WordCamp Madrid 2025, the largest WordPress Community event in Spain, was held March 7-8, 2025, at CEU, bringing together WordPressers from all over Spain. I had the wonderful opportunity to participate as a volunteer and see firsthand the energy and dedication with which this meeting was organized. This year, with a peculiarity in its curatorship: rescuing the original concept of a WordCamp. What exactly was the goal behind this idea?
“From the beginning of the planning,“ explains team leader Fernando Perez, “we wanted to return to the -Back to WordPress-: learning, branding and presence*, … to highlight that we collaborated for an idea and a project *.” In other words, a gathering to talk only about WordPress, made by members of the community, for members of the community, and open to new audiences. A premise that structured all areas of the event, highlighting activities and synergies where learning, networking, and collaboration were enhanced.
LEARNING
The talks’ curatorship was one of the areas where it could be most appreciated. In a conversation with Fernando Tellado, who was the Team Lead of the Program team, he explained that … “in theory, a WordCamp is a WordPress-themed event, it’s not generic about JavaScript, or marketing, or anything like it. But WordPress can be all-encompassing; there can be marketing tailored to WordPress or using WordPress tools, for example. But in the last few years, people would send us, for example, a talk about mail marketing, and it was zero WordPress.”
With this tendency in mind, Fernando selected talks focused on WordPress and how to use it efficiently. For example, he discarded those on artificial intelligence (two events had already been held), SEO, or Digital Marketing, where it was not explained how to apply it to WordPress. He reflected on this: “People who use it every day don’t learn how to use it efficiently, …and they pay for courses to learn basic things”.
He chose “very WordPress topics” -that’s how he defines them-such as:
- Image management,
- How to use the blocks editor,
- How to configure the backgrounds and typographies,
- How to customize CSS,
- How to make different designs with templates,
- How to efficiently use the layout,
- How to create a WordPress plugin,
- How to check WP plugins,
- Among others.
These contents were organized in talk and workshop formats in the following categories: community, optimization, e-commerce, business, programming, design, marketing, implementation, and accessibility.
Panel Discussion:
After a full day of intense learning, WordCamp Madrid 2025 closed with a panel discussion: “The Future of WordPress”. A very interesting because it invites you to reflect on the impact of the “WordPress drama” on the continuity of the project. The moderator, Fernando Tellado, began by briefly explaining the “legal litigation” affecting co-founder Matt Mullenweg. He then launched a question to each of his guests, who had to answer in 30 seconds. This added a lot of dynamics to their speeches.
People with varied profiles were included. Each one expressed a personal vision influenced by their career experience. Their perspectives helped shape a summary of the various aspects and how these impact their users.
The designers Ana Cirujano, Delia Carballo Eguiguren, and Esther Morote agreed that their clients are not aware of the “WordPress drama”, some do not even know the details of how their websites are made. For this reason, it does not affect them directly for the moment.
Juan Hernando, a contributor to the community team, tells how human resources have decreased. From multiple contributors sponsored by Automattic, they have gone down to one or two. “This is not sustainable, so it is time for other people and other companies to collaborate, although it is difficult to match Automattic’s participation.
Héctor de Prada, speaking from the sponsor’s perspective, thinks that depending on who wins the litigation, there may be different changes. If Matt Mullenweg wins, it will set a precedent for how companies contribute, and if the other side wins, there may be many unexpected changes. In addition, he points out that it would be important for sponsors to know what each team’s plan of action is, so they know exactly what they are contributing to. “It affects all of us,” he says, ”regardless of whether our clients know what is going on or not.”
Alvaro Gomez Velasco, developer and Happiness Engineer at Automattic, is concerned about the existence of the open web in the next 10 or 15 years. “That principle is in jeopardy right now,” he says, ”they send you a video link on Instagram, but you can’t log in because you don’t have a session or an account.”
Together, they created an overview that illustrates some of the positions and concerns about the current legal status of the software. What conclusion did they come to about the future of WordPress?
COLLABORATION
Another highlight was Contributor Day. It was held on March 7 also at the Montepríncipe campus of CEU San Pablo University. This was an opportunity to contribute to the community while interacting with colleagues who normally work remotely and with asynchronous communication. New participants, jump right into one of the teams of their choice. This time many regular contributors gathered in the Community, WordPress TV, WordPress Photo, Plugins, Support, and other teams.
Juan Hernando told me that he arrived with a hangover at the Contributor Day of WordCamp Cantabria 2015. He needed to sit down and unintentionally did so next to Rocía Valdivia and Ibon Azkoitia. They left him “with a crazy head”, as he stated in our conversation. Since then, he has been an active contributor to the community and is currently the Program Manager of the WordPress global community team. Yes, the one who approves the WordCamps.
The WordCamp per se is a collaborative event. The organizers spent half a year or more preparing the project. We often don’t know who they are, but without them, it wouldn’t be possible. The speakers were also volunteers, and they were the owners of the “show”; we gathered to see them. The sponsors were the ones who financed the project with their economic resources.
Finally, the volunteers set everything in motion and energized the whole atmosphere with their hospitality. The organization was precise, facilitating everyone’s tasks. We alternated between various activities, with my favorite being the timekeeper. I want to mention the photographers distributed throughout the venue and on the lookout for memorable moments. Among them were Nilo Velez, Sebastián Echevarri, Roberto Vázquez (Weiko), Fede Padilla and Paco Marchante.
NETWORKING
Networking was another facet of WordCamp Madrid 2025. Several dynamics were created to increase interactions among participants. Everything started with accreditation. For first-time attendees, we added a cat footprint sticker; this way, it would be easy for the rest to identify them and help them to integrate and interact with others.
