Hello, Piermario. Which team are you a part of, and what is your role?
Oh, hello! I’m part of the Content Team, as Team Lead.
Where are you from / where are you based?
I’m from Italy, and I live on the island of Sardinia.
When did you first get involved with the WordPress project, and have you contributed to the project previously?
I started fiddling with WordPress around 2007, but it took me some time to actually find out about the Community and get involved. I created my WordPress.org account in 2017 and since then I started contributing in various ways, first as part of the Italian Polyglots Team, and later on as a WordCamp and Meetup organiser.
Is this your first time organising WordCamp Europe, or have you been an organiser/volunteer previously?
This is my second time. Last year I joined the organising team as part of the Content Team halfway through the process. This is the first time I’m a Team Lead at a WordCamp Europe, even though I previously led the Speakers team at WordCamp Italy in 2021 and 2022, as well as WordCamp Torino in 2023. It’s been quite a ride!
Which team are you on, and what is the team responsible for?
I’m part of the Content Team. We are responsible for the selection of speakers, talks and workshops. Most of what attendees will see on stage during WordCamp Europe 2024 is likely part of our job as team.
What are you and your team working on at the moment?
We are working on different tasks. First and foremost promoting the Call for Speakers that we launched about a month ago. Most of all, we want to spread the message that everybody is welcome to apply as a speaker for WordCamp Europe 2024. We are doing our best to create a program that is varied, inclusive, interesting and engaging for attendees at all levels.
We hope to receive lots of applications from a very varied pool of speakers, as we want this event to reflect the whole European WordPress Community.
At the same time, we are also working on drafting the possible schedule of the event. We want WCEU2024 to be rich of great content and engaging sessions, while leaving attendees enough space and time to network, engage with our sponsors, community activities, and meet old and new friends. This is what makes every WordCamp Europe so special.
What are you excited about for WordCamp Europe?
As a Team Lead, honestly I’m very excited about the challenge and opportunity of creating an event that will make everybody feel welcome and give plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, both as WordPress professionals and users, but most of all as humans and part of a big, vibrant Community.
I can’t wait to experience the thrill of another WordCamp Europe, and meeting friends from all over the world, finally not just on Slack!
What would you say to people thinking of applying as an organiser or volunteer for WordCamp Europe?
Go for it! Be part of an event as big as WordCamp Europe is a unique experience, and it gets even more special when you realise that it’s happening also because of the work and passion you put into it. Every contribution matters and is truly valued.
There are plenty of things you can do both as a volunteer and as an organiser. Apply for the role that inspires you the most, of even just what you think you can handle. At the end of the event you’ll be surprised about all the things you did!
Sometimes we tend to think that WordPress is so big that things “just happen” or assume that the project will magically be around forever. Helping as a volunteer or organiser at a WordCamp Europe really gives you a whole new perception of the size and scope of our Community, and what we can do together to make WordPress thrive both right now and in the future.
If you have been on the organising team for previous WCEU’s, what are one or two things you learned from the experience?
I learned to just go with the flow, and that communication is key. Every single member of the team has something valuable to give, and can make a huge difference, at all levels. No idea is irrelevant, and simple solutions and intuitions can go a long way, just make sure to share them with your team!
Also, have fun! WordCamp Europe, like every WordCamp, is our chance to give back to WordPress and show what’s so special about our Community. Be kind, open and curious. Allow yourself to be surprised and make the people you meet feel welcome and safe.
See you in Torino!
