WordCamp US Phoenix 2026
Two weeks ago, we packed our things and hit the road to Phoenix, AZ, for WordCamp US. And, as always, people are at the heart of WCUS. We enjoyed lots of lovely conversations in the sponsor hall, shared ideas over coffee or a glass of wine, and dueled in Pacman or air hockey with the very best in the community.
Here are some of our other takeaways:
Content is back
One of the most interesting things we heard repeatedly at WordCamp US was some version of the same sentiment: content is back.
After a couple of years in which much of the conversation revolved around how quickly AI could generate more articles, social posts, images, and just about everything else, the pendulum seems to be swinging back toward a more important question: Is any of it actually good?
Volume is no longer an advantage. The opportunity now is in creating things that are genuinely useful, original, well-researched, entertaining, insightful, or unmistakably informed by real human experience. We heard clients talking about expert-led, original content, thought leadership videos and LinkedIn content, and other formats that give audiences a reason to pay attention and AI something worth citing.
So yes: content is back. More specifically, good content is back and better than ever.
There’s a clear return to craft
Yes, there was still a lot of focus on AI and preparations for the agentic web, but at the heart of the conference, WCUS 26 felt like a return to craft.
There were sessions on block creation, design systems, and skill-building that highlighted the importance of the human touch at every step of the process.
And WCUS showcased the talent and creativity of the community. We got to paint our own Wapuus, color Arizona-themed postcards, contribute to a giant Lego WordPress logo, customize a Woo belt bag, engrave a keychain, screen print a reusable tote, get a custom drawing from a caricature artist, and purchase products from real Woo stores.
Our favorite sessions:
A big thanks to the WCUS organizers, who always do an outstanding job with every single detail. We left Phoenix fired up to put what we learned into practice and keep showing up for the WordPress community.
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