Checkout Summit Recap Reflections From the Organizer and Attendees

Checkout Summit Recap: Reflections From the Organizer and Attendees ![rw-book-cover](https://img.youtube.com/vi/A2w-5YAxYs0/maxresdefault.jpg) 🔗 **Source:** [Checkout Summit Recap: Reflections From the Organizer and Attendees](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2w-5YAxYs0) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: #woocommerce #ecommerce #community #conference #checkout-summit > author: Do the Woo > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2w-5YAxYs0 > date created: 2025-01-05 21:00 > > # 🏷️ Title: Checkout Summit Recap: Reflections from the Organizer and Attendees >  ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Consider attending Checkout Summit Reloaded online May 7-8 — remote version for missed speakers #woocommerce - [H2] Implement "content first" approach for future community events — story-driven presentations #community - [H3] Plan networking goals before attending Word Camp Europe — identify target attendees #networking ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [[#📝 Summary]] - [[#📖 Main Content]] - [[#🗒️ Notes]] - [[#📚 References]] - [[#🗣️ Paraphrase]] - [[#📰 Newsletter]] - [[#✅ Action Items]] - [[#🧪 Hypotheses]] - [[#📊 Methodology]] - [[#❓ Questions]] - [[#🔮 Future Research]] - [[#💡 Implications]] - [[#🧠 Learning Styles Assessment]] - [[#📊 Accessibility Assessment]] - [[#🌍 DEIB Assessment]] - [[#✅ Logical Validity]] - [[#🛡️ DARVO Analysis]] - [[#🎯 Conclusion]] ### 🔗 References - [Checkout Summit](https://checkoutsummit.com/) - [Business Bloomer Blog](https://businessbloomer.com/) ## 📝 Summary - Checkout Summit was the first dedicated WooCommerce in-person conference since 2017, held in Palermo, Sicily with ~110 attendees - The event focused on content-first approach with 12 curated talks over two days, emphasizing storytelling and WooCommerce-specific content - Organizer Rodolfo (Rulo) is planning Checkout Summit Reloaded (May 7-8, online) and next year's in-person event - Attendees valued the intimate size allowing deeper conversations, direct access to speakers, and honest feedback opportunities - Key stakeholders included WooCommerce core team, plugin developers, agencies, and some merchants, though more merchant attendance is desired ## 📖 Main Content Checkout Summit addressed a significant gap in the WooCommerce ecosystem - the lack of dedicated in-person conferences since WooCon ended in 2017. Organizer Rodolfo from Business Bloomer created this event to fill the need for WooCommerce-specific networking and learning opportunities. The conference took a "content first" approach, requiring speakers to include "WooCommerce" in talk titles and use storytelling methods to make presentations memorable. This differed from typical WordCamps where content submissions are open-call rather than curated. The intimate size (~110 attendees) was deliberately chosen to enable meaningful conversations and direct access between attendees, speakers, and WooCommerce team members. This contrasted sharply with larger events like WordCamp Europe (~2000+ attendees). ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=0) — [H1] Introduction and sponsor acknowledgments - Key idea: Omnisend and WooCommerce sponsor Do the Woo podcast - Evidence: "If you're thinking about switching email platforms but dreading the migration, Omnisend makes it easy" #### ⏱️ [02:45](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=165) — [H2] Guest introductions from Checkout Summit attendees - Key idea: Panel includes WooCommerce freelancer, enterprise developer, and WordPress optimization expert - Evidence: "I'm Rodolfo... been working as a WooCommerce freelance for about 14 years... founder of Business Bloomer" #### ⏱️ [06:15](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=375) — [H1] What is Checkout Summit and why it was needed - Key idea: First WooCommerce in-person conference since 2017 WooCon - Evidence: "The last official WooCommerce in-person conference was back in 2017... there was a huge need to get back into in-person conversations" #### ⏱️ [09:30](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=570) — [H2] Intimate event size enables deeper connections - Key idea: Small conferences prevent conversation interruption and allow follow-up discussions - Evidence: "There's a shift when a gathering of people becomes a crowd... you get to meet the person again and pick up that conversation" #### ⏱️ [12:00](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=720) — [H2] Content-first approach with storytelling requirement - Key idea: Speakers required to include WooCommerce in titles and use memorable stories - Evidence: "I asked them for two things. One was to have the WooCommerce keyword in the title... second, I asked them to use a story" #### ⏱️ [15:45](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=945) — [H3] Individual talk highlights and audience engagement - Key idea: Presentations sparked immediate thinking and questioning from attendees - Evidence: "People on the left and right started asking questions like... that means I need to think about my assumption here" #### ⏱️ [19:20](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=1160) — [H1] Checkout Summit Reloaded online event announcement - Key idea: May 7-8 online version for those who missed in-person event - Evidence: "I'm going to bring back all the speakers but we're going to redo the presentation... It's not a recording" #### ⏱️ [22:30](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=1350) — [H2] Attendee takeaways and business benefits - Key idea: Participants gained practical insights from pricing to strategic direction - Evidence: "I got a lot of... small, medium, and big ideas... things that I'm already putting into practice" #### ⏱️ [26:10](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=1570) — [H3] Crowdsourcing data through in-person conversations - Key idea: Face-to-face interactions yield more honest responses than online surveys - Evidence: "I asked every single person at the event how good their SEO is... it was really valuable to hear" #### ⏱️ [29:45](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=1785) — [H2] WooCommerce team accessibility and feedback collection - Key idea: Direct access to core team members enables better product feedback - Evidence: "People were just happy to come up to me and... ask a question or... tell me to look at a specific PR" #### ⏱️ [33:00](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=1980) — [H3] Areas for improvement: logistics and amenities - Key idea: Non-coffee beverage options and noise management needed - Evidence: "For those of us not drinking coffee... having a coffee break with other beverages included would be very nice" #### ⏱️ [36:30](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=2190) — [H2] Future plans and scaling considerations - Key idea: Success requires additional management team and potential multiple events - Evidence: "I want more managers to help me... we'll have a manager for the fun... for the coffee and the food" #### ⏱️ [40:15](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=2415) — [H1] Audience composition and recommendations - Key idea: Need more merchants and agencies, fewer plugin developers proportionally - Evidence: "I would love to see more store owners there... What are their actual problems?" #### ⏱️ [44:00](https://youtu.be/A2w-5YAxYs0?t=2640) — [H3] Comparison with larger events like WordCamp Europe - Key idea: Large events focus on networking, small events on content consumption - Evidence: "At the bigger events... you have the whole sponsors area... I spend a lot of time... in the hallways networking" ## 📚 References - [Checkout Summit](https://checkoutsummit.com/) - [Business Bloomer WooCommerce Blog](https://businessbloomer.com/) - [WooCommerce](https://woocommerce.com/) - [Do the Woo Podcast](https://dothewoo.io/) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - Checkout Summit filled a 7-year gap in WooCommerce-specific conferences, bringing together 110 community members in Sicily for focused learning and networking - The event's strength came from its intimate size and curated content approach, requiring speakers to use storytelling and include WooCommerce in their presentations - Success has created demand for multiple annual events and an online version (Reloaded) to reach those who couldn't attend in person ## 📰 Newsletter The WooCommerce community just experienced something special with Checkout Summit in Sicily - the first dedicated WooCommerce conference since 2017. With only 110 attendees, this intimate event proved that smaller, focused gatherings can deliver exceptional value through deeper conversations and direct access to core team members. The secret sauce? A "content first" approach requiring speakers to include WooCommerce in their talk titles and use memorable storytelling. This created presentations that stuck with attendees and sparked immediate implementation of new ideas. For those who missed it, Checkout Summit Reloaded runs May 7-8 online with all speakers presenting fresh versions of their talks. The success has organizer Rodolfo planning next year's in-person event plus potential additional locations. Resources: [Checkout Summit](https://checkoutsummit.com/), [Business Bloomer](https://businessbloomer.com/), [WooCommerce](https://woocommerce.com/) ## ✅ Action Items #### WordPress - Community: Support more WooCommerce-specific meetups and conferences beyond general WordPress events - Events: Consider intimate conference formats as alternative to large-scale WordCamps #### WooCommerce - Community Engagement: Increase presence at third-party WooCommerce events for direct user feedback - Developer Relations: Facilitate more in-person touchpoints with plugin developers and agencies - Product Feedback: Establish formal channels for conference-based user input collection #### Community - Event Organizers: Implement content-first curation with storytelling requirements - Agencies: Increase participation in WooCommerce events to share real-world implementation challenges - Merchants: Attend developer-focused events to bridge gap between builders and users ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Small conference format (100-150 attendees) generates higher quality networking than large events (2000+ attendees) - Curated speaker selection with storytelling requirements creates more memorable and actionable content than open submissions - WooCommerce-specific events attract different audience composition than