Experience”
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