As we countdown to WordCamp Asia 2024, each week we’re inviting you to go behind the lineup and get to know the folks who will be taking to the stage. In today’s post, we chat with Aaron D. Campbell, Director of Product at A2 Hosting about his experiences with WordCamp Asia, his party trick, and his love of high performance UTVs.
Q. Firstly, welcome to the lineup! We’re so glad to have you here. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself? Where will you be joining the event from, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I live in Seminole, Oklahoma, a small town of ~7000 people that I often say is “the middle of nowhere in the middle of the United States”, although we’re actually about 540km from the true middle. My day to day as Director of Product at A2 Hosting consists mostly of setting the direction and vision for our products, enabling my team to create amazing product plans, and shepherding those through the process from vision to reality. Personally, my day to day varies a lot with the weather. Right now while it’s cold, I catch up on my reading and enjoy the peace that comes from staying inside. When the weather is beautiful, I try to get out as often as I can – maybe for a walk, but especially to the local off-road track when I can. When it’s incredibly hot, I spend every second I can inside a pool (missing that hot weather at the moment!).
Q. We’re lucky to be welcoming a diverse range of speakers to our program in 2024. What interested you to apply to WordCamp Asia as a speaker?
The first WordCamp Asia was an absolute delight, and I knew immediately that I wanted to return. People that shared their experiences, learnings, struggles, and epiphanies with me along my path through life, and specifically in my career, helped me get to where I am today. Any chance I have to share my own experiences back to help others, is almost like me making a payment on that debt.
Q. What can audiences expect to learn from your talk/s? Are there any advance sneak peeks or knowledge bombs you can offer us?
Your reputation is absolutely key to achieving your goals. It’s more than your portfolio or your resume, it can be built both in and out of work, and it’s always yours no matter where you move to or who you work for. It’s worth taking the time to start building it purposefully so you can use it effectively.
Q. What are you most looking forward to at WordCamp Asia 2024? Is there someone you’re looking forward to rubbing shoulder with, or a local delicacy you’d like to sample?
My brother-in-law told me that I absolutely have to eat at the top of the Taipei 101 building, so I think that’s tops on my list right now. In general, I love experiencing new places through food…so I’m ABSOLUTELY open to any and all recommendations!
Q. Tell us something about yourself that we might not know. Party tricks? Secret hobbies?
As an introvert, I think my biggest party trick is surviving the party. My not-so-secret, but probably less known, hobby is going fast in or on anything with a motor. In the past I have been heavily into motorcycles, especially of the off-road variety, and now I find myself mostly enjoying high performance UTVs. It’s something I do with my son, who’s now 20, and we get quite competitive!
Q. Lightning Round!
Most-visited website: google – I’m an information addict and it’s still my primary portal to finding that info!
Must-have gadget: My phone – I use it for everything
Most-read book: I prefer fiction – especially fantasy. If you’ve never read the Eragon series you should. It’s creative, well paced, and generally fun – avoid the movie at all costs.
Go-to podcast: The WP Briefing is the only podcast that I never miss an episode of – https://wordpress.org/news/podcast/
Find out more about Aaron’s appearance at WordCamp Asia 2024 here.