general WordPress conferences - Direct access to product team at events yields more honest feedback than remote survey methods ### 📊 Methodology - Survey comparison between Checkout Summit attendees and WordCamp Europe attendees on networking quality metrics - Content retention analysis comparing story-based vs technical presentation formats - Feedback quality assessment between in-person vs online collection methods ### ❓ Questions - How can conferences better attract merchant attendance without alienating developer audiences? - What's the optimal conference size for balancing intimate networking with diverse perspective representation? - How should conference themes be selected to create focused value while maintaining broad appeal? ### 🔮 Future Research - Multi-location conference coordination strategies for global WooCommerce community - Content curation methodologies that maintain quality while scaling speaker programs - Hybrid event formats that preserve in-person intimacy while enabling remote participation ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Conference organizers should prioritize content curation over open submissions for specialized events - Community: WooCommerce ecosystem needs multiple annual touchpoints beyond general WordPress events - Product: Direct user feedback at events provides higher quality input than digital channels alone - Education: Storytelling requirements make technical content more memorable and actionable ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 12th grade (technical business content) #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Video discussion format with multiple speakers - Improve: Conference photos, venue layouts, attendee composition charts #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Full audio discussion available - Improve: Key quotes highlighted for easy reference #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Rich storytelling examples, conference analogies, experience comparisons - Improve: Glossary of conference terminology, speaker background definitions #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Actionable conference planning steps described - Improve: Conference evaluation checklists, networking activity guides #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Clear timeline from 2017 WooCon to 2024 Checkout Summit, attendee size comparisons - Improve: Cost-benefit analysis of different conference formats #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Multiple perspectives from different attendee types - Improve: Discussion prompts for community groups planning event attendance #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual reflection on conference benefits and takeaways - Improve: Self-assessment questions for determining conference value #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Sicily location context and environment impact on experience - Improve: Sustainable conference planning considerations ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear heading structure, speaker identification - Improve: Timestamp formatting for better navigation #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard YouTube controls available - Improve: Chapter markers for easier topic jumping #### Contrast and readability - Present: Standard text formatting meets contrast requirements - Improve: Transcript formatting with better visual hierarchy #### Text resizing and reflow - Present: Responsive text layout - Improve: Ensure tables remain readable at 200% zoom #### Media and captions - Present: Video with full transcript provided - Improve: Auto-generated captions could be professionally edited #### Forms and interactions - Present: Minimal form requirements - Improve: Better labeling for any interactive elements ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: International attendees from multiple countries mentioned - Improve: More explicit discussion of accessibility for global attendance #### Inclusive language - Present: Gender-neutral event descriptions, welcoming tone - Improve: Address economic barriers to conference attendance #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Recognition that different people prefer different event sizes - Improve: Discuss sensory considerations for conference planning #### Representation - Present: Diverse speaker backgrounds and business types - Improve: More explicit focus on underrepresented groups in tech #### Psychological safety - Present: Emphasis on supportive community atmosphere - Improve: Discussion of anti-harassment policies and inclusive practices ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: Clear progression from problem (no WC conferences) to solution (Checkout Summit) - Inductive strength: Multiple attendee perspectives support positive experience claims - Causal reasoning: Well-established link between event size and networking quality - Analogical strength: Effective comparison between different conference formats #### Fallacies - Survivorship bias: Only successful attendees interviewed, no dissenting voices - Hasty generalization: Single event success doesn't guarantee format viability #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Enthusiastic and promotional while acknowledging areas for improvement ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No concerning denial patterns observed - Attack: No attacks on critics or alternative approaches - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender reversal present - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Appropriately enthusiastic tone for community event discussion ## 🎯 Conclusion Checkout Summit successfully demonstrated the value of intimate, WooCommerce-specific conferences after a 7-year gap in dedicated events. The content-first approach with storytelling requirements and the ~110 attendee size created an environment for meaningful connections and actionable learning that larger events struggle to provide. The planned Reloaded online version and future in-person events suggest this format addresses real community needs and could become a sustainable model for specialized WordPress ecosystem conferences. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad Purpose: Stage CEE --- ## Full Transcript [00:26] Hey. [00:29] Hey. [00:40] Thanks to our sponsors, Omnisend and [00:42] Woo. If you're thinking about switching [00:45] email platforms but dreading the [00:47] migration, Omnisend makes it easy. [00:50] They'll move your automations, [00:52] templates, and contacts for you so [00:54] you're ready from day one. Plus, you get [00:57] support whenever you need it. Visit them [00:59] at omnisend.com/open [01:02] channels. [01:04] If you build stores for clients, Woo [01:06] Commerce gives you the flexibility to [01:08] create exactly what merchants need. [01:11] Customize workflows, extend with [01:13] thousands of integrations, and scale [01:15] without switching platforms. You stay in [01:18] control as every store grows and [01:20] evolves. Check them out at [01:21] woocommerce.com. [01:31] Hello, welcome to Do the Woo, the [01:34] podcast where we talk about all things [01:36] Woo Commerce. I'm James Kemp. I'm the [01:39] core product manager for Woo Commerce. [01:42] >> And I'm Katy Keith, founder and CEO at [01:44] Barn 2. And James and I, well, actually [01:48] all of us have just returned from [01:50] Checkout Summit in beautiful Palmo, [01:52] Sicily, where um James and I were both [01:55] speakers and Patrick. Um, today we're [01:58] going to talk about Checkout Summit and [01:59] what we learned from it. [02:02] >> Indeed. Uh, you said Ralph has returned [02:04] from Checkout Summit, but he has stayed [02:06] in the same place because that is where [02:08] he lives. [02:09] >> Yeah, he returned a few miles. [02:10] >> We've returned Yeah. 15 minutes or [02:12] something. [02:14] >> Uh, so yeah, we've invited three of the [02:16] people that uh we know and met uh this [02:20] past week at Checkout Summit uh which [02:23] is, you know, Rulo, Remus, and Patrick. [02:26] Um, if you wouldn't mind taking a minute [02:29] and just introducing yourselves. Uh, [02:31] should we start with Rulo? [02:34] >> Sure. Hello everyone. Uh, so I'm Rodulo. [02:38] I'm not going to say my second name [02:39] because it's a little bit complex, but [02:41] you would know by know me by Rodolf. H [02:45] been working as a WooCommerce freelance [02:48] for about 14 years. uh founder of [02:52] Business Bloomer, the popular [02:54] WooCommerce blog, and now founder of [02:57] Checkout Summit. So, the finally [03:01] uh inerson conference that just ended [03:05] three days ago uh in Palmo and I'm so [03:08] happy that we did whatever we did. [03:13] >> Amazing. Patrick, do you want to go? [03:16] >> Uh yes, my name is Patrick. I've like to [03:18] joke that on everything in Woo Commerce [03:20] uh in in in e-commerce. Uh most recently [03:23] I've been working at Zero Shoes. This is [03:25] a huge large enterprise e-commerce sites [03:27] and I like fixing the bugs and fixing [03:30] them in core. So that's what I've done [03:31] recently with Woo. [03:36] >> Go ahead Ramus. [03:38] >> Do I do I need to do the introduction [03:40] Woo related or because [03:43] >> however you want to introduce yourself. [03:45] Um, I'm Chris Dereeze. I do a lot of [03:48] different things with WordPress and uh [03:51] specifically Woo, mostly ro around um [03:56] scaling and optimizing Woo Commerce. [04:00] >> Nice. Well, thanks to all of you for [04:02] being here. For those of you watching [04:04] live, uh please ask us your questions [04:06] and leave comments or any feedback about [04:08] Checkout Summit just to scare Rulo in [04:11] the comments wherever you're watching [04:12] this. [04:15] Yeah, I think a great place to start [04:18] would be to talk about what is Checkout [04:21] Summit. Uh I know we had um I can't [04:25] recall when it was maybe March. We had a [04:27] session with Ralfulo [04:29] uh about Checkout Summit and that was [04:31] kind of pre uh pre-checkout summit [04:34] before all everything kicked off. Um I'm [04:37] sure Ralfulo was very stressed at the [04:39] time. [04:41] hopefully is a lot more relaxed now uh [04:45] or stressed starting to plan the next [04:47] one. But um Rulfu, did you want to uh [04:50] give us a quick overview of Checkout [04:53] Summit and kind of set the scene for [04:55] what its goals were? [04:58] >> Yeah, I mean that's a that's a great [05:01] question. I think there are a couple of [05:03] points that we should be covering here. [05:05] First is