Author: David Bisset

WordCamp Miami Speaker Data (2009-2018)

David Bisset Leave a comment

We announced some interesting data at the last WordCamp Miami for our 10th anniversary. One of which was the speaker data. I’m listing all the “official” speakers here (official as in there might have been some last minute replacements or cancels, but these are all the names reflected on the official sites).

Highlights:
324 Unique Speakers
160 Speakers Have Spoken At WordCamp Miami More Than Once
484 Speaker Slots (although if you include some unofficial speaking, opening/closing remarks, this is over 500)

2009

James Carcutt
David Bisset
Mark Jaquith
Ptah Dunbar

2010

Jake Goldman
Jane Wells
Tammy Hart
Syed Balkhi
Mark Jaquith
Scott Kingsley Clark
Jim Turner
John James Jacoby
Rick Tuttle
Michael Froomkin
Aaron Brazell
Roger Theriault
Brian Breslin
John Carcutt
Stephanie Rosenblatt
Shayne Sanderson
Pete Bernardo
Angie Moncada
Jim Gilbert

2011

Jeremy Harrington
John Carcutt
Matt Martz
Michael Chacon
Dezmon Landers
Kevin Zurawel
Brendan Sera-Shriar
Steven Mautone
Austin Passy
Jonathan Davis
Mark Jaquith
Andrew Nacin
Ptah Dunbar
Tammy Hart
Jhonatan Castaneda
Toni Gemayel
David Carr
Syed Balkhi
Adam W. Warner
Maria de los Angeles
Rey Bango
Josh Guffey
Stephen Gilboy
David Gewirtz

2012

Adrian Esquivel
Alex Gutierrez
Andrea Graham
Andy Stratton
Aubrey Sears
Ben Metcalfe
Blanca Stella Mejia
Brian Breslin
Chris Lauzon
David Tufts
Denise Jacobs
Erick Hitter
Gary Bacon
Jake Goldman
Jane Wells
Jess Jurick
John Sexton
Kevin Zurawel
Lisa Sparks
Maria De Los Angeles
Mason James
Melissa Venable
Myke Bates
Pamela Wynn
Ptah Dunbar
Rick Tuttle
Sam Grant
Stephen Gilboy
Steven Mautone
Syed Balkhi
Taryn Pisaneschi
Vicent Llopis

2013

Boone B Gorges
Tammie Lister
Paul Gibbs
Diana Espino
Syed Balkhi
Michael Chacon
Michael Alcantara
David Parsons
Brian Breslin
John James Jacoby
Bowe Frankema
Emilio Cueto
Federico Sandoval
Asa Shatkin
Erick Hitter
Mark Jaquith
Siobhan McKeown
Andy Vitale
Ernie Hsiung
Mason James
Mauricia Ragland
Nick Gernert
David Laietta
Jacqueline Jimenez
Myke Bates
Blanca Stella Mejia
Alex de Car­valho
Joshua Hansen
Cody Landefeld
Steve Zehngut
Ken Granger
Joe Boydston
Jayvie Canono
Suzette Franck
Zac Gordon
Andi Graham
Randy Hoyt
Denise Jacobs
Taylor Jasko
Grant Landram
Chris Lema
Brian Messenlehner
Michael Montgomery
Andrew Norcross
Shane Perlman
Tony Perez
Justin Sainton
Cliff Seal
Lisa Sabin-Wilson
Brad Williams
Pippin Williamson

2014

Aaron Jorbin
Adrian Cardenas
Alison Foxall
Amanda Blum
Anna Tuttle
Blanca Stella Mejia
Brad Touesnard
Brad Williams
Brian Messenlehner
Brian Richards
Carl Hancock
Chris Lema
Chris Wiegman
Cody Landefeld
Cory Miller
David Laietta
David Parsons
Diane Kinney
Dre Armeda
Gabriela Levit
Hector Torres
Hristo Pandjarov
Jackie Jimenez
Jared Atchison
Jared Easley
Jeff Chandler
John Carcutt
John James Jacoby
Jonathan Brinley
Josh Eaton
Karim Marucchi
Karla Campos
Kathryn Presner
Mark Jaquith
Mason James
Matt Medeiros
Michael Eisenwasser
Michelle Schulp
Mika Epstein
Nathan Hangen
Noel Tock
Pascal Depuhl
Pippin Williamson
Rebecca Gill
Rebekah Monson
Rick Tuttle
Rosie Taylor
Sarah Gooding
Steven Alig
Suzette Franck
Syed Balkhi
Sze Liu
Tammie Lister
Tomas Puig
Tracy Rotton
Trisha Salas
Zac Gordon

