Categories
Informations

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.

Categories
Informations

Public Transportation Strike on November 8th

The nationwide local public transport strike scheduled for Friday, November 8th, is expected to impact local public transit in Rome (and local transport in every Italian city) for the whole day, including metro, buses and trams. This may cause delays or limited availability on the day, so we encourage all attendees to plan accordingly to ensure smooth travel.

At this moment, trains will work, but for travel information from the airports to Roma Termini, it is recommended to contact the assistance at the airport.

Alternative Transportation Options:

  • Taxi Services: Rome offers several taxi companies you can rely on during the strike. Authorized white taxis can be found at designated stands throughout the city, or booked by calling Radiotaxi (06 3570) or Italytaxi (06 4994).
  • Ride-Share and Transport Apps: Additionally, you can use popular apps like Free Now, Uber, and the new app ItTaxi (App Store, Play Store) to secure a ride. 

These services may experience higher demand, so booking in advance or allowing extra time is advised.

Please check our “How to reach Rome and the venue” page to read about train connections from/to the airports.

Public transport in Rome, some info that can help

Info about the essential local transport services that are likely to be guaranteed are explained on this page available unfortunately only in Italian:

https://www.atac.roma.it/tempo-reale/l’8-novembre-sciopero-nazionale—tutte-le-informazioni

In brief during the strike: 

👍 from start of daytime service to 8:30 a.m. some (see below)  service will be guaranteed; accessible service will be guarantee

❌ from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. no service is guaranteed 

👍 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. some service (see below) will be guaranteed; accessible service will be guarantee

❌ from 8:00 p.m. no service is guaranteed

Which services will be guaranteed?

The following lines will be guaranteed, but with reduced service compared to the normal schedule.

Metro (link to Rome’s public transport maps): 

  • line A Battistini-Anagnina: from the start of daytime service to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • line B Rebibbia-Laurentina: from start of daytime service to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (line B1 is NOT guaranteed)

Bus:

Tram:

  • tram 3_19: from start of daytime service to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • replacement bus: 2, 3, 5, 8, 14: from start of daytime service to 8:30 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Info about tickets:

AIRPORTS, some info that can help

For travel information from the airports to Roma Termini, it is recommended to contact the assistance of the airports themselves.

FIUMICINO

Fiumicino airport news: https://www.adr.it/azn-notizie

Leonardo Express (Fiumicino → Termini): https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/connections-to-and-from-rome-fiumicino-airport.html

Fiumicino airport maps (search for the information points): https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-airport-map

CIAMPINO

There isn’t a Ciampino airport news page.

Ciampino Airlink (Ciampino → Termini): https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-cia-train  

Fiumicino airport maps (search for the information points in the “passenger terminal” map): https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-cia-airport-map


Should you have further questions or require assistance? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

Categories
Interview

Interview with Alejandro Sanchez

Alejandro Sanchez shares his journey from discovering WordPress as a student in Venezuela to his current role at OnTheGoSystems, parent company of WPML. In this interview, Alejandro reflects on his experiences in multilingual structuring, SEO, and web development. He discusses challenges and exciting advancements in WordPress, from the importance of user experience (UX) to the ongoing modernization of its code. Alejandro also offers practical advice for developers new to the WordPress community, highlighting the need for a welcoming approach and a stronger focus on performance and inclusion.

Categories
Interview

Interview with Miriam Schwab

In this interview, Miriam Schwab, Head of WordPress Relations at Elementor, shares her journey into the WordPress community and how she turned a passion for building websites into a career of impactful contributions. Miriam highlights her experience as a WordCamp organizer and Core contributor, and reflects on her startup, Strattic, as well as her role in advocating for WordPress innovation and resilience. She discusses her views on the future of WordPress, the importance of the theme ecosystem, and offers valuable advice for new developers looking to get involved.

Categories
Interview

Interview with Isotta Peira

In this interview, Isotta Peira shares her journey into the WordPress ecosystem, which began in 2019 when she needed a website for her culinary events business. Initially unsure about managing a site, she gradually grew more confident and involved in the WordPress community. Since joining Automattic in 2022, Isotta has contributed significantly, especially through her work with the WordPress Community Team and initiatives like the post-event Attendee survey translation project. She offers valuable insights into the importance of community engagement, mentorship, and the future direction of WordPress development, while encouraging new contributors to get involved and make an impact.

Categories
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!

Categories
Interview

Interview with Bernie Reiter

In this interview, Bernie Reiter shares his journey into the WordPress community, starting with his first WordPress blog in 2006. As one of the Editor Tech leads for WordPress 6.1 and a Core Committer, Bernhard has contributed to projects focused on enhancing the developer experience, including the Block Hooks and Interactivity APIs. He reflects on the evolution of WordPress development, highlighting the future of script modules and PHP enhancements, and offers advice for new developers looking to get involved in the community.

Categories
Informations

What to bring with you

Devices

Bring everything you need for your devices: chargers, adapters, wires, mices, batteries if you need them, power banks, …

Categories
Sponsor

Thank you SiteGround

We are delighted to announce SiteGround as one of the sponsors of Core Days Rome 2024! Their ongoing commitment to supporting the WordPress community, combined with their reputation for delivering top-tier web hosting services, makes them an invaluable partner for this event.

Categories
Sponsor

Thank you Syde

A huge thank you to Syde for their generous sponsorship of Core Days Rome 2024! Syde (formerly known as Inpsyde) stands as a well-known European web agency specializing in WordPress with an international team of experts spanning over 35 different countries that offer a wide range of services to help users all over the world to empower their businesses.