that the last official [05:08] WooCommerce Inerson conference was back [05:11] in 2017. So that was the third edition [05:14] of Woo Com. And um I actually never went [05:19] to them because they were back in the US [05:22] at the time. I wasn't really um you know [05:25] able to travel that much and there was a [05:30] huge need to get back into inerson [05:34] conversations. I mean, we've had work [05:36] camps, we've had meetups and everything, [05:38] but I really wanted something that was [05:40] woocommerce only. And the second thing [05:43] is that, you know, it's been a two I [05:46] mean plus years that we've been dealing [05:48] with AI. So we all tend to be in our [05:53] rooms slash offices whatever it is uh [05:56] you know co-working spaces cafes uh [05:59] getting work done but then uh we never [06:01] have a chance to talk in person. We [06:04] never have a chance to ask the difficult [06:07] questions that maybe you cannot ask uh [06:10] on social media or in a Slack channel. [06:13] So, you know, meeting in person with [06:16] WooCommerce and with the WooCommerce [06:18] community is something that I always [06:20] wanted to do or something that, you [06:23] know, I've asked WooCommerce to do in [06:25] the last few years. So, I said, you know [06:28] what? Let's do this. Let's start again. [06:32] And maybe this will mean that there will [06:34] be more events, more chances to learn [06:38] from each other, more chances to connect [06:40] within the community, and more chances [06:43] to talk about woo and talk to and [06:46] hopefully we achieved some of this. [06:50] >> Yeah, I think the risk is now that [06:51] you've done it so well [06:54] that it's it's down to you now. [06:57] >> Oh, lots of room for improvement. [06:59] Always. [07:00] >> Always. [07:02] Yeah. Well, I thought it was really [07:04] great being like in a room with loads of [07:06] people that are interested in Woo [07:08] Commerce, which I'd never done before. [07:10] Actually, I'm I'm actually really liking [07:12] these small events that are targeted. [07:14] Like there's press conf, which is more [07:16] about I don't know the leadership and [07:18] side of things and that and now there's [07:20] Checkout Summit as well for the Woo [07:22] Commerce side of things. So, I really [07:24] like that. Um, how about you Patrick? [07:26] What did you think of the vibe overall [07:28] and what was it what you expected? [07:31] I really liked it. Um, and I'm a little [07:33] biased because I helped run the first [07:35] uh, Wuks. Um, but I really liked [07:38] Checkout Summits. I I guess I thought [07:39] that everyone there wanted to be there. [07:42] Like no one's boss sent them there [07:44] because they had to be there. Um, and I [07:46] I just appreciate that every single [07:48] person was there and wanted to learn and [07:50] wanted to engage. And there was a lot of [07:52] I think what Ralph was saying earlier, [07:53] there was a lot of moments of [07:54] serendipity to meet the right people or [07:56] meet the plug-in vendor that you've [07:58] worked with or or just form connections [08:00] that you couldn't have otherwise have [08:01] formed. So, I loved the vibe. [08:04] >> What about you, Remiss? [08:06] >> It'd be weird if I said I didn't like [08:08] the vibe now, wouldn't it? But, uh, [08:10] >> go for it. We want controversy. [08:12] >> No, no, no. I think the um [08:16] what Rulo said in terms of the the the [08:20] size of the audience uh no you said that [08:22] uh Katie you said it but um the the [08:27] there's a shift when a crowd when when a [08:30] gathering of people becomes a crowd and [08:33] uh that's not necessarily bad but the [08:36] dynamic of the conversations just [08:37] shifts. um you start a conversation with [08:40] somebody, somebody else comes along and [08:42] then the conversation goes in a [08:43] different direction, but you haven't [08:45] finished the original conversation. Now, [08:47] check out Summit was a perfect example [08:49] of where you have that situation, you [08:53] get to meet the person again and you [08:55] pick up that conversation and you [08:56] continue throughout the what was it 3 4 [08:58] days that we were there. [09:00] um that as a as a core principle of how [09:05] a smaller event works is uh I think [09:09] exactly what we need in these types of [09:11] scenarios for I mean I think the same [09:14] goes for for Prescom and um uh I'm I'm [09:18] I'm uh working on an idea similar to [09:21] this um where there's a sort of cap [09:26] maybe 150 170 175 that's sort of it [09:30] above 200. I know it feels already this [09:32] is a lot of people and um to have this [09:35] situation where you have access to the [09:38] people doing the presentations uh we [09:41] have James in the background fixing [09:42] everything that we mentioned on the fly [09:45] which was perfect. Uh but to to to have [09:50] that sort of dynamic is I think uh [09:52] incredibly valuable to have and uh and [09:55] hats off to Rulfo in how everything was [09:58] organized. Uh considering this is uh [10:01] basically him doing this solo and his [10:04] first time. So um um I have nothing but [10:07] positive um feedback. [10:10] >> Well, that wasn't very controversial, [10:12] was it? [10:12] >> No, I mean I mean it's controversial [10:14] that I'm not controversial. How about [10:16] that? [10:16] >> Fine. [10:19] >> Um yeah, [10:21] >> we should have more of these. [10:23] >> Yeah, I I completely agree. Uh the the [10:27] size of the event was um to be fair most [10:31] of the conferences that I've been to [10:34] have been word camps which are I guess [10:38] 10 times the number of people typically [10:42] at a good one. [10:43] >> Yeah. [10:44] >> Europe is about 2,000 plus. [10:46] >> Yeah. So webcam Europe is [10:48] 20 times I guess. Is that if my maths is [10:52] working for me? [10:53] >> Um yeah. And it it can even feel, you [10:57] know, quite overwhelming to constantly [11:00] be, you know, greeting new people. Uh [11:03] even just remembering conversations that [11:05] you've just had and you started a new [11:07] one, like you say. Um and yeah, I I feel [11:11] like Check out Summit didn't feel [11:13] overwhelming at all. Um [11:17] I I imagine it helped that the space was [11:20] quite large as well. So we had, you [11:22] know, fewer people in a larger space [11:23] where you could kind of break out um, [11:26] you know, into into smaller groups to [11:28] just chat. And, uh, also everyone there [11:31] felt very, [11:33] uh, it felt very passionate about Woo [11:36] Commerce in general and, you know, [11:38] wanting to see Woo Commerce succeed. Um [11:42] and I feel like it generated a lot of [11:45] buzz uh you know among the people there [11:49] of of just thinking [11:51] uh and just generally understanding that [11:53] okay Woo Commerce is you know on the [11:56] right track. there's there's stuff [11:58] happening uh and and this is a great way [12:00] to kind of showcase all of the things [12:02] that people are doing within Woo [12:05] Commerce and actually just talking about [12:07] it and having some visibility into that. [12:11] Um which leads quite nicely into [12:14] talking about some of the talks that [12:16] happened. Uh so Rulo, correct me if I'm [12:19] wrong, but there were 12 uh talks that [12:22] happened over the two days. [12:24] >> Yep. Um, my talk was my first talk, uh, [12:28] if if we're not counting the the Q&A [12:30] that Katie and I did last year. Um, [12:33] which opened the, uh, the event, which [12:36] was, uh, you know, very, uh, very much [12:39] appreciate you allowing me to do that. [12:42] Um, I tried to [12:45] I think one of the things you get with [12:47] the smaller sized crowd as well is that [12:49] you can it it feels appropriate to be, [12:53] you know, more open, more honest, uh, [12:56] because it's such an intimate crowd. Um, [13:00] and you know, as I was talking through [13:02] some of the stuff that I was talking [13:03] about, [13:05] um, it felt like I was actually engaging [13:07] with the audience that was there. you [13:09] know, questions happened during the talk [13:12] even that that felt, you know, natural [13:14] and and not out of place, which you [13:17] wouldn't be able to do at a at a larger [13:18] event, I don't think. Um, [13:22] so yeah, Patrick closed the talks, [13:26] right? You were the last talk on the [13:27] second day. [13:30] >> Yours is one of the ones that really [13:31] stuck with me. I told you at the event [13:33] uh that the way it was framed I felt [13:36] like you know it kind of led with a lot [13:38] of storytelling [13:40] um and really [13:43] kind of set the scene I think of um the [13:47] comparisons that we we often get uh Woo [13:51] Commerce versus Shopify. Um and I really [13:53] liked the analogy used uh and it it [13:56] definitely stuck with me that session. [13:59] Um, but I'm interested to know, uh, [14:01] Ramus, maybe if you wanna [14:04] tell me what your favorite talk was and [14:06] why it was mine. [14:10] >> Cocky. I like it. [14:12] Um, [14:16] favorite. Um, [14:18] >> or which one stuck with you? There's I [14:20] think all of them were very good. It is. [14:22] >> Yeah. I I I think that so uh I should [14:26] probably start saying that uh I'm [14:28] probably not the average audience. So I [14:30] listened with a different ear. Um [14:34] some talks to me were uh good as a as a [14:39] conversation starter and some were [14:40] really good to start thinking. And um I [14:46] think uh Patrick's for sure is one that [14:49] made everybody think and you could tell [14:52] because it was happening during uh your [14:54] presentation Patrick. People on the left [14:56] and right started asking questions like [14:58] what do you how you know all these these [15:00] oh hold on that that means I need to [15:02] think about my assumption here and that [15:03] that sort of stuff. Um, I really enjoyed [15:06] uh your opening as well because it gave [15:09] us a good insight into what's actually [15:11] happening behind the scenes at Woo, how [15:13] large the organization is, what the what [15:16] what it consists of, uh, that sort of [15:19] thing. Um, [15:21] I don't know. I think the um I think [15:23] it's hard for me to pick one, but [15:25] because I think there's a few [15:27] conversations that I went like, huh, [15:29] interesting. Uh, that that I hadn't [15:32] thought about that angle uh just yet. I [15:34] mean, Katie had stuff in there where I [15:36] like, "Oh, that's interesting." I I I [15:37] specifically asked