Blogging for All

In the last few years, we have seen an upsurge of blogging as a trend in the digital space, and even more so as a marketing and communication tool. However, not many are able to use this tool as effectively as they would like, and therefore are not able to explore the infinite possibilities that the blogosphere has to offer. It is for this reason that platforms like WordPress have come up with forums worldwide to educate, inform and share everything there is to know about blogging, giving its users a better understanding of what is before them and how to use it in a safe and secure manner. Inside the deep world of blogging, WordCamps are casual conferences organised locally that cover everything related to WordPress. WordPress is a free and open source personal publishing software that powers over 75 million sites on the internet. And it doesn’t matter if you have just opened an account or if one is a well known guest in the WordPress camp.

WordCamps are often conducted according to the communities that organise them. They come in all kinds of textures but in general, they include sessions on how to use the WordPress platform more effectively, beginning plugin and theme development, advanced techniques, security, and many others. WordCamps are attended by people ranging from blogging newbies to professional WordPress developers and consultants, and usually combine scheduled programming and other activities to get all the creative juices flowing. The first WordCamp was organised in San Francisco by Matt Mullenweg in 2006, and since then local communities around the world have organised others. The blogging community continues to grow and blossom in various communities around the world. Each year, the forum showcases new tools and participants are able to discuss their personal challenges and triumphs with fellow bloggers and consultants.

It is for this reason that the organisers of the worldwide event saw fit to host the first ever WordCamp Retreat Soltau which took place in the Hotel Park Soltau, Lueneburg Heath, Germany in May, 2018. WordCamp Retreat Soltau was the first ever retreat-edition with about 250 guests in attendance. The aim was to have fewer people in order to collect experiences on a smaller scale. This event was the first of its kind, with the intent to respect the general WordCamp agreement, WordCamps should benefit the local WordPress community. The collective interest and feedback of the local participants were valuable indicators for future WordCamp Retreats which may be held regionally or even at a larger scale in the near future. This also serves as a welcome change to the forum as it continues to grow with more and more people exploring the digital space.