About us

Dear West Orlando WordPress Members,

When we started West Orlando WordPress in November of 2018, we had no idea how successful it would become. We went from a single small meeting per month of 6-10 people in a borrowed space at Sonata West to an office space at Horizon West, where up to 20 would attend each meeting. And then to multiple meetings per month at Axum Coffee and online.

During that journey, we helped many of you build businesses, blogs, and hobbies online with advice and encouragement.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything else was being canceled, we continued meeting online, providing continuity and community.

And now, as we come into our 8th year, with great thanks to the late Hope Wehrle, Brian Walton, Karen Greene, Alan Fuelling, Tara Nelson, Ken Young, and others who've helped throughout the years, I'm sad to report that it's time for us, as organizers, to say adieu to West Orlando WordPress.

This decision wasn't made lightly. It has come about due to several personal and professional goals and schedules competing with our efforts to rebuild a thriving community after a 2-year decline in attendance at our meetups. We imagine the decline is for the same reasons: we're all very busy, and keeping appointments for optional events has been tough to do.

But all is not lost! WordPress Orlando https://www.meetup.com/wordpress-orlando/ has offered to take over the West Orlando WordPress website, where we've amassed a variety of tutorials, blog posts, and Third Thursday presentation videos. We'll also be giving them the YouTube channel where we published our videos, so they can continue to respond to comments.

Who knows? Maybe someone will feel inspired to step forward and reinvigorate West Orlando WordPress. Maybe that's you!

If you're looking for alternative meetups, WordPress Orlando meets at Foxtail Coffee in Winter Park quite regularly. And you're also welcome to sign up for the excellent Build Mode online meetup sponsored by WP Engine. https://wpengine.com/builders/events/

Thanks again for the community and memories, and best of everything with your WordPress endeavors!

Sincerely,

Rob Watson