#WPLDN, the monthly WordPress-focused meetup in London running since 2008, has issued a call for sponsorship following shifts in marketing budgets across the WordPress ecosystem that have affected its corporate sponsorship support. This has impacted its ability to meet ongoing costs, including venue hire, recording, and other event essentials.
Keeping #WPLDN running
For nearly two decades, #WPLDN said its monthly events have been supported through corporate sponsorship from companies within the WordPress ecosystem, “ For 18 years, #WPLDN has been funded by corporate sponsorship. Companies in the WordPress ecosystem have covered the venue, the pizza, the recording equipment, and everything else that goes into running a free monthly event in central London. We’re incredibly grateful to every partner who’s made that possible.”
Addressing the changes affecting the event, the organisers said, “ But the landscape is changing. Marketing budgets across the WordPress ecosystem are shifting, and several long-standing sponsors have stepped back. That’s not a criticism of anyone. It’s just the reality of where the industry is right now.”
The organisers said they had previously shared an update with the community about the challenges facing the event, which led to members asking how they could support #WPLDN.
In response, #WPLDN launched a GitHub Sponsors page, describing it as a way for community members to contribute directly toward keeping the monthly event running, “ We’ve set up a GitHub Sponsors page for WPLDN. It’s a simple, transparent way for anyone who values what we do to contribute directly to keeping the event running.”
The contributions can be made either monthly or as one-off payments, with funds going toward venue hire, recording, and other event-related costs.
The organisers said GitHub Sponsors was chosen because GitHub does not take a cut from contributions made through personal accounts, “ It’s straightforward and low-friction, and GitHub doesn’t take a cut of contributions from personal accounts, so 100% of your support reaches us.”
The organisers also highlighted that the GitHub Sponsors initiative is not intended to replace corporate sponsorship, adding that #WPLDN continues to welcome partners interested in supporting the event.
What the GitHub Sponsors initiative offers, the organisers said, is an additional layer of support for the long-running event, “ What GitHub Sponsors does is give us a second leg to stand on. It means the event isn’t entirely dependent on corporate budget cycles, and it gives the community a direct way to invest in something they value.”
Support tiers on the GitHub Sponsors page range from $14 per month for individual contributions to $500 per month for corporate-level sponsorship. The organisers have set a monthly funding goal of $400 through the platform.
Overview of #WPLDN
The first WordPress community meetup in London took place on 13 August 2008, after which Keith Devon continued the initiative through regular monthly events. The organisational team later expanded with the addition of Dan Maby, Graham Armfield, and Ngaire Ackerley in 2013, while Annabelle Woodger and Gary Jones joined in 2017 to support the events.
#WPLDN hosts its events on the last Thursday of every month, with attendees in the range of 40-50 people. The event usually features two or three talks, along with a Q&A session and networking opportunities.