Shortly after WordCamp NYC 2015 ended, the team held a retrospective meeting to discuss what went well and gauge interest for 2016. We had serious doubts about the venue we had used for the last two years – availability was a concern and costs were rising more than we could justify. We began by recruiting new team members to even make the venue search a productive endeavor.

In mid January, our team grew concerned as the previous venue neglected to respond to our queries. It looked like we would not have a WordCamp this year.

Just about this time, Open Camps contacted us – would WordCamp NYC be interested in being part of a larger series of Open Source conferences? The series would take place at the United Nations in the summer, and would include Drupal Camp, PyConf, React Camp, and Angular Camp – just to name just a few. We agreed to meet with their representative – we had nothing to lose and it could have amazing potential.

We learned that this event is part of an open source initiative sponsored by the United Nations. The UN wants to bring the various Open Source communities together as a positive force for change. The UN offered use of their space during their week of recess as a way of facilitating this end. As a result of previous commitments and space requirements we were offered the weekend opposite the Drupal Camp.

At events we often hear various Open Source projects criticizing each other. This event is an opportunity, in the spirit of GPL software, to truly ‘democratize publishing’. Imagine a week long event celebrating, discussing and learning about varying Open Source projects. When we choose Open Source we all benefit.

Please follow this link to the new WordCamp NYC 2016 site.

We have live caption on site this year.  To follow along on the Internet, use the links below

Captioning in Brooklyn Track

Captioning in Bronx Track

Captioning in Manhattan Track

Captioning in Queens Track

In case you missed last week’s news, we will NOT be providing lunch at this year’s event, but will have coffee and snack breaks throughout the weekend.

The following neighborhood restaurants are graciously extending the following discounts throughout the weekend when you present your WordCamp NYC Badge:

Hawa Smoothie & Bubble Tea – $0.50 off all smoothies, fresh juices and bubble teas

Wild Ginger – 20% off

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar – 10% off

Hill Country BBQ – 15% off

*  We will update this post with any other specials we snag.
REGISTER for WordCamp NYC then make a plan for lunch or dinner this weekend!

Any discounts listed require you to present your WordCamp NYC 2015 badge for eligibility and are at the discretion of the restaurant Manager

New York City is known for its round-the-clock entertainment and activities that take place throughout the 5 boroughs on any given day. This weekend is no exception – expect transportation delays when traveling to and from WordCamp NYC, taking place at the Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge.

Saturday is the annual Village Halloween Parade from 7:00 – 10:00PM, a few stops away in lower Manhattan along 6th Avenue.

At 2:00AM on Sunday, Nov 1 Daylight Savings Time ends, so don’t forget to turn your clocks back before heading to sleep on Saturday night – enjoy that extra hour of sleep, Halloween or World Series fun!

On Sunday, the New York City Marathon will take place throughout the 5 boroughs so check the route map and closure information in case you have to take an alternate route to the Marriott.

As New Yorkers we know you have to believe – could you believe the New York Mets are playing game 3, 4 and possibly 5 of the World Series at City Field in Flushing, Queens over the weekend?

Our transportation page has details on the many different transportation options available to the Downtown Brooklyn area – for transit updates on subways, buses, bridge & tunnels, LIRR and Metro-North, check mta.info and the October calendar page. If visiting from New Jersey, check out NJTransit.com for weekend updates.

Get your ticket and make WordCamp NYC 2015 part of your weekend fun!

Plan Ahead – Expect Delays – Keep Calm – Enjoy WordCamp NYC 2015

With our Saturday program taking place on Halloween, many of you must be wondering “what’s up with costumes?”

Though we don’t have any Halloween-specific events happening, we are sure the seasonal spirit will be in the air. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to wear a costume, but it is certainly not required.

Scouring Twitter you get a sense that there will likely be many in attendance making an appearance in costume – that is, if they can get it together in time.

Michelle Schulp makes us all feel warm and fuzzy inside with her hat of everyone’s favorite open-source mascot, Wapuu! (Can’t wait to see it this weekend in person).

Rami Abraham’s costume should prove to be entertaining as he tries to figure out how exactly to keep the shape of a slice of pizza in place while teaching us how to avoid common WP problems.

There may be some animal costume sightings as well, if some of us can make it happen. Whatever you choose is fine by us – fun and clean, family humor are always welcome.

Get your ticket and join us, as we learn, share and do it up WordPress style this weekend in NYC!

WordCamp NYC is about a week away – this is the perfect time to make a plan! The following information should help you better prepare for the big weekend:

The schedule has been published so you don’t have to wait to decide on your must-see sessions. Take a look at our transportation page for more travel info, and be sure to plan ahead – keep checking mta.info for transportation changes in effect all weekend.

If you plan on participating in Contributor day be sure to use the separate sign-up form to properly register.

Breakfast will not be served on Friday, but we will have coffee and tea service starting at 10:00AM, and a Salty Sweet treat break starting at 2:00PM. Whenever you feel you need a break for lunch there are plenty of nearby options.

On Saturday and Sunday, we will have coffee, tea and morning snacks like bagels and muffins from 8:15-10:15AM.

After that, coffee and tea service will be available throughout the day during scheduled sessions, so be sure to enjoy as much coffee and tea as you can all weekend long!

We will NOT be providing lunch this year, instead we will break from 12:00-2:00PM so you can grab a bite at one of the many nearby restaurants.

Starting at 2:30PM, pass by the sponsor area outside the session rooms for sweet treats and more coffee or tea – Saturday we will have a Super Chocoholic experience and Sunday will be a Bensonhurst feast featuring cannolis, tiramisu and other Italian favorites.

Immediately following Saturdays sessions, keep the conversations going down the block at Hill Country BBQ from 5-8PM, in the upstairs lounge.

If BBQ isn’t your thing, you can find a restaurant in the area to grab something else then come over and catch up on the fun, or head out to experience Halloween in NYC – the choice is yours – wherever the weekend takes you, we hope you have an enjoyable experience making new friends, running into some old ones and learning as much as you can!