her for a copy of one [15:39] of her slides because I was like, I I [15:41] want to think about this a little bit [15:42] more with my good friend Chhatty. Um [15:46] it it it's again, it's hard to pinpoint [15:48] one thing. The um I forgot who did the [15:52] talk about the um oh Remy Remy Coron. Uh [15:55] I really enjoyed that one as well [15:57] because it's a very different angle to [15:59] all things Woo. It's about how does Woo [16:02] and Woo based sites how they survive in [16:05] this uh AI world that we are just [16:08] sinking in deeper and deeper. Um so [16:12] yeah, long-winded answer to this. I [16:13] don't really have a favorite favorite. [16:15] There's quite a few talks that just [16:17] really made me think about things. I [16:19] I've written down a lot of notes and I'm [16:21] uh I was decompressing uh uh Monday and [16:24] and Tuesday as I was driving back uh [16:27] Saturday and Sunday. [16:30] uh just processing uh the last two days [16:33] of of things to check out and learn more [16:36] about and I' I'd say all of the talks [16:38] had some elements of that and maybe some [16:40] more. [16:42] >> Yeah, for sure. It felt like there was [16:44] um a good coverage of topics as well. I [16:48] think like we were we were all talking [16:50] about Woo Commerce in some way uh and [16:52] there was some overlap in in the [16:54] discussions we were having and I think [16:55] that uh kind of helped the conversations [16:58] as well. Um, I know there was two talks [17:01] that were backtoback and and overlapped [17:04] a bit and we kind of stuck around. We [17:06] didn't take a break in between. Uh, and [17:08] that was that was really cool. Um, Rula, [17:11] I'm interested to know [17:14] obviously you uh chose the people to [17:16] talk and you kind of [17:19] had uh you were involved a lot during [17:23] the the planning process of people [17:24] actually creating the talks and I'm [17:26] wondering uh how you felt those talks [17:29] turned out and and what stood out to you [17:31] even you know on a general level. [17:35] >> Yeah. Um, [17:37] I have to be honest with you. Um, I've [17:40] always tried to get work camps to get [17:45] back into being content first. [17:48] >> Mhm. [17:48] >> And I think content [17:51] is the reason why people should go to [17:53] work camps or events in general. Yes, [17:56] it's about connections. Yes, it's about [17:58] the hallway track. Yes, it's about, you [18:01] know, chatting to people. and even [18:03] myself, you know, going back there every [18:05] year work campu just to see my friends. [18:08] But content is such an important thing. [18:11] So being content first was my my first [18:14] goal and you know out of 12 speakers I [18:18] can fairly say also looking at the the [18:21] survey that I sent out I mean people [18:23] have been pretty happy with it. I mean [18:25] we had you know business talks you know [18:28] K and Josh as well was excellent from [18:32] you know coming from Australia to to [18:34] share his system for you know running a [18:37] plug-in business actually multiple [18:40] plug-in businesses you know we had SEO [18:43] we had you know two three maybe AI talks [18:47] which were very relevant uh we got what [18:51] is really important is that I ask people [18:53] for two things. One was to have the [18:56] WooCommerce keyword in the title, which [18:59] is something that I always go look [19:00] searching for whenever I go to a work [19:03] camp. And second, I asked them to use a [19:07] story because a story is what people [19:10] then remember. I mean, if we say Coke, [19:14] Pepsi, I don't want to, you know, I [19:15] didn't want to mention brand names, but [19:18] we already know that we're talking about [19:20] Patrick's uh great presentation. You [19:23] know, if we talk about, you know, [19:25] someone burning out and not uh getting a [19:28] day off for three years, we know that [19:30] that's Josh before it put, you know, it [19:33] system into place. If we know about [19:35] building in public, we know that that's [19:37] Katie's with her amazing, you know, [19:40] Shopify story and so on. So, you know, I [19:43] think stories and then being on target [19:46] are the two most important things for [19:48] talks. then you know loads of [19:52] information, lots of great things but [19:55] then people come to you and ask you the [19:56] questions that they want to ask you. So [19:58] those are were my two key uh [20:02] requirements if we want to use that [20:04] word. [20:08] >> Yeah. And I think um being story based [20:11] and being quite personal [20:14] in in many cases [20:16] opens the door a bit to allowing people [20:19] to come up to you and and ask you know [20:22] more uh [20:25] I guess personal uh questions or you [20:28] know um you you can connect a bit more. [20:31] I think it it's less uh less of a [20:34] business transaction and more of a you [20:37] know actually meeting a person and and [20:38] and talking about this world that we all [20:41] work in. Um [20:45] Patrick, did you have uh any takeaways [20:47] from uh from the talks? And [20:51] >> I I did. Um so first of all, thank you [20:53] guys for saying nice things. I was [20:55] finishing my slides on the plane, so I'm [20:57] really happy that it it came across the [20:59] finish line because it was a little [21:00] later than than I normally am prepared. [21:02] Uh I really like Josh Kobach's talk. Um [21:05] >> I'm already a fan of EOS if people have [21:07] read that book traction. I just think [21:09] it's a phenomenal book for [21:10] entrepreneurs. Uh there was one se [21:12] sometimes though it's like one sentence [21:14] sticks in your brain and then you walk [21:16] home and it's and the one sentence from [21:18] that talk was good enough is not good [21:19] enough and that was about hiring people [21:21] and I was like because I I've been in [21:23] some situations where we've you know [21:26] where we've hired someone to do a thing [21:28] and then you spend more time training [21:30] the person than they give you time back [21:31] and so that that for me was a really big [21:33] unlock of like when you hire someone [21:34] they need to they need to save you time [21:37] otherwise it's it's not really worth [21:38] hiring them. Um, anyways, that was that [21:40] was just like one section, one slide of [21:42] his talk that just really hit me. So, I [21:44] love that part. [21:46] >> Yeah, I've been reflecting on that [21:48] particular bit as well. Um, one reason I [21:51] think the talks work so well was because [21:54] Rulo really curated and planned them to [21:57] the extent of publishing a blog post of [21:59] your ideal speaker lineup which covered [22:02] a range of topics and so on. And even [22:04] though not all of those people ended up [22:06] attending, I think that curated approach [22:08] can make a real difference, which is [22:10] actually not allowed at word camps, is [22:12] it? Because they have to have people [22:14] submit and then choose based on what [22:17] comes in. It's a bit of a different [22:18] process. [22:22] >> Yes. I mean, I guess that, but also, you [22:25] know, we had a call for speakers. So, [22:27] you know, I had a a list of people I [22:29] really wanted to hear from, but also I [22:32] definitely wasn't expecting someone to, [22:34] you know, flying from Brisbane or [22:37] someone else coming from Denver or, you [22:40] know, someone else like Matty Cohen [22:42] coming from, uh, South Africa and so on. [22:45] So I mean I was really impressed by the [22:50] level and the quality uh of each talk [22:54] and I'm pretty happy with that. Of [22:56] course you know one can do always [22:58] better. I mean I was talking to Ramos a [23:02] few days ago and he said you know what [23:05] would really work in here is to have a a [23:08] yearly theme. So you select something [23:12] within WooCommerce that you want to [23:14] cover. I mean this year could have been [23:17] you know automation or WooCommerce and [23:19] AI or running you know a WooCommerce [23:23] plug-in business in the age of AI could [23:25] have been something like that and you [23:27] know all the talks would have been [23:29] around a certain uh topic and you could [23:32] have put together you know a better [23:34] audience or something super relevant but [23:37] you know the this is all food for [23:39] thought and there is room you know to [23:41] improve but you know I think I did a [23:44] good job with selecting the people with [23:47] following up with them. I mean, we all [23:49] had a a one-to-one call if possible or [23:52] by the way loads of email exchanges to [23:54] take a look at the slides to see what [23:57] they could cover to agree on a on an [23:59] actual title and an outline. I think [24:02] that was an amazing thing to do that you [24:05] can only do when you only have 12 [24:06] speakers. I mean, if I had 60, I could [24:09] have never done that. [24:11] Yeah, I think this is probably a good [24:14] time to mention check out Summit [24:15] Reloaded in case anybody is watching [24:18] this and thinking, well, these talks [24:20] sound great, but I missed them. So, what [24:23] can I get out of this? So, I suppose one [24:25] purpose of this wrap-up is so that if [24:27] people do feel like they missed out on a [24:29] talk that sounded good, there is a way [24:31] for them to watch it still. Do you want [24:33] to discuss that a bit, Rulo? [24:36] >> Yeah, I want to start by saying that [24:38] this wasn't meant to be. I mean the uh [24:42] conference or checkout summit was [24:44] designed not to have a a live stream and [24:48] not to have recordings. Um I really [24:51] wanted to give 100% value to the people [24:55] who would be showing up in person. Um [24:59] over the last few months I mean [25:01] everything happened. I mean, you name [25:03] it. The wars, the whatever, the flights, [25:07] cancellations, [25:09] people couldn't get the visas, people [25:11] really wanted to be there. Um, I don't [25:14] know what else happened. Like, I can [25:16] probably, you know, list a few things [25:18] like people cutting budgets and, you [25:21] know, everything's so expensive. I don't [25:23] know what's going on in this time of the [25:25] year. So um I just basically almost [25:29] changed my mind and I said you know what [25:33] I'm going to retaking redoing rerunning [25:37] the conference [25:39] uh this time remotely after a couple of [25:42] weeks and this is going to be on May the [25:45] 7th and May the 8th. So I'm going to [25:48] bring back all