On my 2017 vision board, I posted specific words and images that would provide visual reminders to beef up my knowledge of utilizing WordPress as my blog’s hosting tool. Last Saturday, I checked off that box when I attended WordCamp in Amish Country.

2017 WordCamp Lancaster
WordCamp in Amish Country. Petinfohub.net photo of Amish Buggy.

I compare WordCamp to the Amish community because both are unassuming. We all know the Amish maintain a primitive lifestyle. They shun modern conveniences like electricity and cars. Does anyone remember the 1985 movie Witness? The film provided a chance to peek into the Amish community.

2017 WordCamp Lancaster
WordCamp in Amish Country. 2017 logo for WordCamp in Lancaster County.

On the other hand, WordCamp in Amish Country was hosted at an Intermediate Unit School Building in Lancaster. The class cost $20.00 and provided healthy lunch choices (snacks, too!) for 150 attendees (give or take) from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

2017 WordCamp Lancaster
WordCamp in Amish Country. 2017 WordCamp Lancaster Notebook and lariat for the badge.

The WordCamp setting was low-key. Nevertheless, the significant sponsors made the event worthwhile. Sponsors included Bold Grid, Woo Commerce, JetPack, and Blue Host, as well as Go Daddy, Redx Wed Design, WPML.org, DreamHost, SiteGround, Paid Membership Pro, SiteLock, and Pantheon.

WordCamp in Amish Country. 2105 WordCamp Philly badge.

I attended my first WordCamp in Philly in 2015. It opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes aspect of using WordPress.org. However, I was still wet behind the ears and did not understand what I needed to know.

WordCamp in Amish Country. 2017 WordCamp Lancaster, first class, “What You Should Know About the WordPress Rest API As An End User by Speaker Jason Coleman.

This time around, except for the coding sessions, I get it. A Saturday day devoted to all things WordPress, including Plug-ins, Filters, Rest API, and writing excellent website copy, to name a few. I made a full day of notetaking but, more importantly, access to the experts to ask specific questions about my concerns.

2017 WordCamp Lancaster
WordCamp in Amish Country. 2017 WordCamp Lancaster Opening Session.

I ended the day with a one-on-one sit-down with one of the experts critiquing my blog. I shared my Google Blog Scorecard ratings; one area of my concern is the visitor mobile experience with the Age of Grace. Shari Medini from Push Pull Sales made vital recommendations I plan to implement. Stay tuned for changes!

If you would like to check to see if WordCamp provides classes in your area, visit the WordCamp site or view the entire list of sessions offered by WordCamp in Amish Country.

Have a fabulous, stylish, and fierce week.