WordCamp US 2025 in Portland – more than just an event

From August 26 to 29, 2025, Portland once again demonstrated why WordPress is not just a CMS, but a movement. Thousands attended in person, many more joined online. For four days, everything revolved around exchange, inspiration and what makes the community so strong: collaboration.

A start full of community spirit

The event kicked off with Contributor Day. Almost 300 contributors – including 120 first-time participants – worked in 19 teams on translations, core bugs, documentation and marketing. The results were impressive: more than 12,000 new translations, new local meetups, updated training materials and direct improvements to WordPress core. It became clear that everyone can contribute – and every contribution matters.

Showcase Day: WordPress in action

Wednesday focused on real-world use. While 250 attendees were expected, more than 800 showed up. The sessions demonstrated how WordPress powers real projects – from Wikimedia to newsrooms and nonprofits. Particularly exciting were insights into AI in WordPress, accessibility and the future of digital education. The introduction of WordPress Campus Connect showed how students worldwide can be introduced to open source.

Sessions, panels and real conversations

The presentation days went deep into topics such as search engine trends, AI panels, design systems, accessibility and content strategies – complemented by hands-on sessions like the Block Developer Cookbook or full-site workshops. Equally valuable was the so-called “hallway track”: spontaneous conversations over coffee, chance encounters and discussions at the Happiness Bar.

Panel insights & key takeaways

• Core AI: James LePage, Felix Arntz, Jeffrey Paul and Matías Ventura explained how AI features will gradually be integrated into WordPress core – with a strong focus on transparency, ethics and user control.
• Scaling & architecture: Meeky Hwang presented the 3E framework (Engineering, Editorial, Experience) for sustainable scaling of large WordPress platforms. Michelle Schulp Hunt demonstrated how design systems and Full Site Editing enable consistent user experiences.
• Full Site Editing at Wikimedia: Joeleen Kennedy showed how FSE simplifies workflows, improves accessibility and strengthens long-term stability.
• AI in practice: Jeffrey Paul demonstrated how AI can be used in a scalable and ethical way – for example with ClassifAI or local LLMs.
• Creator storytelling: Anne McCarthy, Jamie Marsland, Christian Taylor, Mark Szymanski and Michael Cunningham highlighted the importance of creators in making knowledge accessible.

Content creators shape the community

The session Creators around a Campfire was a highlight. It became clear how essential creators are – not as tools, but as people who translate complex topics into understandable content. This mirrors my own experience: in my environment, Nadja Hollstein is also active as a content creator through live meditations, podcasts and coaching formats. She will soon receive her own WordPress website from me.

WordPress as a movement

WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg concluded by emphasizing growth: more events, more users on WordPress.org and more diverse voices. Programs like the Open Horizons Scholarship make participation more accessible worldwide.

Conclusion

WordCamp US 2025 showed that WordPress is more than software. It is a global community working towards an open, inclusive and future-oriented web.