the speakers but we're [25:50] going to redo the presentation. We're [25:51] going to redo retake them live. It's not [25:54] a recording, which I tend not to like [25:58] because a recording of an in-person [26:01] conference is not the same. I mean, if [26:04] you watch it online, um, an online [26:07] presentation is different. It's shorter. [26:09] It goes straight to the point. While an [26:11] in-person conference, as James said, [26:14] it's more personal. It gives you more [26:17] time to interact with the audience. But [26:20] I wanted to do this for this time and [26:24] hopefully only this time and give the [26:27] chance to people to rewatch these [26:29] amazing speakers and listen to these [26:32] amazing content. So that's the plan. We [26:35] will have the same 12 plus some [26:37] additional guest speakers as well in [26:40] between sessions. So we're never going [26:42] to get a break. There is not a coffee [26:44] break, but there will be some fireside [26:46] chats uh in between the the 12 keynote [26:50] speakers and we're going to have fun for [26:52] a couple of days. [26:54] >> Yeah, looking forward to it. Well, when [26:57] I attend events, I always expect I'm [26:59] quite strict with this. I want some [27:01] actual business benefit that I can [27:03] implement when I get back. And so, and I [27:06] even write lists of what I got out of [27:08] these events and publish them because I [27:10] think people need to know um this side [27:12] of things. So, for me, I got a lot out [27:15] of it. I got to spend time with my team [27:17] who we don't see each other in person [27:19] very much. Uh meeting other members of [27:21] the Woo community, of course, and I got [27:23] a lot of well, small, medium, and big [27:26] ideas. Um a really long list [27:28] surprisingly, of things that I'm already [27:30] putting into practice. um right from [27:33] pricing changes to big strategic um [27:36] things to consider. So I want to know [27:38] what the rest of you got out of [27:40] attending. Should we start with Patrick? [27:47] >> I think Patrick might be frozen. [27:49] >> He's either that or he's thinking really [27:51] >> thinking. Yeah. Okay, let's go to Remus. [27:56] Um, [27:58] I didn't have a specific goal like that. [28:02] Um, [28:06] the the premise was I get to see uh and [28:10] talk to uh people deep into the Woo [28:14] Commerce ecosystem. [28:16] Um, that to me was essentially uh enough [28:21] for me to say, "Okay, let's let's let's [28:22] go here." Um obviously Sicily and [28:25] driving through Italy and all of that uh [28:28] uh was also pulling but um so for me the [28:32] thing that I got from the event itself [28:34] is probably [28:37] uh well I already mentioned the the bits [28:39] and pieces of of hey I hadn't thought [28:41] about that angle or that's an [28:43] interesting thought or uh I think it was [28:45] Josh who referenced a couple of books [28:47] that I was like okay and I I love [28:48] reading so um uh my list of books uh [28:52] that I still have to read is uh is still [28:54] growing but uh there's always room for [28:57] more. [28:58] Um I think for me the the biggest thing [29:01] that I got from it is understanding the [29:05] various angles that are that are not [29:08] agency related that from you know that's [29:10] my perspective. So all the plug-in [29:12] builders um [29:15] that sort of angle I'm aware of it but [29:18] hearing from uh from you guys what's [29:21] actually happening how that works and [29:24] this is not just from the presentation [29:25] but also from the conversations right so [29:27] uh Kestrel was there um [29:31] I forget any other names now but um [29:34] getting getting uh my questions that I [29:37] had for them into conversations is for [29:40] me the most valuable part um in part of [29:42] something that I've been preparing which [29:44] I uh uh launched uh yesterday and I [29:47] don't want to hijack it in that [29:48] direction but I had questions and I'm [29:52] asking those questions um to get a [29:56] better gauge of what the community wants [29:58] needs and how I can help with that. Um, [30:01] so yeah, I had a lot of um [30:05] small and big interesting [30:08] um [30:09] uh bits of information essentially. I [30:11] don't think there's a huge big chunk of [30:13] ah this is what I got from it, but it's [30:15] the conversations and you know the [30:17] questions being asked back and forth and [30:19] just getting a bigger and better uh [30:22] insight into all things uh woo. It's a [30:25] lot larger than people think. It's a lot [30:28] lot larger than people think. Um and I [30:31] think understanding that when you are in [30:33] those rooms and getting to talk to the [30:36] people uh that in itself just opens up [30:39] your mind in terms of different angles, [30:41] different ideas, different and you know [30:44] we we we need I certainly need those [30:47] little um oh I don't know what the [30:49] English word is but the the the the [30:52] little pinpoints that [30:55] uh trigger you into huh Okay. [30:59] Interesting. You know, those types of uh [31:02] aha moments. Um that that to me is is is [31:05] the biggest takeaway like the the whole [31:08] connectiveness and all that you can [31:10] learn from everybody. [31:14] >> That makes sense. [31:15] >> Um feel free to plug your launch. I know [31:19] you've launched something yesterday. [31:20] You've also you're launching something [31:22] else very soon. [31:23] I well I announced that I am uh you're [31:27] referring to the scanfully thing and I'm [31:29] uh yesterday I announced that I'm going [31:30] to introduce uh uh the within WordPress [31:34] guild which is um uh an online community [31:38] with the sole goal of helping you uh [31:41] level up in all things WordPress. Um, so [31:43] from workers uh builders to devs to [31:46] agencies, [31:48] there's a lot of education that is just [31:50] uh flatout wrong and there's a lot of uh [31:53] room for proper education. Uh, and I [31:56] have a whole bunch of ideas on how to [31:57] help that particular angle. Um, and I'm [32:00] calling it the guild and if you go to [32:02] remusdefreeze.com [32:04] you can find my latest blog entry. [32:08] >> Awesome. [32:10] >> Thank you. Uh Patrick, we did ask you [32:12] first, but you froze for for a moment. [32:15] >> Perfect timing. Yes. Um so Remus, that [32:19] was a wonderful answer. That was very [32:21] like noble. I I I'll share something a [32:23] little selfish, maybe. Um and I think [32:26] it's okay to go to a conference and be [32:29] um to have something that you want to [32:30] get out of it. Um so I'm the person at [32:32] Zero Shoes who is closest to SEO. Um, [32:35] and I basically asked every single [32:37] person at the event how good their SEO [32:40] is. And it was just really valuable to [32:42] hear from business owners and agencies [32:45] and people who run store owners that [32:48] they're all struggling with SEO. They're [32:50] all down between X and X percent. And it [32:54] was just, you know, I don't always read [32:56] everything. I you shouldn't trust [32:57] everything you read online. And so it's [32:59] really helpful to go to an event and [33:01] really get a I guess crowdsource that [33:02] data. So, I crowdsourced some SEO data [33:05] and that was that was really helpful for [33:07] me and and what I'm sure I'm going to be [33:08] doing at Zero Shoes in the next couple [33:10] weeks. [33:11] >> Yeah, I did exactly the same. I asked [33:13] all the product people their sales and [33:15] in person people are more likely to [33:17] answer. So, that was interesting also to [33:20] analyze what categories of products are [33:23] doing better and worse um based on their [33:25] type of products and their marketing [33:27] channels and things like that. So, I did [33:29] get some insights from being able to ask [33:31] these personal questions in person. What [33:35] about you, James? What was the most [33:37] valuable bit for you? [33:39] >> Yeah, I think for me, and I kind of [33:42] touched on it in in my talk, actually, [33:43] is [33:45] uh something that I've always done when [33:47] I was running Iconic before. Um, and [33:49] then something I wanted to bring to Woo [33:51] Commerce was to just be, uh, very open [33:54] about what we're building, uh, and also [33:58] open to receiving feedback and, you [34:00] know, talking to people about what they [34:02] want. Uh, and there's so many people [34:04] using Woo Commerce that there's, you [34:06] know, tons of uh, feedback and often [34:09] conflicting feedback that comes through [34:11] um, about how people want to use the [34:13] platform. [34:14] Uh, but I find those conversations [34:17] really helpful, really good. Um, and I [34:21] think this was the ideal place to have [34:25] those conversations. Um, [34:28] you can do some of that at, you know, [34:30] word camps and things, but like we were [34:31] saying, the kind of the feeling of being [34:35] able to be a bit more open and honest [34:38] with your feedback, I think, is is [34:40] essential if we want to actually, you [34:43] know, implement the right things and and [34:46] take make decisions based on the [34:48] feedback that we're getting. Um, so for [34:51] me it's just a really great opportunity [34:54] to uh for Woo Commerce to have a [34:57] presence. You know, it's essential for [34:59] an event like this for us to to be [35:01] there. Um, and I think I really enjoyed [35:06] how people were just happy to come up to [35:09] me and, you know, ask a question or, you [35:12] know, tell me to look at a specific PR [35:14] that they submitted uh, and hasn't gone [35:17] through yet. and um you know being able [35:20] to come back now and actually [35:23] make sure that we're actually looking at [35:24] these things. Uh and there's so much [35:26] feedback that I need to kind of [35:29] summarize into uh a better frame of [35:34] writing than my, you know, notepad on my [35:36] iPhone. Um, [35:39] so yeah, I think [35:41] that's my biggest takeaway is just [35:45] making [35:47] those connections, making people aware [35:49] that you can talk to me, like I'm fully [35:52] receptive to uh any feedback that comes [35:55] through. Um, and I guess, you know, [35:58] setting the scene about what we do with [36:01] that feedback and why it why it might, [36:04] you know, take a while for us to [36:05] actually get to implementing that [36:08] feedback and how we're planning to [36:09] change that. So, [36:12] yeah. [36:16] Um, [36:18] I think we've spoken a lot