All posts by Karissa Skirmont

About Karissa Skirmont

I tame technology for women entrepreneurs who are overwhelmed and tired of trying to figure it out by themselves! Online Business Manager, Website & Graphic Designer, specializing in WordPress MultiSite, lover of technology and obsessed with purple things. I'm an organizer for WordPress Kansas City Meetup group and the Lead organizer for WordCamp Kansas City 2019. http://kansascity.wordcamp.org.

WordCampKC 2014 Video and & Photos

The video from WordCampKC 2014 is up! Take a look and share it with your friends!

Special thanks to YetiChute.com for taking photos and filming.

http://yetichute.com/wordcamp-2014/

Session Slide Links

Watch here for links to session slides. We will continuously update them as we get them, adding new ones at the bottom. They are also on the Speakers page if you want a face with the name.

Title: Making Money with WordPress
Speaker: Nile Flores
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/blondishnet/making-money-with-word-press

Title: Using Sass in your WordPress Projects
Speaker: Jeremy Green ‏
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/greenhornet79/sass-withwordpresskc

Title: Building Your Business Around WordPress
Speaker: Kristin Falkner ‏
Slide: http://www.kristinfalkner.com/wordcampkc-kfalkner.pdf

Title: Customizing the WordPress Dashboard for Better Workflow
Speaker: Brianna Privett ‏
Slide: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M5dzIpSOiP9cIl2zLbzFtUpEDUhVgFUIo9BptoGaLsk/edit#slide=id.p

Title: How to Rock a WordCamp Even if You’re a Total n00b (Friday)
Speaker: Marc Benzakein
Slide: https://speakerdeck.com/javaboy42/how-to-rock-a-wordcamp-even-if-you-are-a-n00b

Title: How I Tell a Customer They are Wrong and Make Them Love Me (Saturday)
Speaker: Marc Benzakein
Slide: https://speakerdeck.com/javaboy42/how-i-tell-my-customer-their-wrong-and-make-them-love-us

Title: Version Control Using Git
Speaker: Frankie Jarrett
Slide: http://frankiejarrett.com/wordcamp-kc-version-control-using-git/

Title: WordPress Basics
Speaker: Jim Grant
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/jimgrant2/word-press-basics-for-meetup

Title: Getting “Hooked” on WordPress Hooks
Speaker: Michael Stowe
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/mikestowe/get-hooked-on-wordpress-hooks

Title: Modern Development Environments for WordPress
Speaker: James W. Lane
Slide: http://jwl-wc.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/WordCamp-KC-2014.pdf

Title: WordPress Security is Like a HHAM Sandwich
Speaker: Jason Yingling
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/Red8Interactive/hham-for-wp-security

Title: WordPress When You Mean Business
Speaker: Rebecca Haden
Slide: http://www.hadeninteractive.com/wordpress-when-you-mean-business

Title: Telling Your Story with WordPress About Pages and Author Bios
Speaker: Shane Purnell
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/PlatformGiant/telling-your-story-with-wordpress-about-pages-and-author-bios

Title: Basic Plugin Recommendations to get your WordPress Website Started
Speaker: Nile Flores
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/blondishnet/basic-plugin-recommendations-to-get-your-wordpress-website-started

Title: Best Practices for the Post-Photoshop World
Speaker: Jeremy Fuksa
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/3rdmartini/alternative-design-workflows-in-a-postpsd-era-37139781

New!
Title: Developing Your Own Plugins
Speaker: Pippin Williamson
Slide: http://www.slideshare.net/pippinw/wpkc-2014

Title: Better Theme Organization
Speaker: Brent Schultz
Slide: http://prezi.com/yl4x6et37erm/better-theme-organization-brent-schultz-at-2014-kc-wordcamp

WordCampKC Wallpapers

I created a wallpaper for my laptop and thought that others would like them too. I tried to make several but soon realized that there are so many standard sizes. If these don’t work, try a smaller one centered and use #9fddf9 or RGB 159 221 249 as the background color. Or if there is a particular one that you would like, just tweet it to me @meetkarissa and I’ll see what I can make.

