April 21, 2026 — How can WordPress bridge the gap between classrooms and real world contribution? How do we move students from just learning about open source to actively building it, contributing to it, and shaping its future? This panel focuses on practical pathways. We will discuss: How academic institutions can collaborate through WP Credits to formalise contribution How Campus Connect initiatives can create real exposure inside colleges How student clubs can become contribution hubs, not just event groups How structured mentorship can help students submit their first PR with confidence The goal is simple. Stop treating open source as a chapter in a syllabus. Start treating it as a career runway. Together with moderator Raitis Sevelis, Anand Upadhyay, Destiny Kanno, and Maciej Pilarski will explore how WordPress is building sustainable learning models that connect classroom education with real hands-on contribution, mentorship, and global collaboration. This is not just about learning WordPress. It is about participating in it. The discussion will cover: Integrating WordPress contributions into academic programs Building global student communities through Campus Connect Creating accessible learning pathways for beginners Supporting educators who want to introduce open source in classrooms The future of education within the WordPress ecosystem Whether you are a student looking to start contributing, an educator planning to introduce open source, or a community organiser building local ecosystems, this panel will give you practical direction and clarity on the next steps. Because the future of WordPress will not be built only by developers. It will be built by students who start early.

April 21, 2026 — Some key areas where WordPress is unbeatable, and how to position those advantages to sell WordPress better. If you are selling WordPress to your clients, or even internally as the choice of CMS, this talk will give you the right insights and arguments to do so successfully.

April 21, 2026 — 1.Understanding how real-life experiences outside IT can lead to a successful career in WordPress. – How lessons from different industries can be applied to web development and client work. 2.Practical insights on transitioning from subcontracted work to building direct client relationships. – How to grow step by step and establish a sustainable business. 3.The power of the WordPress community as an “accelerator.” – How Meetups, WordCamps, and connections with people can shape career direction and business growth. 4.Inspiration to take the first step. – Whether starting a new career, exploring block themes, or engaging with the community, small steps can lead to major transformation.

April 21, 2026 — Gratitude cycle: A perspective of giving back in your own way for the benefits you receive from open source.

April 21, 2026 — As WordPress continues to evolve, so do the questions around its future, from the role of AI to how contributors and communities grow alongside the platform. Join Mary Hubbard, Executive Director of the WordPress Project, in a fireside chat moderated by Shilpa Shah. Together, they will explore what lies ahead for WordPress and its global community. This conversation will touch on key areas shaping the ecosystem, including emerging technologies, education initiatives, contribution pathways, and the changing needs of the next generation of contributors. Designed as an open and engaging discussion, the session will offer insights into where WordPress is today and where it’s headed, while leaving space for thoughtful dialogue and audience questions. Whether you’re a long-time contributor or just starting your journey, this session will help you better understand the direction of the project and how you can be part of it.

April 21, 2026 — Artificial Intelligence (AI) has influenced all industries, especially the Software Industry. AI has changed a lot of things foundationally. The impact is more than just AI assisted workflows or AI writing assistants; now, AI is writing code, configuring systems, and in many cases building systems. WordPress has embraced AI and harnessed it at its core to improve the experience of website owners, designers, and developers. MCP clients have been around for a while, making the workflows more efficient. Telex has been churning our blocks on demand for a while now, Abilities API is making it easier for humans and the machine collaborate on the many abilities of WP. With WordPress 7.0 we will have AI Client baked into the core, which means it will be available to everyone [about a billion sites] out of the box. This session will give you a glimpse of what is happening with WordPress Core and AI and what is coming next.

April 21, 2026 — Learn how a WordPress release comes together through the journeys of past release leaders. From planning to execution, this panel offers practical insights into the process. Understand the challenges, collaboration, and impact behind every release.

April 21, 2026 — Hello, This is the final video of my WP Credits project. You will find my journy and final thoughts about this iniciative.

April 21, 2026 — WordPress presentation on personal experience and learning through the WordPress Credits program.

April 21, 2026