Where community meets opportunity:
With WordCamp Asia 2025 just two weeks away, we sat down with three former global leads, Jon Ang, JC Mae Palmes, and Andy Saw, to discuss what goes on behind the scenes during the selection process. What makes a city ready to host, and why Manila was ultimately chosen?
How does a city get selected to host WordCamp Asia?
The selection process begins with a call for applications, where local WordPress communities express their interest. This step helps gauge both enthusiasm and readiness. Once applications are submitted, they are carefully reviewed based on several key factors.
The strength of the local WordPress community is a major consideration. A city needs an active, engaged, and well-organized team capable of leading a flagship event. The selection committee also assesses logistical factors such as venue availability, financial feasibility, and accessibility. Another major factor is flight connectivity. Does the city have enough direct flights from key attendee markets to ensure ease of travel?
Once this initial review is complete, shortlisted applicants are invited for interviews. This is an opportunity to dig deeper into their plans, team structure, and ability to execute an event of this scale. We discuss aspects like venue costs, production team options, and catering ability for dietary preferences.
From there, the list is narrowed down to two or three finalists. These finalists are aware of each other and work to make a compelling case for why their city should be selected.
During the final stage, the global and local leads come together to make the decision. Once a selection is made, it is sent for approval to the Head of Community Events and the Executive Director.
~ Jon Ang, Founder of WordCamp Asia
What role does the selection committee play?
The selection committee consists of the global and local leads, though they can bring in mentors and former global leads for additional insight. This ensures continuity from past editions and allows the process to benefit from experienced perspectives.
Every application is given careful attention. The committee takes the time to review all the details provided, keeping an open mind and making decisions as a team. The process is designed to be fair, transparent, and thorough, ensuring every city has an equal opportunity to showcase its strengths.
This structured approach is necessary because selecting a host city is not just about finding an exciting location. It is about setting up a community for success. A city might have passionate organizers, but without the right foundation, hosting a flagship event like WordCamp Asia can quickly become overwhelming.
~ Andy Saw, Global Lead 2024
What happens to cities that aren’t selected?
Eight cities applied to host WordCamp Asia 2025, and while only one could be chosen, the journey doesn’t end for the others. Each application is an opportunity for growth, providing valuable insights into what makes a successful host city. Not every community is at the same stage of readiness, and this process helps them identify areas to strengthen—bringing them one step closer to hosting in the future.
But this isn’t just about selection—it’s about empowering communities. The evaluation process equips cities with the knowledge and roadmap they need to build stronger local WordPress communities, refine their event-planning capabilities, and position themselves for future success.
By maintaining a transparent, fair, and structured selection process, WordCamp Asia ensures that when a city is chosen, it is truly ready to host an event that represents the spirit of the WordPress community. And for those that aren’t selected this time—your moment will come. Keep building, keep growing, and we can’t wait to see you shine in the future!
“Having been on both sides of this process, I can say with confidence that we approach each application with the same level of diligence and respect. Every application gets the time it deserves, with the team, keeping an open mind, and reviewing all the details carefully before making the final collective decision.”
~ JC Mae Palmes, Global Lead 2023, Local Lead 2025
What Does It Take to Become a Host City?
When a city successfully goes through this selection process, it is a strong indication that it has the essential foundations to organize the next WordCamp Asia. This process ensures that the city is not only capable of hosting but is also set up for long-term success.
It is not enough for a city to simply want to host. Passion is important, but enthusiasm alone does not make a city ready. The organizing team needs to be experienced, the local WordPress community needs to be strong, and the infrastructure must be in place.
The selection process is what makes WordCamp Asia’s host city decisions trusted and respected. Every host city has gone through due diligence selections without exception, ensuring that each event is built on a strong foundation.
~ All Global Leads
Why was Manila, Philippines chosen?
Manila, Philippines, emerged as the perfect host city for WordCamp Asia 2025 after a rigorous selection process, where each applicant city was evaluated for its ability to deliver an outstanding flagship event. Manila stood out for several compelling reasons—an active and passionate WordPress community, strong logistical advantages, and invaluable government support.
The Philippine WordPress community is one of the most engaged in the region, with vibrant meetup groups in Manila, Baguio, San Pablo, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. In 2023 alone, the country hosted three successful WordCamps in different cities, proving its ability to organize large-scale events. The Manila organizing team showcased not just experience but also the ability to scale up, engage new contributors, and foster growth within the community—a key factor in selecting a host city.
From a logistics standpoint, Manila is a major international hub with excellent flight connectivity, making it easy for attendees, speakers, and sponsors to travel from across the region and beyond. The city also offers world-class venues equipped to host a multi-track conference with dedicated spaces for networking, sponsor booths, and workshops, ensuring a seamless event experience.
Government and institutional support played a crucial role in Manila’s selection. Like Bangkok and Taipei, Manila secured direct backing from government-related agencies like DICT, which helps with venue negotiations, visas, and overall event execution. Visa accessibility was another advantage— the Philippines offers a more streamlined visa process, including e-visas and AJACSSUK visa recognition, making it easier for attendees from key attendee markets to enter the country.
Ultimately, choosing Manila was about more than just logistics—it was about championing a thriving WordPress community and ensuring that WordCamp Asia 2025 becomes an unforgettable celebration of innovation, collaboration, and the open-source spirit.
~ Andy Saw, Global Lead 2024
The Final Countdown to WordCamp Asia 2025!
With just two weeks to go, the anticipation is at an all-time high! The organizing team has spent over a year meticulously planning every detail to ensure an unforgettable experience. Now, all that’s left is for the WordPress community to come together and make magic happen in Manila, Philippines.
Every edition of WordCamp Asia takes on a unique identity, shaped by its host city and the people who bring it to life. WordCamp Asia 2025 is not just the result of the incredible efforts of the local Filipino community—it’s a labor of love from organizers across Asia and beyond. Their collective passion, dedication, and hard work have helped create an event that will truly stand out.
Come celebrate the power of open-source, the strength of our community, and the endless possibilities of WordPress. Whether you’re here to learn, network, or simply be inspired, this is your moment to immerse yourself in the experience.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Manila—see you soon!
