Great question. The first WordCamps did not feature speakers. Many were social gatherings of local WordPress community members. Over time, to attract attendees and speakers, WordCamps took shape to become flagship events with an organizing team, sponsors, a dedicated venue, catered lunch, and an after party or networking event. Ticket prices range from $10 to $50 to make conferences accessible to anyone. Historically, most WordCamp speakers worked for companies in the WordPress ecosystem and had their trips paid for by their employers. That is still the case today. Speaking at a WordCamp can be a fun, relaxing, out of the office day.
Support Inclusion in Tech wants to shift this paradigm to include any underrepresented speaker who wants these networking opportunities, mentorship and guidance, and a resume-enhancing experience.
The WordPress community wants speaker support. Our goal is to assist in creating a playing field where all voices have an opportunity to share their unique experiences at WordCamps. Together, we can realize a Fifth Freedom.