Last week, I went to PressConf 2025 with around 140 other WordPress folks—a far cry from the thousands you’d see at typical conferences, but that’s kind of what made it special.
PressConf brought together leaders in our space, in an environment designed for authenticity.
The intentionally unrecorded, single-track format encouraged raw, authentic, and sometimes controversial perspectives, leading to hallway conversations that yielded fresh takes and knowledge sharing.
AI dominated conversations, and my talk ‘Creating in the Age of AI’ sparked some of my most engaging discussions. In the hallways afterward, folks shared their AI experiments—both the wins and the spectacular failures—while also debating the implications of AI code generation. What struck me most was how candid everyone was about their experiences. These conversations helped push thinking beyond the typical AI hype and into practical, real-world application.
Instead of the usual conference boxed lunches, we ventured out in groups to find food—typically tacos—together. This simple change, combined with most folks staying at the event hotel, created an intimate setting fostering deeper connections that extended beyond casual networking.
I kept running into the same faces throughout PressConf, turning quick hellos into meaningful conversations. It was refreshing to break out of my usual conference habit of sticking with familiar faces and spend time with some of the newcomers who are doing interesting stuff in WordPress.
Looking back, what made PressConf special wasn’t just its size or format—it was the rare chance to have real, unfiltered conversations about where we’re headed.
Fun fact, Pressnomics 2017—the predecessor of sorts to PressConf—was the first “WordPress” event I attended.
Sometimes you really do have to be in the room.
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