Click image for full size to right click and save.

Wallpaper 1920×1080

WordCampKC_Wallpaper1920x1080

Wallpaper 1280×800

WordCampKC_Wallpaper1280x800

Wallpaper 1136×640 (iPhone)

WordCampKC_Wallpaper1136x640

Wallpaper 1024×1024 (iPad)

WordCampKC_Wallpaper1024x1024

Wallpaper 2048×2048 (new iPad)

WordCampKC_Wallpaper2048x2048

Making the Most out of WordCamps

This guest post is by Austin Gunter

If you’ve spent enough time working with WordPress, you’ve come across the ubiquitous “WordCamps” and probably asked the question, “What the heck is a WordCamp?” Hopefully at this point you’re considering attending a local one, and you want to know, “How can I make the most out of my weekend?”

This is a good post to read before you go. It will help you make a conference plan to maximize your weekend. There’s a lot you can get out of a WordCamp, so let’s help you decide what that is!

Continue reading on http://www.wpbeginner.com/events/making-most-wordcamps.

What to bring with you

 

  • A way to take notes: pens/paper, laptop/tablet
  •  Lots of questions
  • Water and snacks
  • Business cards
  • Check back as we add more

 

A way to take notes—a laptop is not required

You will want to take notes. So bring your favorite way to capture what is happening. Notebooks & extra pens. If you use a laptop to capture notes, bring that. However, a laptop is not required at WordCamp.

The sessions are not instructor-led tutorials where you follow them through a lesson using a laptop. They are mostly in presentation format. Each speaker is can post their slides on the WordCamp Kansas City website so that they are available for you. SlideShare is a popular format, although some people may post PDFs.

Internet access will be available via WiFi. However, sometimes WiFi access in crowded locations, where many people are trying to access the resource at the same time, can be problematic.

Lots of questions

Spend some time looking at the session schedule and plan your day. Prepare questions for the speakers. If they cannot address the question during the talk because of time constraints, they will be available during the day.

Water and snacks

It will be busy day. You will want to take in as much as you can, quickly move between sessions, meet friends in the hall, and make new connections. Make sure you are hydrated and well-fueled. While WordCamp Kansas City 2014 will have snacks and plenty of drinks, including coffee, and lunch, if you prefer you may want to bring a water bottle and some healthy and portable in-between-meal snacks like granola bars or trail mix.

Business cards

You will meet new people at WordCamp Kansas City 2014. Bring business cards so that they can follow up with you after the event.

Matt’s “State of the Word” Infographic

The following infographic gives a visual representation of the state of WordPress in 2013 as it compares to previous years.
WordPress Infographic For 2013

View the full 2013 WordPress Infographic designed by ElegantThemes.com.

Testimonial: WPKC Meetup Reviews

  • Impressive. Besides being talented and skilled, members were cordial. Thanks for creating a welcoming environment.

    Marty McCarty on May 22, 2014.

  • I’m impressed. Totally worth the time!!! I loved the special assistance!!!

    Jan Lazo-Davis on May 15, 2014.

  • Wonderful!

    Linda Buchner on Apr 30, 2014.

  • Thanks again guys for all of your help!

    matthermanson on Apr 29, 2014.

  • Educational as always!

    Jim Grant on Apr 25, 2014.

  • I’ll be going to these meetups plus Wordcamp KC this summer. Wouldn’t miss it.

    Brian Bookwalter on Apr 9, 2014.

  • A great place to learn and share everything WordPress.

    Jack Pearce on Mar 27, 2014.

  • Seems like they/we are in growth mode

    Jay Hanley on Mar 14, 2014.

  • Great. Mary White was a tremendous help to me. I have been stuck for a while and now I can move forward.

    Kathleen Stafford on Mar 6, 2014.

  • Awesome!!

    Catherine Kolkoski on Mar 5, 2014.

  • Great!

    Edgar Hazelwood on Dec 19, 2013.

  • I always learn so much and great to see everyone.

    mary white on Dec 19, 2013.

  • I’m still curious what the format will be. Looking forward to continue to check it out.

