Category: Speaker Highlights

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Make Your Website Run Faster with George Childs at WordCamp Birmingham

George Childs wants to share some tips on security and speed to help you make the most of your WordPress website.

Session

Usability Testing Workshop
You don’t really know your own website until you’ve watched over someone’s shoulder as they use it. One quick usability test can give you a world of information about how people respond to your website, especially by showing you what confuses them. I’ll teach people how to do this test, and then we will split up into groups and test on each other.

Why This Topic?

I like being liked, and most people really enjoy this seminar. I enjoy watching lightbulbs go on above people’s heads, and also the moment when people smack their forehead as something that should have been so obvious jumps out at them while they’re testing their own website.

There is also a really fun moment in most usability tests when the test user says, “I’m so lost! I can’t find the button!” and you as the test facilitator have to sit on your hands and bite your tongue because the button is so obviously there, but you’re not supposed to help the user until the test is over. That always gets me.

What Will You Take Away?

I hope participants will know how to make their websites easier to use, so that their visitors will be happy.

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

You should try Drupal and Joomla. When you come back, you will be a WordPress fan for life.

Don’t waste another second!

Get your tickets HERE

Learn more about the speakers HERE

Check out the Birmingham WordCamp 2017 schedule HERE

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Kathy Drewien Reveals the Truths Clients Aren’t Telling at WordCamp Birmingham

Kathy Drewien will provide some of the secrets your clients aren’t telling you – and share tips for getting to the truth.

Session

Psst! Clients Aren’t Telling You the Truth

Maybe it’s about a project that’s gone off track or a website workflow that’s confusing. Or maybe they’re not sharing their thoughts on ways their business could grow its sales or improve operations.

By demonstrating your ability to be truly authentic at each step in the process, you can aim toward creating projects that are more collaborative and ultimately more successful.

Why This Topic?

Sometimes being a master at our craft just ain’t enough when it comes to serving clients. I believe it’s time to move beyond our “war story” projects, learn consulting methods and techniques, and trust ourselves.

What Will You Take Away?

The belief (or glimmer of hope) that it’s possible to:

  • have your expertise better used
  • avoid no-win project situations
  • establish more trusting relationships with clients

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

The WordPress community changed my life. At the simplest level I learned a new skill set for building websites using the WordPress software. As a result, I profit financially. The real power of Community is the people committed to the WordPress Project.

The power is in giving back through participation in Meetups and WordCamps, helping translate WordPress in your language, reporting bugs, testing releases, answering support questions, working with videos for WordPress.tv, writing code, developing plugins, answering questions on support forums, teaching a friend how to use WordPress, and so much more.

Learn More

Website: Kathy Drewien & Company
Twitter: @kdrewien

Don’t waste another second!

Get your tickets HERE

Learn more about the speakers HERE

Check out the Birmingham WordCamp 2017 schedule HERE

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WordCamp Birmingham 2017 Speaker Spotlight – Micah Wood

Micah Wood will cover conceptually what the REST API is, the business and architectural advantages and the basics of how to use the REST API as a developer.

Micah Wood - WordCamp Birmingham - Speaker

Session

Introduction to the WordPress REST API

Why This Topic?

Now that the WordPress REST API is in core, many people have one of two responses: “So what?” and “This changes everything!”. I want to inspire people who don’t quite grasp the REST API to recognize why it is awesome and encourage them to build cool stuff.

What Will You Take Away?

I’d like people to have a better understanding of the WordPress REST API; what it is, why you would use it, and how to use it.

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

The WordPress community is an incredibly welcoming and friendly crowd. Jump in, make friends and do awesome things!

Learn More

Website: WP Scholar
Twitter: @wpscholar

There’s still time!

Get your tickets HERE

Learn more about the speakers HERE

Check out the Birmingham WordCamp 2017 schedule HERE/a>

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Doug Cone Provides Docker Tips at WordCamp Birmingham

Doug Cone will be sharing with you his tips and advice for how to use Docker in day to day development.

Session

Multidev Multi Platform Development with Docker

Why This Topic?

There are a lot of different ways to approach local development, some are much harder than others. I wanted to share what I’ve found works for me after much trial and error.

What Will You Take Away?

You will have a better understanding of Docker and some of the ways that it could be used in your workflow, or why it might not be a good fit for you.

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

Just get started! There’s no best or perfect way to contribute but we can’t use your contributions if you’re still hanging on to them waiting for the perfect time!

Learn More

Website: Doug Cone
Twitter: @nullvariable

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Speaker Spotlight for WordCamp Birmingham 2017 – Bill Robbins

Bill Robbins shares the most significant endpoints in WordPress REST API.

Bill Robbins Speaks at WordCamp Birmingham

Session

Build Your Own Web App With The WordPress REST API

We will introduce the most significant endpoints in the WordPress REST API and have a simple way for you to interact with the API of an actual WordPress website. You will come away with a clear understanding of how to interact with the WordPress REST API and will be given access to a complete mapping of all WordPress REST API endpoints for PostMan.

Why This Topic?

While a lot has been talked about the REST API, finding a complete solution to roll WordPress and a javascript framework into an app is still limited. I’d like to help change that.

What Will You Take Away?

The curiosity, tools and courage to try using an app for their next website.

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

Even when I didn’t know a soul at my first WordCamp, I found lots of approachable and easy going people who are excited about the same things I am. I’ve never wished I had done something else instead of attending a WordCamp or MeetUp.

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Mickey Mellen Takes the Stage to Share Blogging Strategies

Mickey Mellen wants to help you get the “more money” mojo going with your business and website.

Mickey Mellen for WordCamp Birmingham

Session

Blogging strategies for 2018

Finding the time and desire to blog can be tough, so we’ll be talking about blogging and how it can help your business.

Why This Topic?

I’ve learned a lot from other sessions at WordCamp over the years, and this is an area where I see a lot of people struggle.

What Will You Take Away?

The desire to get their blog rolling

Top Advice for Attending WordCamp Birmingham

The WordPress community is absolutely amazing, in that everyone is willing to share every secret they have so that the entire group can grow. Find a local Meetup and stay plugged in throughout the year.

Learn More

Website: Green Mellen Media

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Meet the Keynote Speaker: Brian Krogsgard

If you’ve ever Googled anything about WordPress, you’ve probably come across an article (with a solution to your problem!) by Brian Krogsgard. The fella is just everywhere, y’all.

And this year, he’s at WordCamp Birmingham. As our keynote speaker, Brian tackles a common question we all face on a semi-daily basis: Why WordPress? If there ever was a topical and pertinent keynote address, this one is it.

He runs Post Status, a fantastic resource for WordPress professionals, and puts out the podcast, Post Status Draft. If you haven’t listened to it, then you should definitely load it up in iTunes (or just click through above and give it some ear-time).

So yeah. We are kind of excited to have him speak at the conference, and if you’re interested in getting to know him before you give him a hug attack shake his hand in person, you can find him on Twitter and everywhere WordPress is sold.

Still don’t have a ticket for #wpyall? No problem! Mosey on over to our tickets page and grab one. That way you don’t miss any of the fun, frolicking, or friendship! Disclaimer: frolicking not guaranteed

WordCamp Birmingham 2017 is over. Check out the next edition!