Portland, Oregon, was buzzing with electric energy. The global WordPress community had arrived for WordCamp US 2025. From August 26th to the 29th, the Oregon Convention Center became a vibrant hub with innovation, connection, and forward-thinking conversation. For our founders (Ryan and Gautam), this was more than just an event.
Being among 1,500 developers, designers, and creators reminded us why we are passionate about this ecosystem. Ultimately, the four days were a whirlwind of learning and inspiration. We left energized and excited for what’s next.
This year’s WordCamp truly showcased the strength and energy of the WordPress community. The event explored a new era for the web, focusing on how AI will shape our work. However, it also reconnected us with the human element that makes this open-source project so special.
The Heartbeat of WordPress: A Thriving Community
While the sessions were packed with insights, the real magic of WordCamp happened in the spaces between them. For instance, the “hallway track” buzzed with spontaneous conversations and new partnerships. In these moments, the strongest bonds form, and the most innovative ideas are born.
Our founders cherished engaging with community leaders and fellow agency owners. The networking opportunities were boundless, reinforcing our belief that collaboration is the cornerstone of progress.
A significant highlight was Contributor Day on August 26. On this day, hundreds of attendees dedicated their time to improving the WordPress project. Their collective effort was a powerful display of the open-source spirit and set a purposeful tone for the entire week.
A New Era of Innovation: AI Takes Center Stage
WordCamp US 2025 served as a showcase for the future. A clear and resounding theme was integrating artificial intelligence into the WordPress ecosystem. As a result, the conversation has shifted. We no longer ask if AI will change how we build websites, but how we can use it to work smarter, faster, and more creatively.
One of the most talked-about innovations came from Elementor. They unveiled Angie, a powerfully intelligent Agentic AI assistant for WordPress. Angie is more than just a content generator.
It is a site-aware assistant that understands your theme and plugins, allowing it to execute complex tasks from a single prompt. The live demos greatly impressed attendees. They showcased Angie’s ability to streamline workflows across Elementor, WooCommerce, and Gutenberg, marking a significant step forward.
Sponsor Spotlights: Tools Shaping Tomorrow
The sponsor hall was a treasure trove of groundbreaking tools and platforms. In fact, many sponsors launched new products and initiatives.
- StellarWP introduced StellarSites. This seamless, all-in-one solution bundles world-class hosting, top-tier plugins, and the popular Kadence theme. Their goal is to lower the barrier to entry for creating a professional WordPress site.
- Furthermore, Kinsta proudly presented its Kinsta Automatic Updates tool. This innovative feature improves security by adding visual regression testing and automatic rollbacks. It’s a game-changer for anyone managing multiple sites.
- Hosting.com shared its Agency Success Program. This free resource offers coaching and livestreams to help agency owners navigate growth. Their commitment to community-led growth was evident in every conversation.
Champions of the Community: Acknowledging Key Supporters
Generous support from numerous sponsors made the event possible. Indeed, each one plays a vital role in the WordPress ecosystem. We were thrilled to see giants like Google as editor sponsors. Google empowers creators with essential tools like Site Kit, Lighthouse, and Core Web Vitals. Consequently, their presence underscored the importance of performance and accessibility.
Longtime community champions Bluehost, Hostinger, and Pressable were also on hand. They demonstrated their unwavering commitment to providing reliable, high-performance hosting. Their investment in WordCamp is an investment in the community itself, and it was great to connect with their teams.
A Hub for Learning and Growth
The schedule for WordCamp US 2025 was packed with multiple tracks that offered something for everyone. The sessions provided deep dives into the PHP developer’s guide, design systems, content strategy, and accessibility. Our founders attended many sessions, gaining actionable case studies to bring back to our team.
Beyond the formal sessions, several unique spaces fostered learning and connection:
- The Happiness Bar was a fan favorite. Here, volunteer experts offered one-on-one help with troubleshooting plugins and themes.
- The Career Corner returned to help attendees find new opportunities within the WordPress ecosystem.
- This year, we also saw a new Creator Studio. This on-site recording studio allowed podcasters to share their stories from the event.
The Vision for Tomorrow: Matt Mullenweg’s Closing Keynote
The event ended with a highly anticipated keynote from WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. He took the stage to share his vision for the future of WordPress and the open web. His presentation focused on integrating AI-powered tools to enhance content creation and site management.
Matt also spoke about the importance of keeping the web open and collaborative. In the Q&A session that followed, he answered questions about everything from block themes to the role of WordPress in a world shaped by AI.
To close, he shared a powerful thought that captured the spirit of the week:
“What we create together is bigger than any one person.”
This quote served as a poignant reminder that the strength of WordPress lies in its people.
More Than a Conference: Embracing Portland
Of course, WordCamp is about more than just sessions; it’s also about having fun. Portland, with its unique charm, was the perfect backdrop. The organizers did a fantastic job, infusing local flavor into the experience with a Voodoo Doughnut truck and a closing party at the World Forestry Center.
The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. It encouraged everyone to connect on a personal level. After a week of intense learning, unwinding and celebrating with friends and partners was wonderful.
Building on the incredible momentum from WCUS Portland 2024, this year’s event truly showed how much the community has grown.
We leave Portland filled with inspiration and a deep appreciation for the community we are a part of. The conversations started at WordCamp US 2025 will shape our work and fuel innovation across the entire ecosystem.
