My heart is full of joy and gratitude as I write this blog post. We just concluded WordCamp Bhopal 2023 and what an absolute triumph it was! For all those who do not know me, my name is Aditya and I am the lead organizer of WordCamp Bhopal 2023, and for all those who do, well you know the drill! Through this blog post, I’d like to extend heartfelt appreciation from the WCBhopal team to all of you who played a pivotal role in bringing WCBhopal to fruition. This journey indeed has been a remarkable one, one which couldn’t have embarked upon without the commitment of our sponsors, dedication of our speakers, our backend supporters, hard work of our team.
So it all began over a year ago with a passing mention of the thrill attached to hosting WordCamps & the opportunities it brings to the host location. Next that we know it was filled with a myriad of discussions, ideations, research, challenges and countless hours of meticulous planning and coordination. However, with the unwavering support of the whole WordPress Bhopal community, the zeal of the whole organising team, the partner communities, it feels surreal that our vision turned into a reality at par.
In wrapping up WordCamp Bhopal 2023, we reflect on the essence that drove this event: inclusivity, sustainability, and diversity. Inspired by WordPress’s commitment to openness and sustainability, we aligned our event with India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Our aim was to play a meaningful part in fostering a greener and more sustainable future for all.
In our dedication to inclusivity, we provided complimentary tickets and student discounts, thanks to the generous support of our ticket giveaway sponsors like Vachan Kudmule, SEOPress, Elicus, Flexicloud, WPRemote, and Ucartz. We made sure everyone’s dietary needs were met by arranging a Jain dish at each event.
WordCamp Bhopal 2023 had a broader mission—to bring the culture of tech to Bhopal and empower the student population. We organized pre-event open sessions, focusing on students and enhancing their skills, bridging the knowledge gap and fostering active usage of WordPress.
Representing the vibrant local community of Bhopal, also known as the City of Lakes, was a priority. The logo of WordCamp Bhopal was inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh, featuring elements from the Gond paintings, symbolizing our deep connection to the local culture, and adding a tint of representation of MP as a Tiger state.
Bhopal, a city adorned with lakes, dams, and lush greenery, nestled between the Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges, provided a stunning backdrop for our event. Our initial gathering at Van Vihar National Park set the tone, as we embarked on an OpenVerse Walk—a nature walk in this green oasis. The walk concluded with a delightful breakfast of poha-jalebi, accompanied by the favorite kullad chai, a perfect epitome of Bhopal’s charm.
The five events that constituted WordCamp Bhopal 2023 received an overwhelming outpouring of love and support from the attendees. Whether it was the early risers joining the OpenVerse Walk or the enthusiastic contributors in the Contributor Day at Zappian, the energy was unparalleled and contagious. It was indeed a testament to the passion and dedication of the attendees.
The first day concluded with an exclusive before-event gala dinner, setting the stage for the exciting days to follow. The evening was filled with enthralling moments and networking, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating what lay ahead at Radisson.
The main day of WordCamp Bhopal 2023 was a bustling hub of activity, featuring two parallel running tracks, sponsor booths, and a diverse and engaged attendee base. The day was brimming with opportunities to form connections, network, collect swags, and capture memories in pictures.
For many attendees, this was their first experience with WordCamp, while for others, it served as a reinvigorating restart. WordCamp Bhopal became a significant platform, reigniting forgotten yet important trends and fostering a sense of rejuvenation within the community.
The day reached its crescendo at the lively After Party, where attendees let loose, dancing to the tunes spun by the DJ, creating an unforgettable and joyous conclusion to the two day WordCamp Bhopal 2023.
The success of WordCamp Bhopal 2023 was made possible by several crucial elements – the generous support and contributions of our sponsors, the valuable insights shared by our speakers, the eager thirst for knowledge and engagement from our attendees, and, above all, the efforts of our dedicated organizing team.
