Why WordPress Events Matter: Community, Connection, Giving Back

Cathy Mitchell has been part of the WordPress world since 2007. What started as a hobby during maternity leave turned into a business (WPBarista) and, more recently, into a deep involvement with the WordPress community. Today she’s the lead organizer for WordCamp Canada 2026, and her experience offers a clear window into why WordPress events still matter.

An accessible entry point

Cathy’s story begins where many do: curious, inexperienced, and grateful for helpful people. In the early days she learned in the WordPress support forums from seasoned contributors who answered basic questions without judgment. That early generosity left a mark. Years later she was invited into a local organizers group and quickly found herself doing meaningful work. The speed at which newcomers are trusted and empowered in the WordPress ecosystem surprised her — no long bureaucratic apprenticeship, just an opportunity to contribute and learn on the job.

The same openness is how many people find their way into WordPress. Nathan Wrigley, host of the Jukebox Podcast, recalled walking into his first WordCamp unsure what to expect, only to be welcomed and to make connections that shaped his future involvement. Both Cathy and Nathan highlight how easy it is to dip in and out of the community: you can participate at the level you have time for and still feel useful and connected.

Community as belonging and service

A recurring theme is the emotional value of community. For many volunteers, WordPress events are more than networking or marketing venues; they are places of belonging. Cathy talks about life stages — like becoming an empty nester — that leave people searching for meaningful ways to spend time. Volunteering for events, teaching classes, or running sessions for seniors or kids provides purpose, social contact, and a sense of shared accomplishment.

Nathan and Cathy both note that two key ingredients linked to happiness appear in volunteering: time spent with others and altruism. Giving time without expecting anything tangible in return — mentoring newcomers, pouring coffee, organizing tracks — creates satisfaction that often outweighs the effort involved.

Technology, loneliness, and why events help

They also discussed a broader social issue: loneliness. Technology can enable connection, but it can also contribute to isolation. In recent years, public health officials have called attention to loneliness as a major health issue; younger people in particular report high levels of loneliness, even as they are more digitally connected. For Cathy, volunteering and in-person gatherings offer an antidote — a place to practice skills, be useful, and share a goal with others.

The WordPress culture of saying “yes”

One of the community’s special qualities is the willingness to let people try things. Unlike many corporate environments where approvals and red tape can block initiative, WordPress culture often defaults to “yes.” New organizers are entrusted with responsibility, and the network of volunteers supports each other. That culture creates both energy and growth: volunteers learn by doing, and projects are propelled by enthusiasm rather than hierarchy.

Sponsorship, ROI, and a changing landscape

Cathy and Nathan also tackled the more pragmatic side: why businesses sponsor and support events. In boom years, many companies could justify sponsorship simply because the ecosystem was growing, and visibility on that tide was enough. Today the landscape is more complicated: economic uncertainty, increased competition, and the need to demonstrate measurable ROI mean sponsors expect clearer benefits for their investment.

Still, Cathy argues there are good reasons for companies to back WordPress events beyond immediate sales. Sponsorship builds brand recognition within the community, helps with recruitment, and strengthens the open source ecosystem that many businesses rely on. Even if direct conversions are harder to measure, contributing to a healthy, thriving open source project can pay long-term dividends.

Bringing in the next generation

A major focus for Cathy is getting young people involved. Initiatives like Campus Connect and credit-based contributions from universities are beginning to bridge academic programs and open source participation. Encouraging students to get hands-on experience with WordPress, offering internships, and giving course credit for open source work are concrete ways to ensure the project remains vibrant and relevant.

Cathy wants WordCamp Canada to be a showcase for these efforts — a place where students, universities, and employers can meet, collaborate, and see that open source communities are welcoming places to learn and build careers.

Optimism about open source and the future

Despite uncertainty — about the economy, sponsorship trends, and the rapid changes driven by AI — both Cathy and Nathan express optimism about open source. Open platforms offer a level of transparency and adaptability that can complement new technologies. For them, preserving and growing the community matters both for the people involved and for the long-term health of the software ecosystem.

Practical encouragement

If you’re new to WordPress and wondering whether events are worth your time: they can be a powerful way to learn, meet peers, and contribute. If you’re a business owner weighing sponsorships: consider the broader benefits — community health, recruiting, and visibility within a skilled talent pool. And if you’re someone looking for meaningful ways to spend your time, volunteering for events can offer social connection, practical skills, and a real sense of impact.

Where to learn more

Cathy can be found at WPBarista and on the WordCamp Canada site (canada.wordcamp.org). For more episodes and show notes from the interview, visit wptavern.com/podcast.

In short: WordPress events are more than conference programs. They are engines of connection, places where people give and grow, and where open source culture is lived out daily. Whether you’re a curious newbie, a seasoned contributor, or a company thinking about sponsoring, there’s a place for you to plug in and help the community thrive.