Meetup Organizer Newsletter: August 2024

Schedule Your State of the WordState of the Word This is the annual report given by Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress at WordCamp US. It looks at what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and the future of WordPress. https://wordpress.tv/tag/state-of-the-word/. Watch Party, WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. US 2024, and more!

Hello WordPress MeetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. Organizers,

As the season winds down, we’re gearing up for an exciting season of WordPress events. This month’s newsletter is packed with tips and resources to help you make the most of your MeetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook., from scheduling a State of the Word watch party to harnessing the power of WordCamp US 2024. Let’s dive in!

Don’t Wait – Schedule Your State of the Word 2024 Watch Party Now!

Banner with red background and the words "State of the Word 2024."

State of the Word 2024 is happening on December 16 at 9:00 UTC, and it’s the perfect opportunity to bring your WordPress community together. This annual event is a cornerstone for the WordPress open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. project, offering a look back at the year’s milestones and a preview of what’s to come.

Why not turn this event into a community gathering? We encourage you to host a watch party for your local Meetup group. Whether you stream the event live or watch the recording together afterward, it’s an ideal chance to connect, discuss, and celebrate WordPress with your local community.

To make your event a success, we prepared a detailed State of the Word watch party guide with tips on planning, promoting, and hosting your watch party. This resource includes everything you need to create an engaging and well-attended event.

Don’t miss this chance to gather your community for an inspiring event. Schedule your watch party today!

Update Meetup Notification Settings To Receive Important Updates

It’s crucial for Meetup organizers to stay informed with the latest updates from WordPress. To ensure you receive important notifications from WordPress, take a moment to update your meetup.com account settings:

  1. Click on your circular ‘Profile’ button in the upper right-hand corner of meetup.com.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Choose Email Updates.
  4. Make sure the ‘Updates from Meetup Pro Networks’ toggle is ON.

This screenshot shows the steps:

Screenshot of meetup.com Settings page (email updates section)

Set the Tone in the First 5 Minutes of Your Event

The first five minutes of your Meetup are crucial for setting a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. Priya Parker, in her essay “The Magic of a Good Opening,” highlights the importance of a strong start. Here’s how you can apply these principles to your Meetup:

  • Welcome with Intention: Start with a warm and genuine greeting that acknowledges both new and returning members, making everyone feel valued.
  • Establish a Shared Purpose: Clearly articulate the Meetup’s purpose, whether it’s networking, learning, or collaboration. This aligns expectations and fosters community.
  • Break the Ice: Use a simple icebreaker to help attendees relax and connect. A question related to WordPress or the event’s theme can spark conversation.
  • Set Expectations: Outline the event structure briefly to help manage energy and keep the event on track.

By thoughtfully crafting these opening moments, you create a space where participants feel connected and excited to contribute. For more inspiration, check out Parker’s short essay

Harness WordCamp US 2024 Sessions for Your Meetup Group

WordCamp US 2024 is just around the corner, from September 17 to 20! Explore the WordCamp US 2024 schedule to find sessions that could inspire your Meetup members. All talks will be live-streamed and recorded, so even those who can’t attend in person can gather to watch and discuss the sessions together.

Additionally, consider organizing a Showcase Day inspired by WordCamp US, where local developers and designers can present their most inspiring projects. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate community talent and inspire others.

Meetups of the Month

Photo of 30 smiling and waving people on a sandy beach with palm trees in the background.
Malaga, Spain WordPress Meetup
Photo of a person holding a microphone
Taoyuan, Taiwan WordPress Meetup
10 people standing in a row posing for a photograph
Rabat, Morocco WordPress Meetup

Meetup Organizers, We Want to Feature You!

We love highlighting Meetups from around the world in our newsletters. Want your Meetup to be featured? Share a picture with the Community team! Rename your picture as “Meetup-name_event-date” and upload it here in jpg or png format. Remember to ask permission from your group members before taking and sharing photos.


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💡Need Support or Guidance From the WordPress Global Community TeamGlobal Community Team A group of community organizers and contributors who collaborate on local events about WordPress — monthly WordPress meetups and/or annual conferences called WordCamps.?

If you have any questions, Community Team deputiesProgram Supporter Community Program Supporters (formerly Deputies) are a team of people worldwide who review WordCamp and Meetup applications, interview lead organizers, and keep things moving at WordCamp Central. Find more about program supporters in our Program Supporter Handbook. are here to help. Please email us at support@wordcamp.org or join the #community-events Slack channel. Thanks for everything you do to grow and support the WordPress community — let’s keep sharing knowledge and inspiring each other with our contributions!

See you online soon!

The following people contributed to this edition of the Meetup newsletter: @bjmcsherry, @devinmaeztri, @harishanker, and @juliarosia.

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