Only Three Days until #WCPMQ. Have you got your ticket?

No matter how much planning and lead time you allow, in the world of IT it always feels like it comes down to the wire to successfully deliver a project. And like an adolescent trying to do a last-minute cram session to prepare for their final exams – with Red Bull in one hand and pen in the other – us organisers have been burning the midnight oil to ensure that come Saturday the 5th of October, WordCamp Port Macquarie is ready for attendees, speakers, and sponsors alike.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what we’ve been up to…

Schedule

We finalised the speakers and locked in the event schedule last week. We’ve been lucky enough to be able to bring you 23 amazing sessions held over two-days, with a wide variety of topics from business, marketing, security, SEO, e-commerce, development, and health.

Make sure you thank the speakers when you see them; they are volunteering their time, and many of them are travelling from out of state at their own expense to attend. We’ve also got a number of local speakers lined up for you, including Luke Bennett, Jenna O’Connell/Mariane Power, Veronica Lind, Cath Fowler, and Jake Jackson.

Attendee Badges

Attendees who’ve purchased a ticket already will receive a unique custom-made environmentally-friendly attendee badge made out of wood, which is then printed on with a laser. Those who purchase in the next three days will still get a badge, but it will be generic.

After the event, the lanyard can be handed back to us and the badges composted, returning to the earth whence it came. Of course, all attendees are welcome to keep their badges as a trophy of sorts should they so desire.

On Site Visit to Charles Sturt University

This week we took a final visit to the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Port Macquaire campus (where WordCamp is being held) to make sure everything is in order for the event. While on sight, Brisbane WordCamp’s official mascot Wapuunder took a tour of the campus.

Professor Eugene Eucalyptus and Wapuunder hanging out at CSU

The inaugural Port Macquarie WordCamp wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of CSU. We are very fortunate that the CSU staff recognise the goals of WordCamp align with their own institution; that is, we both want to share knowledge indiscriminately and strengthen community through education. You’ll see a number of CSU students at WordCamp this weekend, and we hope they get a lot out of the event.

Have you met Sandy yet?

While Wapuunder is a life-size Wapuu, the official mascot of Port Macquarie, Sandy, was only recently born in digital form. Talented designer and co-organiser, Mel Lawrence, created a time-lapse video showing off exactly how Sandy was created:

Talented, ain’t she?!

Small Business Month and Mental Health Month

Coincidentally, WordCamp Port Macquarie coincides with both NSW Small Business Month and Mental Health Month, and we’ve sessions that suit both.

Those small businesses interested in growing their IT presence should consider attending some of these talks:

The health talks we’ve included in the line-up is unique to WordCamp Port Macquarie. A 2014 study made available on beyondblue found that 46% of people surveyed considered their workplace mentally unhealthy, so the idea of the health talks is to start a dialogue to change this stat.

The focus for Mental Health Month this year is sharing your journey. That can be talking with friends and family, connecting with your community (in person or digitally), sharing your story with others, or reaching out to someone who might need your help.

People interested in the health talks should consider attending:

Tickets

If you don’t have a ticket for WordCamp yet, what are you waiting for! For only $55 you get access to two-days of amazing speakers, a huge opportunity for networking (including Saturday night’s after party), and lunch and coffee both days.

See you at WordCamp in three days time!