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors! Your pivotal support played a significant role in turning WordCamp Bhopal from an idea into a reality. Your generosity and dedication to supporting the WordPress community are deeply appreciated, and we are profoundly grateful for your contributions. Our platinum sponsors JetPack, BlueHost, Go Daddy, SiteGround, WeGlot, Youstable, Accuweb, MPseDC; our gold sponsor SEOPress; our silver sponsors Woo Commerce, Softaculous, Elicus, Softspace Solutions, Ucartz, WP Remote; and last but not the least our Bronze sponsor WPoets, N99 Panel, Peenak Solutions, Flexicloud, WPVibes, Brandconn Ltd. We extend our gratitude to Zappian, our venue sponsor for the Contributor Day, and our micro sponsors- Gaurav Verma, Meher Bala, Hemant Dubey, Vachan Kudmule, & Yash Rai. You all have been our backbone and we’re thankful for your support.
To our speakers, we extend our sincerest gratitude for stepping up and generously sharing your knowledge and insights with the eager audience at WordCamp Bhopal 2023. Your contributions were not only inspiring but also highly educational. We carefully curated our lineup of speakers, aiming for diversity and transparency within our team. Our goal was to present a rich and varied array of voices, including female presenters and first-time WordCamp speakers. This approach enriched the event, reflecting the inclusivity that WordPress proudly represents. (Know more about our speakers)
This note would not failing without due recognition to our team members for their sincerity and dedication throughout! The success of the event saw the light of day because of these exceptional individuals who tirelessly balanced various crucial roles.
Starting from Astha, the co-lead organizer, for her outstanding contributions and pivotal role in shaping the success of WordCamp Bhopal. Kripesh and Hrishish went above and beyond to secure sound sponsorships, and dedicating countless hours to ensure the event’s triumph. There attitude of taking up work with readiness and handling them all with efficiency, is what made them an asset to this team.
Atharva took charge of all speaker-related responsibilities, and despite his exams falling on the same days as the event, he made sure to contribute in whatever way possible.
In laying the foundation of our Social Media initiatives, Astha played a key role. Pooja, with her exceptional contributions, led the social media efforts and related marketing strategy, ensuring that WordCamp Bhopal received the attention it rightfully deserved. A big shout-out to our wonderful volunteers Arpit, Mansi, Sanskriti, and Shashank. The credit for the captivating video you all witnessed during the event’s concluding note goes to Shashank and the rest of the Social Media team.
Yash (aka Yashwardhan) managed our blogs, along with Ishita & Peehu, ensuring our event’s online presence was engaging and informative. The event’s templates and designs were brought to life by our design and graphics team—Sumit, Priya, along with Parv and Juhi, all of whom worked tirelessly to create captivating designs in alignment with the WCBhopal theme this year.
Pranjal and Vansh joined hands with our Outreach team—Pranjal focused on venue checks and arrangements, while Vansh handled interactions with media houses.
Deepansh and Shivam played pivotal roles in designing and maintaining our official website, ensuring that attendees had easy access to all the information they needed. The professionalism Deepansh always brought to the team has been inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you to our other invaluable volunteers— Rishika Soni, and Utkarsh Gupta—who were very helpful during the event. Your dedication and hard work made a significant difference in making WordCamp Bhopal 2023 a resounding success.
Special thanks to the team from WordPress Central- right from our mentor Yam Chhetri for his readily support towards clarifications required and providing wise solutions to all problems that arose, to Devin and Julia Golamb for their support in making WCBhopal incredible.
This note also extends to all those fraternities and individuals who were not directly part of the team but always were eager to help in whichever way possible! To the supporting actors- community members including but not limited to Abhishek Deshpande, Nebu John; sister communities including GDG Cloud Bhopal, GDSC SOIT, GDSC LNCT; individuals in Sharif Eunus, Nidhi Singh from City Bhaskar, Ratnesh Sonar, Rehan, and media hourses incl. Peoples Samachar, Naidunia, Raj Express- thanks a bunch for being a part of #WCBhopal 2023 family!
WordCamp Bhopal was the result of unwavering dedication, determination, and the support of an incredibly zealous and giving community. The commitment and enthusiasm of all of you were the driving force behind our success, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.
Thank you to everyone who contributed, attended, and supported WordCamp Bhopal 2023. Your collective efforts have helped us foster a culture of inclusivity, sustainability, and technological advancement, leaving a lasting impact on our community and the world at large.
Grateful beyond expression!