2015

Aaron Campbell
Adam Culp
Adam Soucie
Andrea Rennick
Becky Davis
Ben Newton
Bill Erickson
Brian Messenlehner
Chase Livingston
Chris Christoff
Chris Lema
Chris Wiegman
Chrissie Scelsi
Cory Miller
Dan Beil
Darcy Sullivan
David Bisset
David Hayes
Devin Vinson
Doug Stewart
Enrique Canals
Hristo Pandjarov
Ibis Arrastia
James Tryon
Jared Atchison
Jason Coleman
Jason Nickerson
Jeremy Pound
Jesse Petersen
John James Jacoby
Jonathan Brinley
Joseph Van
Josh Pollock
Justin Sainton
Karim Marucchi
Lisa Melegari
Marc Benzakein
Mark Jaquith
Mason James
Matt Cromwell
Michele Butcher
Michelle Schulp
Morten Rand-Hendriksen
Nakeesha Charles
Nancy Richmond
Nikhil Vimal
Pascal Depuhl
Rami Abraham
Roy Sivan
Ryan Fugate
Sarrah Vesselov
Shanta Nathwani
Shawn Hooper
Stephanie Brinley
Steve Burge
Syed Balkhi
Sze Liu
Taylor Lovett
Tim Sisson
Topher DeRosia

2016

Rachel Carden
Jim Gilbert
Adrian Cardenas
Jose L Pimienta
Bruno Cunha
Binod Purushothaman
Logan Kipp
Cliff Seal
Ptah Dunbar
Adam Culp
Karla Campos
Christina Siegler
Rocío Valdivia
Mark Jaquith
Dr. Nancy Richmond
Zac Gordon
Nizar Khalife Iglesias
Alex Oliveira
Shayla Price
Frank Corso
Bill Gadless
Chris Christoff
Andrew Norcross
Kimberly Lipari
Karim Marucchi
Michele Butcher
Jean Felisme
Patrick Alexander
Nicole Perpillant
Fridelande Rosas
Michelle Marin
Steven Alig
Ibis Arrastia
Carl Alexander
Dr. Anthony Miyazaki
John James Jacoby
David Bisset
Konstantin Obenland
Michael Cain
Josh Pollock
Ben Stoffel-Rosales
Kevin Stover
Camden Segal
David Yarde
Patrick Rauland
Marc Gratch
Marc Benzakein
Mike Hansen
Georgina Lewis
Ernie Hsiung
Pascal Depuhl
Matt Medeiros
Louise Treadwell
Adam Lamagna
Nile Flores
Dustin Meza
Devin Walker
Syed Balkhi
Stephanie Brinley
Catalina Valenzuela
Michelle Schulp
John Bloch
Adam Soucie
Steve Zehngut
David Laietta
Karen Dimmick
Victor Santoyo
Shawn Hooper
Sarah Pressler
Irina Blumenfeld
Chris Lema
Mindy Postoff
Scott Mann
Cal Evans
Sandy Edwards
Elayna Fernandez
Elyssa Fernandez
Elisha Fernandez
James Laws
Chris Wiegman

2017

Jon Brown
Kyle Putnam
Liam Dempsey
Bradley Cummins
Miles Lifton
Andrew Wikel
Sherry Walling
Karim Marucchi
Mason James
Jodie Riccelli
Diane Kinney
Mark Jaquith
Victor Santoyo
Andrew Norcross
Peter Carabeo
Michael Dyer
Brian Rotsztein
Jonathan Brinley
Hristo Pandjarov
Pascal Depuhl
Allie Nimmons
Chris Coyier
Krystal Galewski
Leah Halbina
Meagan Hanes
Melanie G Adcock
Mike Herchel
Naomi C. Bush
Paul Gilzow
Pete Nelson
Rachel S Lucas
Rebecca Gill
Shayla Price
Shelly Peacock
Shilpa Shah
Tanner Moushey
Tara Claeys
Tracy Apps
Troy Dean
Jayvie Canono
Jason Mazier
Eduardo Carreiro
Diana Espino
David Johnson
Christie Chirinos
Carrie Dils
Brian Messenlehner
Auston Bunsen
Andrew Taylor
Amanda Giles
Aleksander Kuczek
Carl Alexander
Pirate Dunbar
Karla Campos
Dr. Nancy Richmond
Zac Gordon
Nizar Khalife Iglesias
Alex Oliveira
Chris Christoff
Kimberly Lipari
Steven Alig
Anthony Miyazaki
John James Jacoby
Josh Pollock
Patrick Rauland
Louise Treadwell
Syed Balkhi
Michelle Schulp
Adam Soucie
David Laietta
Shawn Hooper
Scott Mann
Cal Evans
Sandy Edwards
Chris Wiegman

