Hola, November Adventures! 🌞
November was a whirlwind for me — and honestly, I’m not even sure how I ended up saying “yes” to a Spanish trip and some vacation time during Black Friday season! But you know what? It was absolutely worth it.
Let me share my journey to WordCamp Grinón in Spain, one of the highlights of the month.
Local WordCamps: A Unique Experience 📅
If you’ve ever been to a global WordCamp event, you know they’re massive.
But local WordCamps?
Oh, they’re something special. Each local event has its own unique theme and purpose, drawing in a diverse crowd and a variety of topics.
Did you know that the Spanish WordPress Community is one of the most active in organizing WordCamps? They host these events regularly — monthly, even! I was amazed when I learned this.
WordCamp Grinón, in particular, focused on eCommerce, so our team knew we had to attend. It felt like the perfect opportunity to connect with a vibrant community and learn more about how our products align with their needs.
And spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!
The Adventure Begins 🚀
Our trip started with a bit of a journey: I traveled all the way from Ukraine, bringing along my sister for an added adventure. We landed in Madrid and made our way to Grinón the day before the event to set up our sponsored table and, of course, rest after the road. (Traveling can be exhausting, right?)
The day of the event was incredible.
Visitors flocked to our table, drawn by our swag, curious about our team, and eager to learn about our product. It was so energizing to connect with the Spanish WordPress Community.
Despite the language barrier (we’ll get to that in a minute), their warmth and enthusiasm made it all worthwhile.
To add a personal touch, I brought some Ukrainian gifts for a little giveaway. They were a hit! It’s amazing how small gestures can create meaningful connections. 🇺🇦
Contributor Day: Lessons Learned
Now, here’s where we hit a bit of a snag. Contributor Day was a little tricky for us because most of the discussions were in Spanish. Our team wasn’t fluent enough to contribute effectively, so we decided to wrap up our trip early and focus on reporting and reflecting instead.
This was a lesson for us: understanding the local language can significantly enhance the experience and the value you bring to the table.
Key Takeaways 🎯
Looking back, here are my top lessons and insights:
- Know the Language Local WordCamps are exactly that: local. Knowing the language of the region can make a world of difference when engaging with the community. While many people spoke English, some only communicated in Spanish, which limited our interactions.
- A More Intimate Experience Local events differ greatly from global ones. They provide more opportunities to connect directly with your target audience, listen to their feedback, and establish genuine connections.
- Customer Insights There’s nothing quite like hearing from customers directly. Meeting new users and gaining insights into their needs was invaluable for our team.
Wrapping Up 🛌
Despite some challenges, WordCamp Grinón was an unforgettable experience. It reminded me of the importance of community and how events like these help bridge gaps between people, products, and cultures. If you ever get the chance to attend a local WordCamp, I say go for it! (And maybe brush up on the local language beforehand. 😉)
Until next time, WordPress friends! 👋
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