For WordPress developers and designers, constant learning is only part of the job. New website building tools, technologies, and strategies will always emerge, and staying on top of the latest innovations is vital for those looking to build future-proof websites.
Continuous learning can take the form of virtual classes or simply doing your own research from your favorite sources, but one of the best ways to learn from your peers in the industry is to attend a conference. Whether you attend virtually or in person, conferences are also a great way to stay ahead of the technical curve and network with like-minded professionals.
In addition to the many WordPress WordCamp events, there are dozens of conferences that can be beneficial for developers, designers, marketers, or anyone else with an appetite for knowledge.
As you open up the developer for 2024, be sure to mark some of the following dates, as these will be some of the best conferences for developers (and designers, product marketers, project managers, and more) to attend this year!
Virtual Conferences
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For WordPress developers, DE{CODE} might be the most important conference of the year. WP Engine’s annual virtual developer conference will help you stay up to date with the latest trends shaping WordPress development, as well as new features and functionality in our tools and platform. Plus, DE{CODE} provides a great opportunity to connect with experts who can help you get the most out of the websites you build!
Attendance is free and will take place on March 19 (for North America and APAC audiences) and March 21 (for EMEA audiences). Registration is open now, so head over to our event page now to claim your spot!
If you are unable to attend in person, all sessions will be available on demand in the Resource Center and on our YouTube channel after the conference concludes.
WordPress for business
Industry experts, including WP Engine Agency partners at Big Bite and Human Made, will discuss the powerful enterprise-grade performance businesses find in WordPress.
Over the course of six sessions, they’ll share deep dives and behind-the-scenes insights into businesses using WordPress as the backbone of their digital experience, touching on topics such as security, artificial intelligence, and how open source is accelerating business success .
The free conference takes place on January 18th and will give you all the ammunition you need to show prospective customers how WordPress delivers amazing results at scale.
WP Career Summit
The very next day, on January 19th, you can take advantage of another free conference — this one with a focus on your career. WP Career Summit is a conference for WordPress professionals looking to make connections, hire new talent, or chart a new path.
Two speaking tracks are available: one for WordPress job seekers and one for attendees looking to hire new talent. The conference is hosted by PostStatus, a member-supported community of WordPress professionals.
XtremeJS Webinar
XtremeJS is one of the best web conferences for JavaScript users. Hosted by life michael, it’s a great opportunity to learn JavaScript more deeply. life michael also organizes the XtremePython and XtremeJ conferences for those looking for the latest Python and Java knowledge respectively.
Each of these conferences will take place in April (April 2, 9 and 16) and are all online. Tickets cost $60, so it’s a cost-effective option compared to many other developer conferences.
To find even more developer-focused virtual conferences, check out this list of events from Delicious brains!
Conferences based in the USA
ConveyUX
ConveyUX gives attendees the opportunity to learn the latest in UX, develop their skills, and connect with like-minded peers.
Overarching topics will include how industry experts are adapting their processes in an AI-driven era and how to design for inclusion, and attendees will leave the three-day conference with actionable strategies to improve directly the online experience of their users.
The conference will take place February 27-29, and tickets are available for both the in-person event in Seattle and the virtual experience only.
Developer week
This year’s North American DeveloperWeek conference will take place February 21–23 in San Francisco (the virtual experience will be February 27–29).
Other DeveloperWeek events will also take place throughout the year, including international events and conferences tailored to businesses, cloud developers, and engineering and technical executives.
The DeveloperWeek main conference will cover important topics related to the development of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, microservices architecture and more. Additionally, an expanded DevExec discussion piece will explore topics specific to engineering managers, technology executives, and lead developers.
Make
This event is advertised as a “tech conference and music festival”, so if socializing and networking are important to you, Render is a conference to consider. The three-day conference will be held June 12-14 during Atlanta Tech Week (in Atlanta).
What was once a React/Javascript conference has since grown into a full-scale technical conference with speaking tracks for software engineers, designers, and even business leaders such as product and project managers.
Speakers range from technical experts exploring complex deep dives to overview entry and mid-level technical skills and career development tools. Ticket sales are still in the ‘Early Bird’ phase, so get in your way before prices go up.
THIS Texas Conference
THAT, a self-proclaimed community of geeks, organized the two in-person conferences for the year. THIS Texas Conference will be held in Round Rock (a short drive from WP Engine HQ in Austin!) from January 30th to February 1st, and THIS Wisconsin Conference will be July 29th-August 1st.
While THAT hosts virtual events and “activities” throughout the year, in-person attendees at these two conferences will find themselves seamlessly integrated into a community of highly technical industry experts and peers.
Anyone who is passionate about learning important aspects of mobile, web, cloud, and technical development should consider attending this high-tech summer camp in the middle of the Texas winter.
Conferences based in EMEA
PHP UK Conference
This year will mark the 19th annual PHP UK Conference. From February 15-16, this forum will keep you updated on the most important topics in PHP development and related tools, and the content is tailored specifically to the needs of developers and CTOs.
The two-day, multi-track event takes place every year at The Brewery in the heart of London, where over 400 delegates, speakers and sponsors will gather to discuss all things PHP.
Wey Wey Web
Although no dates have been set for the 2024 conference, the Web Wey Wey conference will likely take place later this year in Malaga, Spain.
The event is organized by Yay-Yay Events with support from Yes We Tech, and as this is a completely non-profit event, all money raised is used to cover expenses such as selected speakers and venue costs.
Past talks from last year’s conference can be found on their YouTube channel—they cover a multitude of topics, from software architecture best practices to mobile development, web accessibility, and more.
Each of these conferences can help you continue to learn and grow in the new year, and will provide ample opportunities to network with other professionals who can help you improve your craft!
For even more virtual facts to consider, check out this post from Delicious Brains.
And be sure to visit WP Engine to learn how our fully managed, all-in-one WordPress hosting platform can help fuel your success this year!