about the [36:22] positives of Checkout Summit. Uh, and in [36:25] fact, I've I've not heard anyone say [36:27] anything bad about checkout summits. So, [36:29] I'm wondering um [36:32] what we feel could be improved. I [36:36] reached out to Rulfo the other day to [36:37] say the one thing that I would have [36:39] liked is to spend a bit more time on the [36:41] beach. Uh because we're in this, you [36:44] know, lovely place and I feel like we [36:46] spent a lot of it inside. So, it's uh [36:50] not directly relevant to the uh the [36:52] conference itself. It is. [36:55] >> It's It's the experience, I guess. Yeah. [36:57] Um, [36:59] >> but yeah, I you did so much so well that [37:02] I'm interested to see. I think Remus, [37:04] you have a either two points or you [37:06] you're just raising your hand. [37:08] >> I don't know. I have two points. I have [37:09] two points. Um, [37:13] Italy is known for its uh coffee [37:16] culture. for those of us not drinking [37:18] coffee. [37:20] I mean, I did I mean, for the record, I [37:22] tried my first espresso ever. [37:23] >> You did? [37:24] >> Uh, and that'll be the last espresso [37:27] ever. [37:30] Having a coffee break with other [37:33] beverages included would be very nice. [37:38] Uh, and again, I get it from a cultural [37:40] perspective and wanting to educate [37:42] people on you should drink coffee. I get [37:44] it. I get it. Um, no, [37:46] >> but that's uh [37:49] that was one I that I was missing. Uh, [37:51] my son as well, he uh doesn't drink too [37:53] much coffee. Um, [37:56] and I think the but this is entirely [37:58] outside of your uh control, but there [38:02] was a lot of noise in the hallways for [38:04] the hotel, which I know from a few [38:06] people were mentioning they were having [38:08] broken nights just because people were [38:10] just [38:12] socializing at 3:00 at night right [38:16] outside your hotel door. And I sleep [38:19] light unfortunately. Uh, so I was awake [38:22] a lot. But again, that's that's not [38:23] really in your control. But if I'm [38:26] honest, it's one of the things that is [38:28] standing out in terms of this could be [38:30] better. [38:30] >> Of course, everything is fixable. [38:33] >> I suppose if I drank coffee, the problem [38:36] would be less of a problem. So maybe [38:40] I'm up with like tea and something [38:43] relaxing before you go to bed. So you're [38:45] not gonna you're gonna not gonna listen [38:47] to the noise. [38:49] Well, I think uh earplugs are the [38:51] solution to that. [38:52] >> Yeah, [38:53] >> I've tried that. I can't sleep without [38:54] them. [38:55] >> I'll send you a link because I've got [38:56] some super comfy ones that [38:58] >> please do. Please do. I am looking. So, [39:01] but I have tried uh two different brands [39:03] and I'm like, [39:04] >> yeah, I'm the same. I find it very [39:05] uncomfortable. [39:06] >> Let me let me add anything one thing to [39:08] this, James, if you if I can. So, um as [39:13] as you all know, I've built these on on [39:16] my own basically. uh for the last 10 [39:19] months. I mean I didn't even you know [39:22] overwork or you know get stressed. I [39:24] mean everyone is saying oh you must have [39:26] been stressed. I mean I was fine. I was [39:28] just tired on day one because I didn't [39:30] sleep much the day before. But I was [39:34] fine. I'm still fine. Um I managed to do [39:38] everything on my own. And this was like [39:41] a test for me like an experiment like a [39:44] beta conference right. So the other day [39:49] I sent out the survey to the attendees [39:52] 100% anonymous and I'm kind of looking [39:55] at the things. I mean of course there [39:57] are things that won't have to fix. I [39:59] mean even a work camp with 3,000 people [40:02] after 15 years still gets you know some [40:07] feedback that you know you might want to [40:09] adjust the the the year after. So that's [40:12] totally fine. Uh I'm totally okay with [40:15] that. I slept after reading all those [40:17] reviews. [40:18] So nothing, you know, major. Everything [40:21] is fixable. [40:23] The most important thing that I will be [40:25] trying to do for sure is to get more [40:28] managers. [40:30] I I don't like to call them volunteers [40:33] because they definitely didn't [40:36] volunteer. I mean, I I like to pay [40:38] people. So I want more managers to help [40:41] me like to you know to fix each aspect [40:46] of the conference and if people want to [40:48] have more fun activities more beach [40:50] activity more side events we'll have a [40:53] manager for the phone we'll have a [40:55] manager for the coffee and the food [40:58] we'll have a manager for social media [41:01] and we'll have a manager for you know [41:04] lightning and noise and all that kind of [41:05] stuff management. So I guess all I have [41:09] to do now that I know that the format [41:12] works, that the size works, that the [41:14] content works, I just need to fix the [41:16] rest and only with the help of amazing [41:20] people, which by the way, I mean, you [41:22] all help me in some way or the other [41:24] during these 10 months. And even like [41:27] showing up, I mean, that was the, you [41:29] know, the best help you could give uh to [41:31] me. So, I just need to figure out, you [41:34] know, what's fixable and um come up with [41:38] some solutions and addition number two. [41:41] Hopefully, [41:43] >> for sure. I would say um [41:47] fun is less fun when it's managed. [41:52] But yeah, having having uh maybe even [41:55] even just an idea of like these are the [41:57] things that you can do in the area. Like [41:59] it doesn't need to be uh this is the [42:02] time that we're going, but just uh yeah, [42:05] I think I think that'd be great because [42:06] the location was, you know, incredible. [42:09] So, [42:11] um Patrick, [42:14] >> well, yeah, let me get out my giant list [42:16] of things for Rulo here. No, it was um [42:19] it was very very well organized. Um Rulo [42:23] picked me up from the airport which I I [42:25] think has has happened zero times, maybe [42:27] one time at a previous conference, but [42:30] really stellar. [42:32] No feedback really. If I if I if you [42:35] force me to have feedback, I will say [42:36] have a version of this in the US. That's [42:38] the uh the only feedback I can give. [42:42] >> Ask Woo Commerce. [42:45] You can you can keep asking. [42:50] >> Well, we have a very serious complaint [42:52] from Ian Meisner from Kestrel who says [42:55] it was too sunny and the landscape was [42:57] too beautiful. Too much free food, too. [43:02] Ian's very disappointed there. [43:04] >> But he does also say the coffee machine [43:06] in the breakfast area was actual [43:08] garbage. And if you ask them for a [43:10] coffee, at least they brought you a real [43:11] one instead. Um I'm in Remus' camp here. [43:15] I wouldn't know. And I think James is [43:17] the same. So you had a weirdly low [43:19] proportion of coffee drinkers actually. [43:21] >> Yeah. [43:23] Yeah. Matt Cromwell actually said that [43:26] near the breakfast area they had like [43:28] one of the best coffee machines that you [43:30] can have, but it was out of action. [43:32] >> Well, this was the only conference that [43:34] he didn't bring his own coffee making [43:36] equipment to because he was confident [43:38] that in Italy it would be okay. He is a [43:40] coffee drinker. [43:42] He certainly is. [43:45] >> Well, folks, as long as you're all [43:47] complaining about coffee and noise, like [43:49] I've done a great job. Like, no one has [43:51] complained about content. No one has [43:53] complained about side events. No one has [43:55] complained about you know, you know, [43:57] going to a beautiful place and, you [43:59] know, eating proper [44:00] >> food. Food was good. [44:01] >> I'm good. [44:02] >> Views were great. [44:03] >> Can we stop it here? Like, I don't want [44:04] to hear anything else. [44:06] >> Well, let's move on. Um, should you go [44:09] next year or attend Reloaded, the online [44:12] version? Uh, so Rula, you've already [44:15] talked a bit about Reloaded. I'd love to [44:17] know a bit more about your plans. I know [44:20] it's early days and you're probably [44:21] still evaluating and reflecting on what [44:23] you've just done. So, what are the [44:25] thoughts at the moment about what might [44:27] happen in the future, which we will not [44:29] hold you to? [44:31] >> Right. Let's say one thing and the one [44:34] thing that I want to say is that [44:38] one WooCommerce Inerson event is not [44:40] enough. I mean Patrick already said it [44:43] you know bring it to us. Someone said [44:46] bring it to Iceland. Some people say [44:48] take it to Japan. I mean people have [44:52] huge need to get back into inerson [44:55] conference conference just just about [44:58] woocommerce whether it's merchants [45:01] developers [45:03] uh you know owners [45:06] I mean you know product owners makers [45:09] founders I mean people want to meet [45:12] right so I basically have no choice I [45:15] mean now I have to redo it so it's not [45:18] even oh I'm stressed I thought about no [45:21] I basically am required to do it because [45:23] it worked out and you know you don't do [45:27] anything with one conference you have to [45:30] do it five times 10 times 15 times right [45:33] so on my end we're done we're going to [45:36] redo this next year um also [45:41] like you know we've been you know asking [45:44] WooCommerce forever to be doing more [45:47] events and you know they've been showing [45:49] up the meetups. They sent out their [45:51] developers theme to, you know, Croatia [45:54] and some other places as well. You know, [45:57] over the last few months, uh, [45:58] WooCommerce is, you know, pushing, you [46:01] know, themselves to build more in [46:03] public. Um, you know, I really see, you [46:08] know, the ideal scenario where we have [46:11] two, three, you know, in-person events, [46:14] where we have two, three online events [46:17] per year. I mean and where we have more [46:21] touch points with the WooCommerce team [46:24] because first of all we need to put a [46:26] face on the WooCommerce team. It's not a [46:29] software. It's you know a bunch of [46:33] amazing people and we need to know who [46:35] they are. We need to have a chat with [46:37] them which is not a Slack private [46:39] message. And second we need the [46:42] community to work together. And the only [46:45] place where the community can work [46:47] together is at a conference, at