2018

William Jackson
Carole Olinger
Miriam Goldman
Naomi C. Bush
Matt Cromwell
Rodrigo Donini
Josh Pollock
Bobby Bryant
Jesse Velez
Jean Regisser
John Blackbourn
John Maeda
Tara Claeys
Lenora Porter
Francesca Marano
Matt Mullenweg
Aidan Lacayo
Pascal Depuhl
Keri Engel
Scott Mann
Rick Tuttle
Roxana Colorado
Christie Chirinos
Adam Warner
Patrick Alexander
Alejandro Sanchez
Andrew Taylor
John James Jacoby
Joshua Strebel
Dr. Nancy Richmond
Zac Gordon
Bradley Cummins
Kevin Langley Jr.
Sherry Walling
Mary Baum
Mark Ratcliff
Sandy Edwards
Melanie Adcock
Nakeesha Charles
Windy Pierre
Chris Flannagan
Jayda Washington-Boothe
Carlos Vazquez
Irina Blumenfeld
Cody Landefeld
Karim Marucchi
Syed Balkhi
Rian Kinney
Mauricio Dinarte
Chris Lema
Grzegorz Ziółkowski
Andrew Norcross
Andreas Lopez
Jean Felisme
Zach Stepek
Dwayne McDaniel
Karla Campos
Raquel Landefeld
Birgit Pauli-Haack
Natalia Real
Pat Ramsey
Michelle Schulp
Tessa Kriesel
Beka Rice
Anthony Miyazaki
Aleyna Harris
Victoria Dameus
Lindsay Halsey
Brian Richards
Marc Benzakein
Sze Liu
Georgina Lewis
Alyssa Harris
Victor Santoyo
Annejeanette Washington
Pam Aungst
Miles Lifton
Nicole Paschen Caylor
Louise Treadwell
Sebastian Rusk
Edward Pratt

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Efrain Rivera

David Bisset Leave a comment

It is with a sad heart that I am reporting that Efrain Rivera, a friend and volunteer to the local (and not so local) WordPress community passed on January 28th, 2018. He was 47.

Efrain was one of the longest standing organizers of WordCamp Miami (he is still listed – and will remain listed – on the WordCamp Miami organizer’s page). What Efrain brought to the table was an amazing organization of our Registration system – thanks to him we were able to process hundreds of attendees Saturday morning in the short span of 30 minutes. Not only did he fill that vital volunteer role – he did it with a smile on his face. I never saw him without that smile, even under the most stressing circumstances. Whenever me or another organizer was getting stressed – perhaps with a sudden issue we had to deal with – Efrain was a source of calm.

Efrain wasn’t just a fellow organizer, but also a supporter of the local WordPress meetups. There was no ulterior motive in anything that he did. Never once did he ask for anything – he was just happy to be there and help out. He was 100% about giving back to the WordPress community, but even if the community didn’t exist he would find a way to help out folks.

Efrain wasn’t just a supporter and volunteer. He was a good friend to have – someone you could speak to frankly to.

I am personally still dealing with the news. I am glad that the WordPress community found out before I had a chance to spread the word, and that many people have already given their thoughts and condolences. Although i’m not surprised – if you were ever at a WordCamp in Florida… you would remember Efrain. Always helping. Always dedicated. Always with a smile on his face.

And I believe that’s how i’ll choose to remember him.

For those interested in memorial services, his wife Crystal has asked me to pass this along: https://memorials.serenitymemorialchapels.com/efrain-rivera/3417849/obituary.php

Efrain Rivera and his wife Crystal
Efrain Rivera and his wife Crystal

 

Snapshot of the registration volunteers, all lead by Efrain, during WordCamp Miami.
Snapshot of the registration volunteers, all lead by Efrain, during WordCamp Miami.

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Tips On Talking With People Whose Names You Can’t Remember

David Bisset Leave a comment

In a few days, i’ll be traveling to WordCamp US before that I would like to share a secret.

