When we opened applications for the WordCamp Asia 2027 organizing team, we hoped to see strong interest from across the WordPress community. What we received exceeded our expectations: 260 applications from 24 countries, each representing a willingness to contribute to WordCamp Asia and to the broader WordPress community.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who applied.
Because so many people placed their trust in us by submitting an application, we also wanted to be transparent about how the organizing team was formed. We hope this overview helps applicants better understand the process, and that it may also serve as a useful reference for future WordCamp Asia and other flagship WordCamp organizing teams.
Step 1: Reviewing Applications
Our four Global Leads reviewed every application, considering the needs of each team and the information applicants shared about their experience, skills, and interests.
Our goal was not simply to find the most experienced organizers. We also wanted to build teams with a healthy balance of experienced and first-time organizers, a variety of perspectives and skills, and representation from across our community. Depending on the team, local knowledge and specific expertise were also important considerations.
Working together, we created a smaller candidate pool for each team to move forward to the next stage.
Step 2: Selecting Team Leads and Co-Leads
Before building the full organizing team, we identified Team Lead and Co-Lead candidates for each team and reached out to confirm their availability and willingness to take on leadership responsibilities.
At this stage, we shared a progress update with the community on Facebook, letting applicants know that the review process was moving forward and encouraging everyone to continue participating in WordCamp Asia regardless of the outcome.
Step 3: Building Each Team
Once the Team Leads and Co-Leads had been confirmed, we invited them to help build their own teams.
To support this process, we prepared a candidate list for each team, allowing Team Leads to review applicants who matched their team’s needs.
Rather than having all decisions made by the Global Leads, each leadership team reviewed the remaining candidates for their area and selected organizers based on the team’s needs, applicants’ skills and experience, and the overall balance of the team.
This collaborative approach allowed the people who will work most closely together over the coming months to help shape their teams while maintaining the overall vision for WordCamp Asia 2027.
The Result
The final organizing team consists of approximately 80 organizers representing 17 countries.
One statistic we’re especially happy to share is that more than half of the team are first-time WordCamp Asia organizers. Welcoming new organizers has always been important to the long-term health of our community, and we’re excited to see fresh ideas and new perspectives working alongside experienced organizers.
Our First Town Hall
On July 1, our organizing team came together for our first all-team Town Hall meeting.
For many of us, it was the first opportunity to meet teammates from across Asia and beyond. The meeting marked the official beginning of our journey toward WordCamp Asia 2027, and we’re excited to see each team begin its work in the months ahead.
To Everyone Who Applied
If you applied but were not selected as an organizer this year, please know this: not being selected does not mean you weren’t good enough.
We simply had far more qualified applicants than available organizer positions. Building a balanced team meant making difficult decisions, and many excellent candidates could not be included this time.
WordCamp has always been much bigger than its organizing team. Volunteers, speakers, sponsors, attendees, and contributors all play an essential role in making the event successful. We value your passion for the community, and we warmly invite you to join us in those capacities.
Please keep an eye on our website for updates on when applications for these roles open. We also encourage you to stay engaged and apply for future organizing teams.
Looking Ahead
Every WordCamp builds on the experience of those that came before it.
By sharing how we approached organizer selection, we hope this process can provide ideas and encouragement for future organizing teams as they build diverse, collaborative, and welcoming communities of their own.
Thank you once again to everyone who applied, and to everyone who helps make the WordPress community the welcoming place it is. We look forward to building WordCamp Asia 2027 together.
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