484 – Behind the scenes of PressConf: the business-focused WordPress event coming to Europe

Before we get into the podcast, a few words from me.

You might have noticed that there's been no new podcast episodes for a while. In the 10 years (and over 900 episodes) of this podcast, the most that I've ever taken off was a couple of weeks for Christmas and the summer holidays. So what's changed? A LOT!

With a good WordPress friend (Dan Maby) I've launched a SaaS app called show.fm. It's an app to help podcasters create their content with the least amount of fuss! It's kept us busy for years, but with the launch day looming, I decided to put the podcast on hold to get the app out the door.

From now on I'll be wearing the WordPress AND show.fm hats interchangeably, which I'm looking forward to.

So if you're podcasting, or thinking about having a podcast, you should check out show.fm for sure and our 'never to be repeated' Founders Deal - https://show.fm/founders/

Right, back to the podcast...

Today we have three guests, Raquel Manriquez, Jaume Freixa, and Carol Stambaugh, each bringing deep roots and wide-ranging experience in the WordPress ecosystem. Raquel has built and led agencies, worked for major theme companies, and created PressConf itself. Jaume is an active founder in the hosting and startup space, shaping products tailored to WordPress users across Europe, while Carol has been instrumental in organising the Arizona WordPress community, local Meetups, and WordCamps.

This episode is devoted to shining a light on PressConf, the intentionally intimate, business-focused WordPress event set to land in Barcelona at the end of October - really soon! The conversation opens with the story of PressConf’s origins and its connection to PressNomics, a much-loved event that centred WordPress business owners. With PressNomics no longer running, the need for a dedicated, high-level gathering for business leaders was clear, and so PressConf was born, with Raquel and her team determined to foster innovation.

We talk about why PressConf is the “hallway track” turned main event, featuring carefully selected speakers and TED-style sessions designed to challenge conventional thinking and spark candid dialogue about the realities of running WordPress-based businesses. Unlike WordCamps, there are no open calls for sales pitches or sponsored speaker slots, each talk is hand-crafted to "prioritise authenticity, vulnerability, and actionable inspiration". The event’s single-track format and shared hotel venue foster a close-knit environment where conversation flows naturally and connections deepen over days, not just coffee breaks.

We get into the balance between relaxation and high-impact learning, capped off by the Wonder Day, a tradition blending casual fun and networking to help cement relationships and ideas sparked in sessions. The group also discusses some cultural nuances between US and European business communities, especially around discussions of money and growth, and how PressConf aims to cultivate a safe, liberating space for those sometimes-taboo conversations.

If you’re interested in how WordPress business leaders are rethinking in-person events, what makes PressConf intentionally different, or just want a taste of what it’s like to connect with some of the most forward-thinking minds in the space (while maybe sneaking in a little Barcelona sightseeing), this episode is for you.