a [46:49] workshop, at an online meeting, in a [46:52] webinar, in a you know podcast. I mean, [46:56] we need the community to realign with [47:00] the WooCommerce software managers and [47:03] product owners and core um managers and [47:07] whatever and make sure we all grow [47:10] together because if Woo Commerce grows, [47:12] we grow. So, we want to help newcomers [47:15] grow as well because of that. [47:19] >> Yeah, absolutely. Um, we've got a [47:22] comment from Elliot Sersby who says, [47:24] "Couldn't attend this time, but check [47:26] out Summit. Look great from what was [47:28] posted online. Maybe next year." Well, [47:30] hopefully you'll be at Reloaded anyway, [47:33] so you won't miss this year's talks [47:34] either. [47:37] >> Yeah. I wonder Rulo is your plan next [47:40] year to do it in the same place or is [47:43] that a secret? [47:45] >> Well, um let's say that that's a secret. [47:48] I mean I am a person who like to see [47:52] data. [47:53] >> So I'm also a person who as I've [47:57] probably shown you showed you in the [47:59] last 10 months I like easy things at the [48:03] same time. So the only way not to [48:08] uh get stressed out or not to waste time [48:11] because I mean I have a life as well and [48:13] you know I have a business as well to [48:15] run. So I want to take a look at the [48:18] data. If the data is reasonably good and [48:20] is decent enough and you know the [48:23] majority of people are happy and they [48:25] tell me I will come back then we're [48:27] going to do it in the same place. [48:30] >> I don't assume that anything you did for [48:33] that was easy. [48:35] I think it was uh very well done, very [48:38] well executed. [48:40] Um [48:42] Patrick and Rimus, I wonder who [48:45] if you were to recommend Checkout Summit [48:48] 2027 to people, what kind of people [48:51] would you recommend it to? [48:54] >> Sure. I um I two things. Uh if you're [48:58] hungry to grow your business with Woo [49:00] Commerce, this is the event for you. Um, [49:02] so that's just generally broadly anyone [49:04] who's interested in just growing. Uh, [49:07] and then the second thing is I would [49:09] love to see more store owners there. [49:11] Like I I always want to hear from the [49:13] merchants directly. Um, like what are [49:15] their actual problems? What are they [49:17] trying to do? What what do they try to [49:19] not has not worked? So I I would love to [49:21] see a few more merchants go next year [49:23] because I I think there's value to be [49:25] had there. Um, but maybe merchants just [49:27] don't realize that there's value. So I [49:29] would love to see more of those next [49:30] year. [49:32] I'll I'll second that. That's that's [49:34] certainly the crowd that I would like to [49:36] see more uh as well. Um but also there's [49:41] there's tons of agencies out there uh [49:44] that are really really good at [49:47] delivering really solid w solid [49:49] WooCommerce sites and everything that [49:51] goes with it that I think just should [49:53] have been there. And I'm calling out for [49:55] instance Jimmy Rosen out of Sweden with [49:58] Angry Creative. he he he or one of his [50:00] team members, they should have been [50:02] there. Uh and I know the the reason why [50:04] they weren't, but I like calling them [50:06] out anyway. Um but that sort of angle is [50:11] uh if you have more of that in the mix [50:14] and so let's have the oh how many people [50:17] were there? 110 or so. Uh let's have the [50:20] next one be 150 people and that 40 make [50:23] up of that crowd where [50:26] you really have the people working with [50:28] it. So it's quite different from uh um [50:31] you know uh Katie what you're doing [50:33] you're building extensions on top of Woo [50:35] Commerce that that's a very important [50:36] angle and we need that but actually [50:40] working with your end product as well as [50:43] whatever WO is doing and allowing us to [50:45] do um potentially if you uh from the [50:48] hosting angle that can um can really uh [50:54] I think bring the better and more [50:56] complete mix And it kind of goes in line [50:59] with uh what Oradulo was referencing [51:02] that I said to him. If if you set a [51:04] little bit more of a theme for the [51:06] event, you you that that works as a [51:09] magnet, right? It it it attracts people [51:11] in a specific way. Now the talks were [51:13] good but they were all over which isn't [51:16] a bad thing but there's a potential for [51:19] a bit more focus when you have let's say [51:22] I I I absolutely want to highlight the [51:24] agencies more because the feedback that [51:26] we can get from them and you James and [51:29] and Brian and you know anybody from Woo [51:31] being being there you'll get better and [51:34] more complete feedback and that's [51:35] essentially what you need as well as [51:37] what we need as an attendee having [51:39] questions and seeing other people [51:41] struggle with the same thing or having [51:42] solutions for the same thing. Um, [51:46] yeah, I mean [51:48] that's the best answer I have for now. [51:50] >> It's a good answer. Yeah, I there's kind [51:52] of four distinct audiences I think. Uh, [51:55] we have like the plug-in developers that [51:56] build on top of Woo Commerce. We have [51:59] maybe five audiences. We have the [52:01] agencies, developers, builders that [52:04] create the websites for people. Uh we [52:07] have the merchants that actually are in [52:09] the system dayto-day, you know, taking [52:11] orders. Um and their counterparts who [52:15] might be, you know, shop shop assistants [52:17] and and store staff. Uh there's also the [52:21] the people that shop on a WooCommerce [52:24] website. So the customer, the merchants [52:26] customer, which we're not going to find [52:29] them uh necessarily. Um maybe there's [52:32] some people out there that are very [52:33] passionate about shopping on WooCommerce [52:35] websites. Uh but on [52:36] >> well we can turn that around the the [52:39] better we do our job the more people [52:41] will be on Woo the more we'll be [52:43] customers of Woo because everybody knows [52:45] this the shop experience right uh and [52:47] how smooth that works. So if more people [52:50] talk about how wonderful that works in [52:52] the WooCommerce context we'll have [52:56] them just be us. Yeah, I guess the [52:58] difference is um branding like Shopify [53:04] people are okay with Shopify uh things [53:07] being branded whereas typically if [53:09] you're using Woo you [53:11] >> you try and strip away all the branding. [53:14] >> Um but yeah, I I think there's a good [53:17] mix of audiences that that we could uh [53:20] we could get to these events. I think [53:22] typically we do see more of the plug-in [53:25] developers and builders. Uh I would love [53:28] to hear from more merchants. I I think [53:32] it's [53:34] I haven't seen like even at you know [53:37] word camps I don't tend to talk to [53:40] people that just use WordPress. Uh maybe [53:43] they're there but I they don't talk to [53:45] me. [53:46] >> They are they are [53:47] >> that's a a content problem. So [53:50] >> yeah, [53:51] >> if you had a full track or a team on [53:55] merchants or users, trust me, you would [53:58] get those people. So I guess it's it's [54:01] only a matter of finding the right angle [54:04] to the conference or the event or [54:06] whatever it is. I mean, we always have [54:09] to deal with different audiences. And it [54:12] could be even an event where you have [54:13] both as Patrick said. I mean, go and let [54:17] the merchants meet the agencies. Why [54:19] not? I mean, w if I don't remember uh [54:24] badly, it used to be something like [54:26] that. Or one year was for developers, [54:28] the second year was for merchants and [54:30] the third year you Patrick can say that. [54:34] >> Well, I'll just say that I have this job [54:36] now because I met the merchant at Wukon [54:38] Austin in like 2016. So, just so like [54:41] there are there are always merchants at [54:43] these events. There's just usually in [54:45] small numbers. Uh we did try to make [54:47] Wukon more for merchants, but it it's [54:50] hard to find them and you and you have [54:51] to have content for them. [54:54] >> Yeah. You know, I can't decide whether [54:56] the location is a positive or a negative [54:59] in terms of getting people to attend [55:01] because it was a beautiful location, but [55:03] it did require multiple flights for most [55:06] people and wasn't on a major hub. And I [55:08] think particularly when we're talking [55:10] about smaller agencies, freelancers, [55:12] merchants, [55:14] they are probably less likely to come. [55:16] Like Patrick, you just mentioned Austin. [55:18] Well, that's a hugely populated area. [55:20] And my guess is that the merchant you [55:22] met lived locally to that area. [55:25] >> No. [55:25] >> Really? [55:26] >> No. He lived in Denver. [55:27] >> Oh, okay. So, so within a one hop [55:30] flight, but they did fly to it. Yeah. [55:32] >> Yes. [55:33] >> Yeah. So, I can't decide whether a more [55:34] central location would get more people [55:37] or fewer. I suppose a central beautiful [55:39] location would tick all the boxes if [55:41] such a thing exists. [55:43] >> Well, let's say that if checkout summit [55:46] was not the only event, then it would be [55:49] totally fine wherever it is and then you [55:51] have one or two more somewhere else. [55:55] >> Yeah. Yeah, that would make sense. So, [55:59] we've got some couple of comments before [56:01] we finish. Um, following on from our [56:04] response a minute ago, Elliot says he is [56:06] signed up to Reloaded. So, that's great. [56:09] Dennis says that he hopes he can make it [56:12] to the summit next year. And we've also [56:15] got a question from Elliot who says, [56:18] "Word Camp Europe will be my first [56:20] WordPress event. Hopefully, not too [56:22] overwhelming. Would you say you prefer [56:24] the smaller events over large ones like [56:26] Word Camp, or do they both have their [56:28] own benefits?" Anyone got any answers or [56:31] advice for Elliot? [56:33] >> They both have their own benefits. [56:36] They're they're quite different in [56:38] audience. Uh but you you know the amount [56:42] of people will be the amount of people, [56:43] but you can treat a larger event uh [56:47] similarly to a small event if you just [56:50] focus on I'm I'm keeping my circle [56:52] small. Uh I'm you know there's people [56:54] who just really don't like the