This past weekend, I had the chance to attend WordCamp Montclair—a local, community-organized WordPress conference held right here in New Jersey.
For anyone who hasn’t been to a WordCamp before, these events are all about sharing knowledge, building connections, and celebrating the open-source spirit of WordPress. From hobbyists and solo devs to agency owners and plugin creators, the entire WordPress ecosystem shows up—and that’s what makes it so special.
Here’s a look at some of the standout sessions I attended and what I took away from each.
Table of Contents
- Enhancing WordPress Security with Lucas Alvarado
- Accelerate Your Agency’s Workflows with AI
- Practical AI for Content Performance with John Matsuya
- Debugging from Beginner to Advanced with K. Adam White
- Partnering with Purpose with Jodie Fiorenza
- Essential Content-Centric Plugins with Laura Byrne
- Why You Might Not Need an Accessibility Specialist with Matt Litzinger
- Final Thoughts
🔐 1. Enhancing WordPress Security with Lucas Alvarado
Security is one of those topics that’s often put off—until it’s too late. Lucas Alvarado did a fantastic job breaking down common vulnerabilities like outdated plugins, weak passwords, and insecure hosting. His real-world examples of hacked sites were sobering, but his actionable tips on 2FA, database hardening, and using security plugins gave me practical steps to implement right away.
One big takeaway: automate updates, monitor threats, and always back up your site.
🤖 2. Accelerate Your Agency’s Workflows with AI
Courtney Robertson & Evan Herman dove deep into how AI is reshaping WordPress development. From smarter onboarding to rapid content generation and even automated code builds, the tools they showcased were seriously impressive.
I especially liked their demo of WP Playground for safe sandbox testing—it’s a game-changer for agencies like mine looking to iterate quickly and safely.
📈 3. Practical AI for Content Performance with John Matsuya
John took a refreshingly grounded approach to AI. He cut through the hype and focused on where AI genuinely adds value—data analysis, SEO content suggestions, and editorial workflows. His perspective on ethical AI use in publishing hit home. The main point? Use AI as a tool to amplify strategy, not replace it.
🧠 4. Agencies in the Age of AI: Evolution, Not Extinction with Keanan Koppenhaver
Keanan delivered one of the most thought-provoking talks of the day. He explored how web agencies have shifted since 2014—and how AI is changing the game yet again. But rather than sounding the alarm, he reframed it as an opportunity.
With tools like Vercel’s v0 generating full landing pages from a simple prompt, agencies now have three key paths forward:
- Focus on complex custom work beyond AI’s reach
- Deliver fast, simple solutions using AI-enhanced workflows
- Become AI implementation experts for existing clients
The session ended with a live demo and actionable strategies to evolve your services and stay ahead. It was one of the most empowering moments of the weekend.
🤝 5. Partnering with Purpose with Jodie Fiorenza
This talk was a great reminder that running a successful business is about relationships, not just deliverables. Jodie shared how to set clear expectations, build trust, and nurture partnerships that last. As someone who works closely with small business clients, her advice on communication and collaboration really stuck with me.
🔌 6. Essential Content-Centric Plugins with Laura Byrne
Laura introduced four go-to plugins for content-driven websites: Yoast, Stackable, Gravity Forms, and Newsletter. It was great to see real-life examples (like the Studio Players’ website) of how these tools can simplify content creation and boost engagement. Stackable especially caught my eye as a way to enhance design without custom code.
♿ 7. Why You Might Not Need an Accessibility Specialist with Matt Litzinger
Accessibility is something I care about deeply, and Matt’s session was incredibly empowering. He showed how even solo devs and small teams can tackle accessibility head-on by following best practices and using the right tools.
His digital worksheet was a practical touch, and I left feeling better equipped to make every site I build more inclusive.
Final Thoughts
WordCamp Montclair reminded me why I love working with WordPress—not just the software, but the community. Everyone was welcoming, the sessions were packed with value, and I walked away with new tools, fresh insights, and a ton of inspiration. If you ever get the chance to attend a WordCamp, do it. It’s one of the best ways to grow as a developer, creator, and WordPress professional.
Until next time, Montclair 👋