    Tami on Oct 24, 2013.

  • It doesn’t matter if the session’s topic is about dissecting the WordPress core or how to correctly microwave pizza rolls, it’s great to be surrounded by like-minded, business oriented, WordPress enthusiasts.

    Ben Niehues IV on Mar 30, 2013.

  • I learned a lot from conversations after the presentation with brilliant developers as well as gaining knowledge from their insightful comments during.

    Chuck Johnson on Feb 28, 2013.

  • I look forward to future meetups to meet more WordPressKC members.

    Marvin Moss on Dec 8, 2012.

  • Love it! Great people.

    Trampas Whiteman on Aug 31, 2012.

  • Seems like a good group, just wanted a few more tangible take-aways from this meeting.

    Mandy Stark on Aug 31, 2012.

  • I hope to attend more WordPressKC events.

    Jason Mize on Aug 31, 2012.

  • Good group, good diversity of talent and interests.

  • Friendly and willing to share. Profit from the contact and contacts others have found.

    Phil Walsh on Apr 27, 2012.

  • This is an exciting group to be a part of, you can learn a lot if you’re willing to ask what’s on your mind. WordPress is thriving and growing in the KC area and this group is in the middle of the action!

    Frankie Jarrett on Mar 29, 2012.

  • I felt very comfortable and it was my first session. I like the informality and the helpfulness. People were very knowledgeable and honest if they didn’t have an answer.

    David Milliken on Nov 23, 2011.

  • Very informed individuals. Everyone seemed interested to help and worked off each others comments.

    Mark Hellevang on Sep 30, 2011.

  • I’ve only been to a couple of meetings so far, but this is a great group!

    Jessica McGregor on Sep 30, 2011.

  • This was my first meeting, but from what I could see, there were a lot of people who actively pitch in to offer tips and advice and that was great to see. I will be back. 🙂

    MarkVB on Sep 30, 2011.

  • Just getting to know folks. Everyone seems very friendly and open.

    Dan Rood on Aug 4, 2011.

  • Knowledgeable, fun group! Always welcoming, & really love their wordpress!

    Ben Jacobi on Jul 29, 2011.

  • You are all great. I look forward to future meetings.

    Daniel Holmes on Jul 29, 2011.

  • Good group, friendly, helpful

    David W Brown on Jul 29, 2011.

  • First meeting. Good diverse group. Didn’t have time to stay, but I look forward to meeting others at my next visit.

    Ed Loesch on Jul 29, 2011.

  • Really enjoyed meeting such a bunch of nice people, and finding others who actually know what WordPress is! Can’t wait till the next meeting. And Wordcamp!

    Jill on Apr 30, 2011.

  • I love the supportive nature of the group and the wide array of skills and knowledge in different areas!

    stacey on Apr 9, 2011.

  • I really enjoy it. I like the laid back, welcome-all attitude and how there are so many experts in the group that provide invaluable knowledge and advice. I will be back!

    Bethanie White on Apr 8, 2011.

  • It was wonderful. I got my geek on for the whole time. I am pumped to be a part of it.

    Ken Jansen on Dec 10, 2010.

  • This was my first Meetup with this group, so I didn’t know what to expect. Josepha explained that it was a little out of the ordinary to discuss more SEO and less WP than usual. I look forward to attending future events to learn more about WP. I’m really excited to have my Website (www.UltimateVarietyRadio.com) used as one of the upcoming projects to be critiqued! I can’t wait!

    Maggie Giamalvo on Dec 10, 2010.

  • Great group! Nice mix of developer/user/designer types!

    David Atkins on Jul 29, 2010.

  • This is an incredible group of professionals: web designers, developers, programmers, coders, marketing/ social media experts & novices, like me! If you have a WP or are in the process of starting one, this is the perfect opportunity for you; valuable info for every skill level!

    Leslie on Jul 29, 2010.

  • I think this group fills an important niche, and the knowledge and expertise of the various members who I’ve seen attend will most likely bring everyone to a higher level within their own area/needs of WordPress.

    John on Jul 1, 2010.