Can’t wait until June 16th to learn all that you can about WordPress? Did you know that there are in fact 2 ways you can achieve that – every month? With WordPress Halifax Meetup! Operating since 2016, the Meetup is the birthplace of WordCamp. Most of the core volunteers and presenters are regulars at the meetups.
What is a WordPress Meetup?
For Halifax, it is a monthly free gathering of people who want to talk WordPress – all levels of knowledge and interest levels. They are accessible and include free snacks. Currently, Halifax has two different WordPress meetups that meet in the evenings:
The Main Meetup (usually the last Thursday of the month, at the Dal Student Union Building) is open to all interests of WordPress. Every month there is a theme or topic, to which either a 40-minute presentation or roundtable discussion happens. We try our best to stream all presentations through our Facebook Group. After that, we open the Happiness bar (more on that in a bit). Topics covered in the past have included:
- Basics of hosting
- Security for beginners
- Plugin round-up (always a crowd favourite, everyone shares their favourite plugin – or ones to avoid!)
- Beaver Builder and other demos
- Design and marketing topics as they relate to WordPress
The Dev Meetup is our newest endeavour, aimed at those that code WordPress. This meetup is more advanced and covers topics such as workflow, scripts and other back-end shenanigans. Local developers hungry to master WordPress meet once a month at Shiftkey labs.
Who attends?
Our Main Meetup is open to all levels of WordPress interest. From beginners to those working professionally with WordPress, this event invites everyone! Not sure if WordPress is the right solution for your needs? Come and find out! Been blogging for a while and want to know your own site better? Come on out! Student or professional web designer, developer, or internet-lover? Come hang out with like-minded individuals. There is never a question too basic or too advanced – everyone is at different experience levels with WordPress, and the Meetup aims to bring those people together.
At the Dev Meetup, developers of all skill levels are welcome. Just note that the topics are more advanced and not aimed at regular site creators.
Bottom line: WordPress Meetups are accessible to all. Our community grows stronger when everyone comes to share their knowledge of WordPress and pay it forward. That’s the WordPress way!
Just what is this Happiness Bar you speak of?
Ok, so it’s not about booze (unless our venue allows it) but we do promise to serve up pint after pint of happiness! How? By giving you access to everyone else’s experience with WordPress to help solve that nagging issue you have. Or, show someone else something you’ve learned or something you’ve recently accomplished with your site. Generally, we break up into the following groups:
- New To WordPress: terminology, how-to’s, is it the right platform, WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
- Technical SOS: plugin conflicts, domain issues, hosting issues, database and backups
- Graphics & Themes: critique of your site, plugin and theme support
- Marketing & Audience: critique of your site, plugins and theme support, e-newsletters, social media, list building
There will also be an all-day Happiness Bar at WordCamp Halifax. Should you find yourself between sessions, or just wandering the halls of the event, there will be a dedicated space for you to get help by those who love to soothe your WordPress soul.
How can I get involved?
We’re always looking for speakers and topics for both meetups. You do not have to be a professional speaker or WordPress guru – we’re happy to have anyone who wants to share WordPress related topics to either Meetup. You can connect with Alison Knott, lead organizer, if interested in presenting.
Don’t want to speak but like to help out? Happiness Bar is informal so all you have to do is identify that you’re willing to help.
Far from Halifax but want in on the action? Applying to start a Meetup in your town is very straightforward. Complete deets can be found here, and when done officially through WordPress.org, they help you set up, and even get you some cool swag!
Upcoming Meetups
Now that you know WordPress bliss is ever only 3 weeks away, stay in the loop on when the next one is coming!
Complete Schedule
Facebook Group
Twitter