Over the years, WordCamp Europe has transformed from a niche gathering into a global event. Although they are impressive, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the stories behind those numbers – the friendships forged, ideas sparked, and businesses built.
This post presents some of the most interesting WordCamp Europe statistics and celebrates the event’s growth, as seen through the eyes of seasoned attendees (that’s us!). Join us as we delve into the data, uncovering what makes WordCamp Europe an essential stop in the WordPress calendar.
Whether you’re a WordCamp veteran or contemplating your first visit, we hope this journey resonates with your own experiences and inspires you for the future.
And for those who love a visual snapshot, we’ve crafted an infographic that captures some of the most interesting WordCamp Europe statistics. You’ll find it at the bottom of this post.
👉 Skip to the infographic 📊🖼️
WordCamp Europe statistics: attendance trends, growth, and resilience
Starting in Leiden, The Netherlands (2013), with 750 attendees, WordCamp Europe saw a steady climb, peaking at 2734 attendees in Berlin (2019). But it’s the year 2016 that stole the show, with attendance more than doubling compared to the previous year!
When the world went online in 2020, so did WordCamp, pulling in a staggering 8756 virtual attendees. The subsequent in-person rebound in 2022 and 2023, quite surprisingly, was “business as usual,” restarting WordCamp’s vibrant and resilient community and going back to 2400+ attendees.
Vienna was hot! Not like Seville hot, but still… 🙂 Yes, we got an increase in all aspects of the conference: number of attendees, number of volunteers, speakers, and that is how I remember Vienna and 2016 – double in numbers on all fronts.
Vienna set the bar higher and separated WCEU from the previous editions. Apart from solving all the problems that came up, it was a big learning opportunity for all of us. Next year, we doubled on the number of organizers.
Fun fact, for Vienna, we only had two organizers leading the Volunteers team, and there were over 160 volunteers.
WordCamp Europe statistics: global reach and bridging continents
WordCamp’s allure isn’t just European; it’s global. Almost half the world’s countries – by the numbers – had its representation in 2019 in Berlin. After that, the shift to online expanded WordCamp’s reach even further, connecting tech enthusiasts from 140 countries. This diversity highlights WordCamp’s role in bridging continents and cultures.
I started as a volunteer in Leiden 2013, I was so scared but the experience was amazing and it has been like that ever since. I joined the organising team in 2018 as part of the volunteers team.
I rejoined the team for the first live edition after the pandemic and became the team lead for the Volunteers team in Athens which was a personal dream come true.
The volunteers that we worked with in Athens were amazing. We had a huge team but unfortunately also a lot of people were not able to make it but that did not impact the even as the volunteers that were there stepped up en huge way and made sure everything ran smoothly. And I couldn’t be more proud of that.
I am already looking forward to Torino and as one of the Lead Organisers I am super excited and ready to make another amazing event.
A platform for leaders: speakers and contributors
From its humble beginnings in 2013 with 37 speakers, to 102 speakers in 2023 – WordCamp has become a stage for thought leaders.
Traditionally, WordCamp attendees can always count on hearing from WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg. Be it a Q&A session, or a full keynote speech, Mullenweg always fills us in on what’s next on WordPress’ roadmap.
Contributor Day, too, saw exponential growth over the years, fostering collaboration and innovation. It went from 150 contributors in 2013 to 658 in 2023. These trends emphasize WordCamp’s commitment to community collaboration.
WordCamp Europe statistics: volunteers and community engagement
Volunteers are WordCamp’s heartbeat, growing from 50 in 2013 to 142 in 2023.
With a decrease in the attendee-to-volunteer ratio from 15:1 to 8:1 in 2017, WordCamp continues to enhance the attendee experience. Tailored organizer teams further reflect this commitment, showing that WordCamp isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people.
As the Photography Team Lead for multiple editions of WordCamp Europe, I coordinated a dynamic team capturing the essence of the event. Behind-the-scenes insights and must-haves we focus on, every year: (1) Juggling multiple locations to capture diverse sessions is always fun but also challenging. (2) Ensuring we respect attendees’ privacy while getting candid shots. (3) Coordinating with speakers for exclusive backstage photos. (4) Adapting to various lighting conditions for stellar shots. (5) Witnessing the excitement of fellow photographers as they captured memorable moments.
Looking at the volunteer-to-attendee ratio, that ratio seems to slightly improve in favor of more volunteers per attendee.
A thing to note here, though, is if that’s going in the right direction and if volunteer jobs are still fulfilling and needed.
Sponsorships: a vote of confidence from the business community
Sponsorship tells its own exciting story. From fluctuations in the early years, the record support in 2022 and 2023 symbolizes growing business confidence in WordCamps. This support reflects the business community’s trust in WordCamp Europe as a vital platform for innovation and collaboration.
The benefits of sponsoring WordCamps are numerous, especially for newer brands. Aside from the obvious perk of your WordPress-focused brand being visible to your target users, the conversations you’ll have and the insights you’ll gain from them are invaluable.
Receiving direct feedback always uncovers potential gaps or opportunities for product features or your marketing strategy. These 1:1 conversations also build trust in you and your brand and have the potential to create lasting relationships that can result in organic advocacy on social platforms. These relationships can also be built with other brands and product owners, resulting in partnerships or integrations that will foster your company’s growth.
Conclusion on WordCamp Europe statistics and the event’s dynamic story 🏁
These WordCamp Europe statistics paint a rich, colorful picture. The growth, global reach, diversity of voices, community spirit, and business support all highlight a thriving, evolving platform. As we look forward, these trends suggest WordCamp Europe will continue to be more than a conference; it’s a celebration of technology, innovation, and global camaraderie.
So, whether you’re a seasoned developer, aspiring blogger, or simply tech-curious, WordCamp Europe has something for you. Join the excitement, become part of this unique journey and be with us at the next WordCamp Europe, which is going to be held in Torino, Italy 🇮🇹 on 13-15 June 2024.
The Italian WordPress community can’t wait to show you its warmness and coziness. And I’m thrilled to welcome you to my beloved Torino. A city with a glorious past and a strong innovative vision of the future. The perfect location to host the tenth in-presence edition of WordCamp Europe.
📊🖼️ Here’s the promised infographic. It shows the story of WordCamp Europe as told by the numbers. From 2013 up until 2023, here’s what you need to know about WordCamp Europe:
Infographic: WordCamp Europe statistics
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