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You\u2019re sure to gain a better understanding of WordPress just by coming to this year\u2019s WordCamp Toronto with a willingness to learn. But to get the most out of your WordCamp Toronto experience, you might have to bring more than just an open mind.<\/p>\n
In this blog post, we list some of the things to bring to help you learn, make connections and stay comfortable and healthy.<\/p>\n
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A Way to Take Notes Note: A more interactive way to take notes is to record your notes and questions on Twitter with the hashtag #wcto<\/strong>. This will give those who are there and those who aren\u2019t some of the important points of the session, as well as open your questions up to the wider WordPress community for different answers.<\/p>\n A WordCamp Schedule At the same time, be sure to keep some room in your itinerary for networking and schmoozing with other attendees.<\/p>\n Questions Take a look at the speaker schedule and see if there are any sessions that will help answer your questions. Also, stop by the Happiness Bar, where you will be able to find some friendly WordPress experts who will be able to work one-on-one with you to solve your problem.<\/p>\n An Elevator Pitch Business Cards Note: WordCamp Toronto attendees will have the opportunity to\u00a0get 100 MiniCards from MOO.com for just the price of shipping<\/a> – a $4.00 fee. So, if you\u2019re in need of business cards, take advantage of this great offer. Orders must be placed by September 18th.<\/p>\n Dress in Layers Water and Snacks Of course, it always helps to bring a good attitude and a willingness to cooperate and learn, which has always been central to WordCamp. And if you need anything, let the organizers and other attendees know, and they\u2019ll be happy to help out.<\/p>\n You\u2019re sure to gain a better understanding of WordPress just by coming to this year\u2019s WordCamp Toronto with a willingness to learn. But to get the most out of your WordCamp Toronto experience, you might have to bring more than … Continue reading Preparing for WordCamp Toronto: A WordCamper\u2019s Field Guide<\/span>
\n<\/strong>There will be lots of takeaways you\u2019ll want to jot down from the speakers. A simple pen and notebook is a popular choice. If you prefer, you can bring a laptop and use your favourite word processor or note taking application like\u00a0Evernote<\/a> or\u00a0OneNote<\/a> along with\u00a0some great note taking techniques from the academic world<\/a> for more complete notes. You can also use mobile versions of these apps to take notes using your phone.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>To make the most of your time at WordCamp, it\u2019s important to stay organized. We think it\u2019s helpful to have a printed schedule of the conference schedule with the sessions you\u2019re most interested in attending circled. Based on\u00a0this year’s WordCamp Toronto schedule<\/a>, there will be plenty of sessions at any given time jockeying for your attention, so pick the ones that will benefit you most.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Maybe you\u2019ve reached a standstill where you need some advice, or maybe you simply want to know other people\u2019s opinions or discover new ways to do things. WordCamp is a great place to find answers to all the questions you\u2019ve been pondering.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>WordCamp, like summer camp, is a great way to meet new friends, but not everyone will have the time to leisurely talk until the sun comes. This is why you should come up with a quick explanation of who you are, what you do and you hope to do. You\u2019ll be able to deliver this elevator pitch quickly – in the time span of an elevator ride, or as you\u2019re giving out your business card. This way, people will know what you\u2019re about, and open the door to a more in-depth conversation.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>In order to give people an easy way to contact you, it\u2019s easy to pass them a business card. You might consider creating a special business card for your blog other web project if it\u2019s unrelated to your day job. They have a tendency to disappear quickly, so remember to bring more cards than you think you\u2019ll hand out.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>For those out-of-town visitors, the fall in Toronto can be unpredictable, so it\u2019s a good idea to bring a coat and sweater. Based on historical averages, the temperature in the city typically varies from 55\u00b0F to 65\u00b0F at the end of September,\u00a0according to Weather Spark<\/a>. Also, conference rooms everywhere are typically freezing, so having different layers to take on and off can make you more comfortable.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Running from session to session \u2013 and to the parties \u2013 can wear you out. It\u2019s important to stay hydrated and well-fueled. While WordCamp Toronto will have plenty of opportunities to get a drink or snack, it doesn\u2019t hurt to bring a water bottle and some healthy and portable in-between-meal snacks like granola bars or trail mix.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/2012.toronto.wordcamp.org\/files\/2012\/08\/kobayashi-online-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/em>This post was contributed by\u00a0content strategist David Hamilton<\/a> from Kobayashi Online.\u00a0Kobayashi Online is a digital marketing agency in Toronto<\/a> specializing in web design and development based on the WordPress platform. With the guiding principle of making \u201conline friendly\u201d, they\u2019re supporters of the Canadian WordPress community and open-source initiatives.\u00a0Follow the team on Twitter<\/a> and meet them in-person at WordCamp Toronto!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"