August 20, 2026 — Every WordCamp needs a great send-off, and this year, we’re doing it the way our community actually talks to each other: two chairs, a real conversation, and a room full of people who get it. Think of it less like a keynote and more like the best hallway conversation of the week, just given a mic and a stage. The conversation we’ve all been having comes to the big stage. WordPress is evolving alongside AI, changing user expectations, and a rapidly shifting web. How do we keep open source thriving? What should we hold onto? What needs to change? And where do we go from here? That’s what this conversation is about. Not prepared talking points, but an honest discussion between two people who’ve spent decades helping shape, support, and steward the WordPress ecosystem from different perspectives. Even better, it doesn’t end on stage. The final 30 minutes belong to the community, with live audience Q&A. Two perspectives shaped by decades in open source. Ma.tt Mullenweg has helped guide the project since co-founding WordPress more than twenty years ago, while also leading Automattic and its portfolio of products supporting publishing, commerce, and the open web. Robert Jacobi has spent his career guiding organizations build, secure, and scale open source technologies, contributing across hosting, infrastructure, community leadership, and digital strategy. Together, they bring two distinct perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and decisions shaping WordPress today. It’s a conversation grounded in years of experience, but one that’s ultimately about where the project goes from here and what that means for everyone building with it. The best conversations don’t end when the session does. By the time Wednesday afternoon arrives, you’ll have spent four days learning new skills, meeting people from across the community, and sharing ideas that continue long after the event ends. This conversation is a chance to zoom out and connect those experiences to the bigger picture. Expect an honest discussion about open source, the evolving web, AI, community, and the future of WordPress. Then, the conversation opens up to you. The final 30 minutes are dedicated to audience Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and be part of the discussion that closes out WordCamp US 2026.

December 3, 2025 — State of the Word is the annual keynote address celebrating the progress of the open source WordPress project and offering a glimpse into its future. This year’s event takes place on December 2, 2025, at 8:00 PM UTC from San Francisco. From local stories to global growth, WordPress leadership highlighted the platform’s strengths, roadmap milestones, and vibrant community.

Watch with us as WordPress enthusiasts and newcomers from around the world came together for this unforgettable annual celebration.

Presentation Slides »

July 3, 2024 — Join WordPress co-founder and Project leader Matt Mullenweg in a review of 2024 accomplishments in the project, showcasing user-centric innovations and the latest features

October 13, 2023 — WordPress Executive Director, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, speaks to the important conversations happening in WordPress and how they and you can move the WordPress of tomorrow.

October 13, 2023 — Matt Mullenweg discusses 2023 Gutenberg improvements and what is next, followed by live Q&A.

September 30, 2023 — This WordCamp Keynote shares the remarkable journey of transitioning from a mailman to a software engineer in just three years, with the WordPress community as a guiding force. Discover how the power of WordPress and the support of its vibrant community propelled a career transformation.

April 2, 2020 — WordPress has come a long way from its humble beginning. Many of us have come a long way since our own humble beginnings with WordPress. WordPress enters our lives and we never look back. Together, we will explore all that WordPress has to offer. Whether you are a blogger, freelancer, or small business owner, you will discover how you can connect and grow within the WordPress community, and how to get the most from your WordPress—and WordCamp Seattle 2019—experience.

Presentation Slides »

August 8, 2019 — The team at WordCamp Asheville is thrilled to announce our 2019 keynote speaker – Chris Lema. Chris not only brings expertise, talent, and skill to his work and the stage, he also brings strategic vision, authenticity, and straight talk. Get ready to learn and be inspired.

Read more about our 2019 WordCamp Asheville keynote.

June 19, 2019 — Keynote

June 10, 2019 — Keynote for WordCamp Atlanta 2019