My First WordCamp Experience: WordCamp Dhaka 2019

Before joining WordCamp Dhaka 2019, I honestly had no clear idea what WordCamp was.

If you are also in the same position today, wondering what WordCamp is and why people are so excited about it, then this series is for you.

To put it simply, WordCamp is a community-driven WordPress conference where people come together to learn, share, connect, and celebrate their work around the open web.

Around the world, WordPress Events have now reached more than 1,400 events across hundreds of cities and 70+ countries. Every year, dozens of local and regional WordCamps happen in different parts of the world, along with three major flagship events:

• WordCamp Asia
• WordCamp Europe and
• WordCamp US.

But for me, the journey did not start with a flagship event. It started with a local WordCamp.

And not just any local WordCamp. It started with WordCamp Dhaka 2019, the first-ever WordCamp in Dhaka.

At that time, I had joined weDevs only three months earlier. Inside the office, I could see people talking about WordCamp with so much excitement. Everyone seemed busy, energetic, and deeply connected with the event.

And I was wondering, what is so special about WordCamp?

Why are people so excited about it?

I had no previous experience with the WordPress community. I knew WordPress as a platform, but I did not understand the strength of the community behind it. So when WordCamp Dhaka 2019 came, I joined it with curiosity.

And that curiosity turned into one of my most memorable experiences.

WordCamp Dhaka 2019 was also the first WordCamp in Dhaka, so the energy was different. The venue was full of people who were connected by one common thing: WordPress. Developers, designers, marketers, content writers, business owners, freelancers, community leaders, and many more people came together in one place.

For me, that was something new.

I saw booths from well-known WordPress companies. I met people who were building products, offering services, contributing to the community, and sharing their knowledge. It was not just an event. It felt like a gathering of people who were proud to be part of something bigger.

One of the most exciting parts for me was collecting swags.

Before attending WordCamp, I did not even know what “swag” meant in this context. But when I saw people collecting t-shirts, stickers, notebooks, and other fun items from different company stalls, I also became excited. I still remember the joy of visiting booths, talking to people, and collecting those small but meaningful things.

It may sound simple, but for a first-time attendee, it made the experience even more enjoyable.

Along with the fun part, there was also a lot to learn.

I attended several knowledge-sharing sessions. Some sessions helped me understand WordPress from a broader perspective. On the other hand, some sessions introduced me to the people behind the community. Some gave me ideas about how WordPress was creating opportunities for businesses, professionals, and contributors in Bangladesh.

As a beginner in that environment, I felt inspired.

I also got to know many community leaders and connected with many new people. That was one of the biggest takeaways for me. WordCamp was not only about listening to sessions. It was also about meeting people, starting conversations, and understanding how a community grows when people support each other.

And then came the quiz session.

The whole hall room became full of excitement. Everyone was participating, cheering, laughing, and enjoying the moment together. It was loud, fun, and full of energy. That quiz session made me feel that WordCamp was not just a professional event. It was also a celebration of community spirit.

Looking back now, WordCamp Dhaka 2019 was more than my first WordCamp.

It was my first real introduction to the WordPress community.

I entered the event with questions but I left with inspiration.

I understood why people were so excited and why they cared. And most importantly, I understood that WordPress was not only about websites or plugins. It was about people, learning, sharing, and growing together.

That first WordCamp opened a new door for me.

Later, I attended more WordCamps. I joined some as an attendee, some as a panel discussion member, some as a speaker, and eventually, I also became an organizer.

But WordCamp Dhaka 2019 will always remain special. Because that was where my WordCamp journey began.

Now I would love to hear from you. What was your first WordCamp?

Share your first WordCamp memory in the comments. I would love to know how your WordCamp journey began.