Last Saturday, August 29, we had the opportunity to host WordPress Campus Connect UCR Esparza, an event that brought together students, professors, and members of the WordPress community for a day filled with learning, projects, talks, and, above all, community.

But the story of this event began long before that Saturday.

Students, Community and Teachers posing for the photo

Building Partnerships from the Start

One of the first steps in making the event a reality was finding sponsors who wanted to support the initiative. Together with my team, we visited different local businesses in person to share our idea, explain what WordPress Campus Connect was about, where and when the event would take place, and, most importantly, why we believed it was important to create this kind of space for students.

Some of these businesses decided to believe in the project and become our sponsors. From that moment on, we stayed in close contact with them and received their support throughout the entire organization process.

One of our sponsors also gave us a valuable opportunity to conduct interviews with different members of the team, where we were able to explain what the event was about, its purpose, and what we hoped to achieve. This helped us introduce the initiative to more people and expand our reach before the big day.

A Day to Learn, Share, and Create

Finally, Saturday, August 29, arrived.

During the morning, we welcomed participants as they arrived to take part in the experience. The event brought together 45 people, primarily students from different universities in the area.

The day began with several talks. We had two WordPress professionals who shared their knowledge and experiences, as well as students from different fields who had the opportunity to share their own perspectives and what they had learned.

We also had a coffee and snack break during the morning, giving participants an opportunity to meet one another, have conversations, and begin building new connections.

Giveaways, Piñata, and Community

Beyond the learning experience, we wanted the event to have the fun and welcoming spirit that makes our community so special.

Before lunch, we held a raffle with prizes made possible through the support of our sponsors. Then, during lunchtime, we had one of the most fun moments of the day: a piñata! 🎉

It was a chance to relax, spend time together, and enjoy ourselves after a busy morning of activities. We also provided lunch for all participants, thanks to the support that helped make the event possible.