Hello everyone, I’m Preeti, and I’ve been working with WordPress for a while now as part of my journey in the WordPress ecosystem. Over the years, WordPress has become more than just a tool for me; it’s something I work with regularly, learn from constantly, and continue to grow alongside. When I finally attended WordCamp Nepal 2026, it changed how I see the community.
During this time, there was one part of the WordPress community that I kept hearing about but had never experienced in person: WordCamps. I had seen posts, photos, and recordings from different WordCamps, and I knew they were an important part of the ecosystem. Still, for one reason or another, I had never attended one myself.
That changed in 2026 when, exactly a week ago, I had the opportunity to attend WordCamp Nepal in Butwal. Along with my team, I participated in the event as a micro sponsor, thanks to the support of Varun Dubey, Director of Wbcom Designs. It was my first time attending a WordCamp in person, and I went into it mainly wanting to understand what these events are really like beyond what you see online.
WordCamps bring people from the WordPress community together, developers, designers, product builders, content creators, and many others, to learn from each other and connect. Until now, my interaction with the community had mostly been through screens, so being part of a WordCamp felt like stepping into a different side of WordPress.
This blog is my attempt to share what my first WordCamp experience was like, what stood out to me during WordCamp Nepal 2026, and what I took away from those days in Butwal.
Before the Event: Curiosity More Than Expectations
Before WordCamp, I didn’t spend much time building expectations around the event. I wasn’t attending with a checklist or specific outcomes in mind, and I wasn’t trying to “make the most of it” in the usual conference sense.
Most of what I knew about WordCamps came from online posts, session recordings, and conversations on social media. I understood the structure, talks, sponsors, and contributors, but not the experience itself. And that difference felt important.
This event felt like a good chance to understand the WordPress ecosystem beyond screens and metrics, to see how developers, marketers, contributors, and users come together in the same space. I went in wanting to listen, observe, and understand how real conversations shape the community around WordPress.
Contributor Day and Community Energy
Contributor Day was my first real exposure to how WordPress contributions look at an event level. People grouped themselves based on interests, whether it was Plugin Development, Theme Review, Basic WordPress Training, or other areas.
It was interesting to see how discussions formed organically and how people helped each other understand different parts of the contribution process. The environment felt open, and conversations moved easily between questions, explanations, and shared experiences.
It made the idea of contribution feel accessible and welcoming, especially for those who are still figuring out where they fit within the WordPress ecosystem.
Sessions That Actually Held My Attention
I attended quite a few sessions during WordCamp, and what I liked was the variety of topics being covered. There was a good balance between technical discussions, product thinking, and future-focused talks, which made the sessions easy to engage with.
One session that really stood out was “Zero to Hero: How WordPress, Docker, and a Laptop Can Build Your Startup” by Sanjeev Thapa. The idea that you don’t need massive resources to start building something meaningful was refreshing. It showed how accessible WordPress and modern tools have made the startup journey. Another session that caught my attention was “Introduction to WP Abilities API & the Future for WP” by Abhishek Rijal. Even though it leaned more technical, it offered a clear view of where WordPress is heading. For someone working in marketing, understanding these changes helps in thinking long-term about products and user needs.
Beyond individual talks, attending these sessions helped me understand how different roles, developers, marketers, founders, and contributors look at WordPress differently, yet work toward the same ecosystem. It also reinforced the idea that staying curious, even about areas outside your immediate role, adds a lot of value in the long run.
Conversations Beyond the Stage
Some of the most memorable parts of WordCamp Nepal 2026 didn’t happen inside session rooms. They happened during tea breaks, over lunch, and in those in-between moments when you’re not really planning to network, but conversations just start happening.
I ended up meeting people from different parts of the WordPress ecosystem: developers, marketers, contributors, freelancers, and users, and none of it felt forced. These weren’t formal introductions or business conversations. It was more about sharing what we do, what we’re working on, and what we’re trying to figure out.
There were a few conversations that stood out because of how naturally they flowed. We talked, exchanged thoughts, laughed, and somewhere along the way, we genuinely vibed. I didn’t expect to build those kinds of connections on what was technically a work trip, and that unexpected bonding is something I’ll always associate with my first WordCamp.
Key Takeaways from WordCamp Nepal 2026
My first WordCamp experience turned out to be far more rewarding than I expected. The conversations, the moments in between sessions, and the people I met are things I know I’ll remember long after the event.
Being able to meet and spend time with people from different parts of the WordPress community, something that usually only happens online, is an experience I wouldn’t have had without WordCamp. That alone made the entire trip worth it.
Listening to stories from people who’ve attended multiple WordCamps made me realize how much more there is to explore in this community. It’s honestly made me look forward to the next opportunity to attend another WordCamp, learn more about WordPress, and continue being part of a community that genuinely enjoys building and growing together.
Most importantly, the event reminded me that growth doesn’t always come from structured learning alone. Sometimes, it comes from showing up, listening, and being open to conversations you didn’t plan for. This WordCamp didn’t overwhelm me with information. Instead, it gave me clarity, context, and a stronger connection to the community I work with every day.
Have you attended a WordCamp before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. And if you’re still on the fence about attending one, consider this your sign to just go for it!
