Twenty Sixteen will be remembered for a great many things. Not the least (or greatest) of which is the inaugural WordCamp Jacksonville. Jacksonville boasted a powder-keg of WordPress users, designers, and developers and WordCamp 2016 ignited an exciting new time for open source aficionados in Jax. Situated in downtown Jacksonville, Florida State College at Jacksonville served as a lovely host facility.

Providing three tracks: User, Developer and Designer, 40 speakers from across the states shared more than just their knowledge. Many shared stories, lessons (from the school of hard knocks), best practices, and inspiration.

Saturday brought us a keynote by Robert Jolly in what can only be described as an eye-opener for most attendees. Accessibility (a11y) is not simply a “feel good” thing we do, but is an act of empathy for site users. The opportunities Robert brought forward certainly provided marching orders for a better internet.

The after-party was in a dungeon ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Sunday picked up at the same ferocious pace that Saturday ended with. Keynote speaker Kathy Drewien reminded us we are stronger together. That we are community. That we are able to make a difference. That what we do is important. What a way to enter the last few sessions!

Nearly 200 people interested in creating the internet and making the internet better spent two days in downtown Jacksonville and we can’t wait to do it again in May of 2017.

Browse the photos from 2016 here

Dont forget to Sponsor, Speak and/or Volunteer for 2017!