Once again, the Connect Zone was implemented. Attendees found here a networking space with two forms: I offer and I need. In this way, services were exchanged or new contacts were made. You could sit down and leave your name, your email, and your message on a card. Gustavo Galati and Sara Saez helped in the process and also searched through the cards to find like-minded people. According to Gustavo, there was a high level of participation and acceptance.
The speakers’ dinner was also a highlight. Here, sponsors, speakers, organizers, and volunteers got to know each other while enjoying excellent catering. We met at El Lago de Boadilla, a restaurant with a very nice view of a lake, for a cozy and elegant dinner.
A different dynamic was also created with the sponsors. Inside the swag bag was a card called “Carné por puntos”. You had to visit 10 sponsors, each of whom would give you a stamp. Once completed, you could turn it in to participate in the final drawing.
I didn’t win anything, but by interacting with all the sponsors, I learned about their services and picked up some merchandising. The truth is that every day they make more effort to create interesting “souvenirs”. From all these “trophies”, I selected three winners:
- The WordPress.com bag. Big, practical, and strong, the colored letters give it a very chic touch. A totally fashionable item.
- The WordCamp sweatshirt. Very comfortable and warm, it’s my star garment for next fall.
- The Hostinger’s granola. A total surprise, it was really good, no need to add milk.
WOMEN’S DAY
WordCamp Madrid 2025 was held on March 8th, International Women’s Day, and of course, they didn’t let it go unnoticed. We all wore purple t-shirts, the symbolic color of International Women’s Day in Spain, and we were also welcomed by a stage filled with pink, a color also associated with women. This year, they also had a playroom sponsored by Factoría Digital. We took a very unusual family photo: just girls. Here’s a small album of photos of the girls. The tech world is still predominantly male, but there are more of us every day.
PRODUCCIÓN:
The staging of the event looked very elegant. The interpretation of the branding designed by Ana Cirujano for WordCamp Madrid 2023 was very interesting. On that occasion, she used the symbols of Madrid. In 2025, a joint work was done. Santiago Cerro replaced the bear with the cat, creating a very positive surprise effect, as the attendees smiled pleasantly when they saw it. Maylén García created the web poster, and Elsa Tapia adapted it to all the signage. This way we saw the cat on the stage, in the photocall, and the rest of the posters. A very creative branding that did not leave behind a wink to Women’s Day. Let’s remember that WordCamp Madrid 2025 was held on March 8th, and we all wore purple t-shirts, the color symbol of Women’s Day in Spain.
The careful production integrated very well with the venue: the building of the Escuela Politécnica Superior de la Universidad CEU San Pablo, on the campus of Montepríncipe in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid). Here, architecture, design, and engineering are the major specialties. This modern architectural complex was designed by architects Iñaqui Carnicero, Alejandro Virseda, and Miguel Ángel Cámara.
The design of the building stands out for its integration into its surroundings and the functionality of its spaces. It is characterized by a semi-excavated plaza that connects the meeting and training areas, and by the use of materials such as zinc on its façade. It is considered an outstanding example of contemporary educational architecture in Spain, combining aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.
WordCamp Madrid 2025 used part of its facilities, such as the large and pleasant Aula Magna, of which it is worth noting from an architectural point of view that it is clad with stained beech panels. The color of the wood combined very well with the design of the stage, where a giant screen was added, which served as a backdrop, and where the poster of the event, plus all the information related to the presentations, was projected. In addition, some corporeal letters with the initials of WP were included. The stage also served as an attractive photocall, very popular among the attendees. One of the most successful stages in recent times in the WordCamp Spain universe.
The event rooms, the cafeteria, and the hall were part of the setting. All spaces were located on the same level, thus facilitating movement and accessibility.
Of course, to close, the traditional Afterparty, where we continued talking, exchanging, eating, and dancing. A special moment when we slowed down the pace of the technical chats and the more informal conversations arrived. It was perfect to continue sharing ideas, make new friends, and reconnect with old friends.
FINAL:
Among all the current movements, litigation, and a competitive and rapidly changing technology market, WordCamp Madrid 2025 focused its event on “Back to WordPress”, highlighting content directly related to the CMS, encouraging participation in Contributor Day, and fostering the growth of the community through networking. By doing so, they brought attention to the unifying ideas that have kept the community growing for twenty-two years in a row. What will happen to WordPress? A debate that was very timely raised at WordCamp, we still don’t know, but it’s worth going back to the origins and simply talking about the topic that occupies this community: WordPress.
Many thanks to all who made this event possible, for all your effort, time, and passion to organize as many details as possible creating a favorable environment for learning, sharing, and collaborating. It has been a pleasure to participate as a volunteer. I look forward to your next WordCamp, see you Madrid!
If you want to know more about WordCamp Madrid 2025:
Un billete a Chattanooga. Episodio 299: Reviú de WordCamp Madrid 2025
Fotos oficiales de la WordCamp
Citas:
* Fernando López. https://madrid.wordcamp.org/2025/blog/wordcamp-madrid-2025-un-subidon-de-energia-y-comunidad/
*Fernando López. https://madrid.wordcamp.org/2025/blog/wordcamp-madrid-2025-un-subidon-de-energia-y-comunidad/
*Talk with Fernando Tellado
*Talk with Juan Hernando
*Talk with Elsa Tapia
Fuentes:
Fernando López. https://madrid.wordcamp.org/2025/blog/wordcamp-madrid-2025-un-subidon-de-energia-y-comunidad/
Talk with Héctor de Prada
Talk with Fernando Tellado
Talk with Elsa Tapia
Talk with Juan Hernando
Fotos:
Lena Iñurrieta, Sebastian Echeverri, Fede Padilla, Nilo Velez, Roberto Vázquez (Weiko), Paco Marchante.