whole [56:56] engaging with 3,000 people. Uh, and I [56:59] get that. Um, so it doesn't need to [57:02] overwhelm you. There's ways of of doing [57:04] that. But the value you'll get from both [57:08] are [57:10] whatever you set out to want to get out [57:12] of it. You really need to think about [57:14] what do I want to get out of these types [57:15] of events. Uh, I play it kind of loosey [57:19] goosey, but I, you know, I've been going [57:21] to work camp since 2009, so uh, I kind [57:24] of know how to navigate around that. But [57:25] if it's your first one, um you'll have [57:29] fun at both just different [57:32] >> for sure. I think one of the biggest [57:34] differences for me um based on Checkout [57:37] Summit is that I actually attended uh [57:41] the talks where when I go to Word Camp [57:44] Europe, I spend a lot of time uh [57:46] actually out in the hallways networking [57:48] and talking to people. Um, and you know, [57:53] at the bigger events like Word Camp [57:54] Europe, you have the whole sponsors [57:56] area, which uh is is typically like half [58:01] the size of the venue, which is which is [58:03] always nice. Um, so you get to meet, you [58:06] know, a lot of people. You get to speak [58:07] to people from the companies that you [58:09] work with and maybe haven't met before. [58:12] Um, there's a much broader range of [58:14] topics at at a Word Camp Europe. So uh I [58:18] think you will find that maybe you want [58:21] to go see four or five talks and [58:24] actually a lot of the time you spend um [58:26] with people. So for me the bigger events [58:29] are much more about uh networking I [58:32] think um you know [58:36] and the smaller events are a bit of a [58:39] mix. I think specifically checkout [58:43] summit like every talk is is relevant to [58:45] to me at that event so it makes sense to [58:48] see them all. Um but yeah I think that's [58:50] one of the biggest differences. [58:54] >> Yeah my advice for someone that might be [58:55] feeling a bit overwhelmed at a big word [58:58] camp is uh one if there is a fremia [59:01] makers meetup and Elliot is a product [59:04] person so that would be relevant. The [59:06] Fremiest parties are always my favorite [59:08] thing about word camps when they happen. [59:11] I don't know if there will be one this [59:12] year because of the whole Israel [59:14] situation. I don't know if Fremius will [59:16] be able to travel. Uh but they generally [59:19] do a party at Word Camp Europe which is [59:21] invite only but they you know allow you [59:23] to go if you're a product person [59:25] basically. And that is a bit more like [59:27] checkups out summit in a way isn't it? I [59:29] mean in that it's tailored. every person [59:31] you meet will do something very similar [59:33] to you and it's much smaller and even if [59:37] that doesn't happen look at the other [59:39] side events and also the sponsor hall [59:42] which um James mentioned is is an easier [59:44] way to network than just wandering [59:46] around randomly because you can walk up [59:48] to any sponsor and start a conversation [59:50] with them which you can with anybody in [59:52] the corridor too but it's easier in the [59:55] sponsor hall I think [59:57] >> yeah and I think maybe go with some [59:59] intention of who you want to speak to [60:01] like uh they they tend to publish the [60:03] attendees if you choose to be published. [60:06] >> Um I've I found that the last word camp [60:09] I I did it the other way round where I [60:11] you know made my calendar available to [60:13] people to come and speak to me. Um but [60:16] that kind of gave a bit of a purpose to [60:19] to those meetings and and a bit of [60:21] structure to them. So that was that was [60:22] a good way to do it. [60:24] >> Yeah, that is good. either publish your [60:25] own calendar or book onto other people's [60:27] who have published their calendar and [60:29] then at least you know who you'll be [60:31] talking to at different times and [60:32] they're a bit structured. [60:36] >> Exactly. [60:38] Well, unless anyone has any additional [60:40] thoughts that they want to uh mention, [60:43] now is your your chance. [60:45] >> I just wanted to mention that check out [60:49] some it is like my baby. So I designed [60:52] it based on all the things that I like [60:56] about conferences. [60:58] >> So definitely the 150 uh people's mark [61:03] was by design because I tend to be [61:06] overwhelmed by 3,000 people. Having said [61:09] that, I keep going back to work camp [61:12] Europe because it's the closest uh to [61:14] where I live every year. And that's [61:17] because I know that, you know, I want to [61:19] see my friends. I want to have those two [61:22] or three chats. I want to talk to the [61:24] one or two sponsors and maybe I want to [61:27] speak which by the way I'm speaking at [61:29] work camp Europe finally about Woo [61:32] Commerce which is amazing and [61:33] >> finally [61:34] >> every year at work camp Europe we also [61:37] try to have either an official [61:39] WooCommerce meetup if WooCommerce will [61:42] will do it again as a couple of years [61:44] ago or an an unofficial meetup which by [61:48] the way it's a good way to meet you know [61:51] WooCommerce people product developers [61:53] ers and plug-in developers. I meant and [61:57] at the WooCommerce meetup uh one year [62:00] ago is where the checkup summit idea was [62:04] born. So I mean if I never [62:08] uh went to work camp Europe probably I [62:11] would have never come up with this. [62:13] >> And that that's that's a fun story. [62:17] >> You're welcome. And in that meeting last [62:19] year when we talked about it, I had no [62:21] idea what you would turn it into. You've [62:24] taken it so much further than I think [62:26] anybody in that meeting anticipated in a [62:28] positive way. [62:30] >> Awesome. Thank you. [62:32] >> I think I hope I delivered [62:35] >> if if I haven't said it already just on [62:38] behalf of uh Woo Commerce and the [62:41] community, I think um you know we we owe [62:43] you a massive thank you. I think uh the [62:46] event shows what's possible with having [62:48] a WooCommerce meetup and it's super [62:50] super valuable. So [62:52] >> yes, and if one person can figure this [62:55] out and organize this, I bet some other [62:59] people can do too. So you're super [63:02] welcome to organize your own conference. [63:05] some other WooCommerce people, agencies, [63:07] merchants, everyone is very welcome to, [63:11] you know, trying to come up with [63:12] something and, you know, have more [63:16] meetings, have more conference, more [63:17] events. [63:20] >> 100%. [63:21] Well, [63:22] >> working on it. [63:23] >> Thank you everyone for joining us. Uh, [63:26] it was awesome to see you all last week [63:28] and hopefully we'll see you soon. But [63:30] yeah, thanks for thanks for coming on. [63:33] >> Thanks. [63:33] >> Yeah. And if you don't already, please [63:36] subscribe to Do theWoo. We've been going [63:39] about three months now. Uh so wherever [63:42] you're watching this, then subscribe. [63:44] And you can also see all the places you [63:46] can subscribe on dothew.com. [63:49] Thanks for watching. Bye. [63:52] >> Thank you.  📄 **Full text:** ![[Full Document Contents/Articles/Checkout Summit Recap Reflections From the Organizer and Attendees.md|Checkout Summit Recap: Reflections From the Organizer and Attendees by YouTube]] ## Highlights - >> Always. Yeah. Well, I thought it was really great being like in a room with loads of people that are interested in Woo Commerce, which I'd never done before. Actually, I'm I'm actually really liking these small events that are targeted. Like there's press conf, which is more about I don't know the leadership and side of things and that and now there's Checkout Summit as well for the Woo Commerce side of things. So, I really like that. Um, how about you Patrick? What did you think of the vibe overall and what was it what you expected? ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kqfcs22rq0y3pwrg464fnzpq)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - I really liked it. Um, and I'm a little biased because I helped run the first uh, Wuks. Um, but I really liked Checkout Summits. I I guess I thought that everyone there wanted to be there. Like no one's boss sent them there because they had to be there. Um, and I I just appreciate that every single person was there and wanted to learn and wanted to engage. And there was a lot of I think what Ralph was saying earlier, there was a lot of moments of serendipity to meet the right people or meet the plug-in vendor that you've worked with or or just form connections ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kqfcs23c2ws1cacz018f9ee6)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - be, you know, greeting new people. Uh even just remembering conversations that you've just had and you started a new one, like you say. Um and yeah, I I feel like Check out Summit didn't feel overwhelming at all. Um I I imagine it helped that the space was quite large as well. So we had, you know, fewer people in a larger space where you could kind of break out um, you know, into into smaller groups to just chat. And, uh, also everyone there ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kqfcs246g7f3zwf4e9mzhazq)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - oh hold on that that means I need to think about my assumption here and that that sort of stuff. Um, I really enjoyed uh your opening as well because it gave us a good insight into what's actually happening behind the scenes at Woo, how large the organization is, what the what what it consists of, uh, that sort of thing. Um, I don't know. I think the um I think it's hard for me to pick one, but because I think there's a few conversations that I went like, huh, interesting. Uh, that that I hadn't ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kqfcs264fbnpan4jet2szbrx)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted - of of things to check out and learn more about and I' I'd say all of the talks had some elements of that and maybe some more. >> Yeah, for sure. It felt like there was um a good coverage of topics as well. I think like we were we were all talking about Woo Commerce in some way uh and there was some overlap in in the discussions we were having and I think that uh kind of helped the conversations as well. Um, I know there was two talks ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kqfcs28dyts7mvr5rcztmz06)) - Tags: 👻 ai highlighted