I’m horrible with names. And slightly less horrible with faces. I have a “face blindness”. And “name blindness”. And “Twitter avatar blindness”. And “I’ve talked with this person 20 times in the past year via email but still can’t remember this person” blindness. So conference times are hard for me.

Turns out it’s hard for others as well – I’ve had a few admit that to me. But for natural reasons few want to admit that in public or social media. Allow me to be your sacrificial lamb and offer some tips.

Scenario: You are side-swiped as this person approaches. You need a name.

Tip 1: Obvious first move is to look at the name badge. Although the universe is against you and the name badge is covered by a jacket or reversed (this is why as a WordCamp organizer i recommend when doing conference badges to make front match the back for this reason). If by some reason the conference badges print Twitter handles, it gives you an excuse to look and ask “Has That Always Been Your Twitter Handle?”.

Tip 2: Introductions. If you have someone with you that hasn’t met the person (at least that you are reasonably sure hasn’t) allow them both to introduce yourselfs. You’ll get the name that way.

Tip 3: Get into the conversation and make up a reason to ask for their email address or Twitter handle. Odds are good you’ll get something useful from that.

Tip 4: Some conferences have “unique” info on their badges and you can ask to see their badge to see what theirs looks like.

Tip 5: Ask for their business card.

Scenario: You are the one approaching, but you forgot the name (slightly better scenario because you have time to prepare).

Tip 1: It’s harder to get line sight of the name badge from a distance, but sometimes the odds can be in your favor.

Tip 2: Approach said person, excuse yourself for the interruption, and ask them for their Twitter because you want to follow them (or Twitter accidentally dropped some followers – it happens). Walk away knowing you’ll be prepared for your next encounter.

Tip 3: Never hurts to ask someone else. Believe me, everyone has crappy memories. Or mostly everyone.

Tip 4: Ask for their business card.

Wait – Why Don’t You Just Ask?

This blog post is a bit of a parody, because you shouldn’t be afraid to ask someone’s name. All of us endeavour to remember people, but stress and time put a strain on our brains. Especially if we are at conferences outside of our local area. Outside of those with total recall, this effects ALL OF US at some point or another.

If you are talking to someone, be understanding if they can’t recall your name at the moment.

Especially if that person is me.

See you in a few days, WordCamp US.

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A WordCampers Guide To Asking Questions At Conferences

David Bisset

It’s that season again. In a month, a large number of WordPress folks will migrate to WordCamp US (being held this year in Nashville). and other events (i’ll be attending WordCamp Orlando in early November for example). So I thought it would be a timely reminder of how to ask questions at a WordCamp.

There are two times questions are asked at a WordCamp that i’m particularly focused on: (1) at the end of a talk, before the speaker leaves the scheduled time off stage and (2) During the “State of the Word” at WordCamp US where Matt Mullenweg typically takes questions from the audience. This advice applies to both, might apply to other times, some might not be applicable for other situations.

  1. Keep it short. I think this is the #1 rule, regardless what you do. Most questions do NOT require a complex backstory or history… and if they do, then being live in front of an audience with only a few minutes left for questions isn’t the time to ask perhaps. What i find to be effective many times: Ask a question that might get you close to an answer (or pick something easy to respond to) and THEN you can ask the speaker if you send them a longer version in printed form. Maybe. But keep your question short if nothing else then to be considerate of other people’s time.
  2. Prepare in advance. I think some of the more awkward questions are from people that think of questions on the spot. Which is fine, but not everyone can do this. Put your refined question on a card – that would allow you to be as articulate as possible.
  3. Don’t make it about you. Ask the question in a way others listening can benefit. You’ve heard this before: someone asks a question that there’s no way any other person (at least in the room) would have that same exact problem. Some go as far as basically asking for tech support in their “question”. Stop yourself and ask – can i ask this after the talk or at another time?
  4. I’ve seen people try to fit in as much questions as they can (“my second question is…. my follow up question is….”). Sometimes this is logical, other times it looks selfish to be honest. Speakers and others asking for questions are most times expecting ONE question per speaker. Sometimes that’s all they can focus on honestly.
  5. Allow others to ask a question. If nobody else has questions and there’s time, then perhaps ask your additional one.

I care deeply about audience participation during WordCamps. But there are some respectful and logical boundaries.

I would highly encourage WordCamps to adopt the practice of having the speaker be available in a location (such as the happiness bar or a private room) to answer additional, perhaps more private questions where the person asking has the opportunity to ask a little longer, more personal question.

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