I’ve just landed in Phoenix, Arizona, for what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events in the WordPress business world in years: PressConf.

As I wrote last November, PressConf is picking up where PressNomics left off – five years after the last edition in 2019. The attendee list is tight, the sessions aren’t recorded, and the goal is simple: gather the people building businesses around WordPress and the open web, and give them space to have real conversations about the business of WordPress.

I’ll be here all week as a media partner for The Repository, sharing daily recaps and high-level takeaways. Here’s what I’m most looking forward to:

1. Hosting the big conversations

On Thursday (day one of PressConf), I’ll be hosting two fireside chats: first with WordPress Executive Director Mary Hubbard and Gutenberg Lead Architect Matías Ventura, and later with Crowd Favorite CEO Karim Marucchi.

We’ll be diving deep into some of the biggest questions facing the WordPress ecosystem right now – from WordPress’ future and community trust, to what Karim has been doing since teaming up with Joost de Valk in December to call for an end to Matt Mullenweg’s BDFL leadership of WordPress. These are the conversations I’m most excited to be part of.

2. Showing up – because you have to

If you want to be part of the conversations, you need to be in the room. The sessions won’t be recorded.

I love that. In a world of double-speed replays and endless online back and forth, there’s something powerful about slowing down, being present, and being in the same room together – face to face, distraction free. I’m expecting more thoughtful discussion, deeper connections and a whole lot less posturing.

I’m conscious that not everyone can travel, so I’ll be sharing what I can and following up on key themes, partnerships, and other news that comes out of this event in the coming weeks.

3. Naming the uncertainty

Let’s not pretend everything’s fine. Between corporate pullback, litigation between two of the biggest companies in the WordPress space, contributor burnout, leadership tensions, and a growing sense of fatigue among, well, everybody, WordPress – and everything it encapsulates – is going through it right now.

PressConf is a chance to ask: Where are we heading? Can we still thrive in this space? What needs to change if we’re going to keep building here? I don’t expect easy answers, but I’m looking forward to hearing how others are thinking it through.

4. Hearing from thoughtful doers

The lineup is packed with folks who aren’t just talking, but are out there doing the work.

Core committer Tammie Lister, who’s been described to me as a “quiet genius,” will be speaking about the hidden cost of contributor burnout. I’m looking forward to hearing from Jeremy Saxey, someone I haven’t heard speak before, about new approaches to governance and funding. 10up’s Jake Goldman is asking the pointed question: who is WordPress for anymore? And Kevin Geary is bringing the fire on visual development – and backing it up with real product momentum.

I’m intrigued by the title of Remkus de Vries’ talk, As Astra Per Aspera, which translates to “to the stars through hardships” – a reminder that perseverance is often a key ingredient of success.

Sally Strebel and Miriam Schwab’s talks appear less focused on business and more on showing up for everything else – family, friends, life outside work. A timely reminder for those of us spinning too many plates.

These are the kinds of sessions that spark ideas and action.

5. Following the ripple effects

Some of the most interesting parts of the conference will happen after it’s over.

What ideas will take root? What conversations will keep going? What partnerships will form? I’ll be following what unfolds — and watching closely to see what, if anything, PressConf sets in motion.

So if you’re heading to Tempe, I’ll see you soon. And if you’re not, I’ll do my best to keep you in the loop – minus the jet lag.

Image credit: Matthew Hamilton.