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Core Days – Recap

A week has passed since the conclusion of the WordPress Core Days, and it is time to take stock of the event.

Participation was impressive: 118 people took part, mainly from Europe, with a significant Italian presence.

The Core Days proved to be a scalable and adaptable format, capable of evolving in real time. The programme could be modified during the event to meet the needs that emerged during the previous sessions, making it flexible both in terms of content and size, depending on the spaces available and the sessions planned.

In Rome, the programme included talks, panels and innovative sessions such as BarCamps and Speed Networking, enriching the participants’ experience with a dynamic and interactive approach.

At the end of the Closing Remarks, many speakers and participants expressed their wish for the event to be repeated, a clear sign of its success and its ability to respond to the needs of the community.

Objectives achieved

Reviewing the objectives, we can say that the main aim of the event – to encourage the meeting of developers active on the WordPress project – was not only achieved, but far exceeded. We created a stimulating environment that fostered meaningful conversations and comparisons, offering facilitators and participants numerous opportunities for in-depth discussions during the sessions. This climate of interaction encouraged active participation throughout the two days.

The event featured 19 facilitators who, on a rotating basis, animated sessions in rooms that were often full, even at times and on topics that we initially expected to attract a small audience, as in the case of track 2. The level of interest demonstrated exceeded all expectations, confirming the effectiveness of the format.

New sponsors

Core Days enthusiastically welcomed the participation of two new sponsors: Elementor and Pantheon.

For Elementor, this was their first participation in a ‘local’ WordPress event and their debut with the NextGen format. Despite the lack of swag, they showed great enthusiasm, actively participating in the sessions and contributing to the success of the event. Elementor representative Miriam Schwab was also among the speakers and facilitators, adding value to the discussions.

We have to give a huge thank you to Miriam and Elementor for our After Party: when they heard that our After Party would be an event with only the 10% discount received from the space ( Mercato Centrale) where we also made the arrangements for the lunches for the two days, they didn’t think twice about helping us by sponsoring the drinks and the space where to hold the evening!
Thank you Miriam and thank you Elementor!

Pantheon, on the other hand, chose Core Days as the first ever WordPress event to attend. Right from the start, they showed a keen interest in the activities of the WordPress community, expressing curiosity and willingness to support future events, with particular attention to those of the Italian community.

Difficulties encountered

We encountered significant difficulties in spreading the communication of the event beyond national borders, especially through social networks. The use of the Italian community’s social accounts proved to be a difficult limit to overcome. Thanks to the efforts of two social team organisers, the performance on social media exceeded expectations, but the need for a broader strategy remains evident. Coordination with the international team that manages the WordPress social accounts could be a possible solution.

Another problem we encountered was that of sending emails through the site: we found that sending emails to individuals from the site tends not to be feasible so it would be good to have an internal solution that is clearer.

IDEAS FOR THE NEXT CORE DAYS

One suggestion that became clear at the conclusion of the Core Days is to reduce the number of sessions in the programme, favouring quality over quantity. Eliminating one session could allow for more time, improving the overall experience.

Talks and panels were particularly successful, with panels standing out in terms of the number of participants. The latter, in particular, could benefit from an extension of time: developers expressed a desire for more opportunities for discussion and debate, pointing out that these opportunities are not as easy during WordCamps.

One aspect to be improved concerns the involvement of new developers, which was limited. A future edition could focus more on those already working in WordPress development, avoiding onboarding activities for new participants.

A critical issue that emerged was the slowness in communication with Global Sponsors. It would be advisable to find an alternative method of contact, avoiding entrusting this task exclusively to the organizers of WordCamps or WordPress events. In some cases, in fact, the emails sent seem to have ended up in spam, causing significant delays in the handling of the Call for Sponsors.

Lastly, the month of August proved unsuitable for contacting speakers and sponsors, both in Italy and abroad, due to the difficulties in receiving replies. Avoiding this time window could optimize time and simplify organization.

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Sponsor

Thank you Pantheon

We are excited to announce Pantheon as one of the key sponsors for  Core Days Rome 2024! Pantheon is renowned for its unwavering commitment to the WordPress community and its top-tier web hosting solutions. Their involvement in this event highlights their dedication to driving innovation within the WordPress ecosystem and empowering users with world-class tools and services.

Pantheon has built a solid reputation in the industry for providing high-performance, scalable hosting solutions specifically designed to meet the needs of developers, marketers, and businesses alike. The platform is engineered to power some of the world’s most dynamic websites, offering exceptional speed, security, and reliability. With a robust infrastructure that allows seamless scaling, Pantheon makes it easy for users to grow their online presence without worrying about technical limitations. Whether it’s handling traffic spikes or ensuring the smooth operation of complex websites, Pantheon’s platform delivers every time.

What sets Pantheon apart is its comprehensive approach to web hosting. Beyond offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, Pantheon understands the broader needs of the WordPress community and actively contributes to its growth and sustainability. Their involvement goes far beyond just providing hosting services, they are dedicated to making a lasting impact on the development community. Pantheon has contributed to WordPress not only through code but also by actively participating in non coding initiatives, demonstrating their belief in the open-source ethos that powers WordPress.

Pantheon’s commitment is evident in their ongoing support for various WordPress events worldwide. From local meetups to major conferences, Pantheon’s sponsorship helps ensure that these events thrive, providing spaces where developers, designers, marketers, and business owners can come together, share knowledge, and collaborate. By sponsoring events like Core Days Rome 2024, Pantheon is fostering the exchange of ideas and pushing the boundaries of what WordPress can achieve.

At Core Days Rome 2024, Pantheon’s presence will be invaluable. The event promises to be a gathering of some of the most passionate and talented individuals in the WordPress community, and Pantheon’s support will play a critical role in making it a success. Attendees will benefit from educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to enhance their skills and deepen their engagement with the WordPress project. Pantheon’s backing ensures that we can provide a space where both seasoned professionals and newcomers can thrive, learn, and contribute to the future of WordPress.

Pantheon’s influence extends far beyond technical contributions; they are deeply invested in the future of the WordPress platform and the open source community as a whole. Their involvement in Core Days Rome 2024 is a testament to their belief in collaboration, innovation, and the power of community-driven development. By partnering with us for this event, Pantheon is helping to create a space where great ideas can be shared, challenges can be overcome, and the next generation of WordPress innovation can flourish.

We are truly grateful to Pantheon for their generous sponsorship and their ongoing commitment to supporting the WordPress community. Their contributions make it possible for us to host an event that will not only inspire but also provide practical takeaways for all who attend. As we gear up for Core Days Rome 2024, we know that Pantheon’s involvement will elevate the event, helping to create an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

A heartfelt thank you to Pantheon for standing by the WordPress community and supporting Core Days Rome 2024. We can’t wait to welcome you to Rome and work together to make this event one for the history books!

Grazie mille Pantheon for your support, we look forward to seeing you in Rome!