Announcing BuddyCamp + REST API Workshop Lineup

WordCamp Miami has been the proud hosts of BuddyCamp for the past five years. This year we are turning up the awesome factor, especially for developers. While you can learn about BuddyPress during this year’s BuddyCamp – you’ll also be able how to learn a bit about the WordPress REST API and building mobile applications with WordPress/BuddyPress!

If you are a developer this is DEFINITELY the workshop to be at.

The “BuddyCamp + REST API” track will be on Friday, March 24th. It is a single full-day track.

Although we haven’t yet posted our weekend schedule, we are proud to showcase the following planned speakers and the talks they will be covering.

David Laietta

David Laietta is an organizer of WordPress Orlando and WordCamp Orlando. He has been using WordPress for nearly eight years now, and builds custom themes and plugins for clients. David is a co-founder of Dinosaur Iceberg, a creative agency based in Orlando. In addition to WordPress, David is passionate about open source software, online freedoms, internet culture, and constantly learning about the world. He looks forward to chatting with you at WordCamp Miami or on Twitter @davidlaietta.

Talk: “BuddyPress 101: What You Need To Know”: This starts off the workshop for the benefit of those who aren’t familiar with BuddyPress and how they can use BuddyPress to build their social network. Live demos promised!

Tanner Moushey

Tanner is a web developer and entrepreneur located in the small town of Granite Falls, Wa. He’s passionate about using technology to promote community. When he’s not tracking down new leads or coding, he loves playing music and spending time with his wife and 4 (soon to be 5) kids.

Talk: “Taming BuddyPress”: While you can use BuddyPress to create a feature packed community site in mere minutes, it is often overwhelming for both administrators and users alike. Tanner will share some tools and techniques that you can use to build your BuddyPress community while maintaining your sanity.

Tara Claeys

Tara Claeys, of Design TLC and Nice Work, LLC, provides custom website and graphic design services, with a focus on creating effective, clean and personalized communication platforms for small to medium businesses. Tara has a marketing background, combined with several years working with WordPress, helping her find solutions for complex marketing communication and website functionality challenges.

Talk: “A BuddyPress Case Study”: This talk will describe the history of the development of an online game, beginning with Google Sheets on a simple WordPress website, to a more elaborate custom plugin that incorporates BuddyPress into the MemberPress on a new WordPress Multisite platform. If you are interested in how BuddyPress can be used in extended, creative ways, or if you are interested in fitness, nutrition and lifestyle improvements you will enjoy this talk!

Joseph Van

Joseph has been designing and developing websites for over eight years, specializing in UX and UI for both front-end and back-end users. Working with major brands and companies such as Alamo, Dell, DHL, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Intuit, Kabaam and Norwegian Cruise Line – he has developed many different websites ranging from Landing Pages, to Microsites and Single Page Web Apps. Twitter: @joedajigalo

Talk: “Working With The WordPress REST API”: Joseph will be covering the basics and then quickly diving into the WordPress REST API – how it works and how you can use it (with or without BuddyPress).

Brian Messenlehner

Brian, a former Marine Corps software developer is the Co-Founder of WebDevStudios.com, Co-Founder of AppPresser.com, Co-Author of Building Web Apps with WordPress and runs the New Jersey WordPress meet up group. Brian loves using WordPress as an application framework for building cool websites, e-commerce solutions, social networks and mobile applications. When he’s not working on WordPress he’s teaching his kids WordPress. WordPress! WordPress! WordPress!

Talk: “How To Build A WordPress/BuddyPress Mobile App”: Is building a true native mobile app possible? Yes it is. Brian will show you available options, and then focus on how to build your next social (or other) app with AppPresser using WordPress and BuddyPress.

John James Jacoby

Project lead for BuddyPress and bbPress. WordPress contributor, BackPress supporter. Cranky driver. Puppy whisperer. Naps required. Currently the Director of Web Engineering at 10up.

Talk: “The State of BuddyPress”: John is one of the lead contributors to BuddyPress, and will be closing out the day bringing everyone up to speed on where BuddyPress, it’s API, and WordPress is general is going for 2017 any beyond. John will also open the floor with questions along with the other developers for a closing Q&A.

More Speakers and Surprises To Come!

Speakers and talks are being added to the above lineup and they’ll be announced in a few days along with our weekend schedule.

More information and surprises concerning WordCamp Miami’s “BuddyCamp + REST API” track will be announced the closer we get to the conference. We are looking forward to educating the local community and hope this starts a trend of knowledgable workshops and tracks in future WordCamps in 2017!

Grab your weekend ticket now to make sure you can attend. Developers should also come to our Learn JavaScript Depply workshop on Sunday, March 26th!

Announcing BuddyCamp Miami 2017!

 

What Is A BuddyCamp?

TcHTOhsrBuddyCamp is a mini-conference (or a workshop) that focuses on the BuddyPress and bbPress plugins. This unique conference focuses on how you can use these plugins as you use WordPress to build SOCIAL or COMMUNITY sites and web applications for you or your clients.

As of now, the schedule follows a traditional WordCamp format, with beginner sessions along with designer / developer presentations. Key people and contributors will be speaking, answering questions, and hanging out.

But That’s Not All – Here Comes The WP-REST API!

Would you like to learn more about the WP-REST API. Perhaps you want to prepare for the day when BuddyPress has it’s own REST API. Either way, if you want to lean about the WP-REST API we are planning on including some instruction into this workshop for developers!


BuddyCamp Miami has been happening for FOUR years. Attendance has been strong every year, and we’re happy the community has supported the longest running BuddyPress event. Seriously 4 or 5 years is sometimes remarkable for a plugin to exist, let alone have a conference for it.

Lead organizers of BuddyPress even call Miami the unofficial home of BuddyCamps (are we misquoting? probably). Please check out BuddyCamp Miami videos on wordpress.tv from our last WordCamp Miami.

What is the date for BuddyCamp Miami 2017?

Our confirmed date is March 24th, 2017 (a Friday). 

Some of our confirmed speakers include…

John James Jacoby: One of the core contributors to BuddyPress… he will be talking about the current state of the plugin and answer questions.

Tara Claeys: Will be reviewing case studies and helping attendees appreciate how they can use BuddyPress for their own projects.

Tanner Moushey: Will be covering how to use BuddyPress to build a successful community site, and at the same time not just focused on features.

…and more speakers talking about the WordPress/BuddyPress REST API!

Tickets coming soon!

Watch this site for ticket announcements, which are coming IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. You can also follow us on Twitter at @wordcampmiami and @buddycampmia for more details.

Please spread the word, and we look forward to seeing many of you at the fourth BuddyCamp in Miami!

WordCamp Miami 2017 is over. Check out the next edition!