About WordCamp Calgary

Scheduled for May 28th and 29th at Fort Calgary, this year’s conference is embracing a theme of “Music”. Learn how to make your WordPress site sing as experts within the Calgary WordPress Community share their expertise on the power of WordPress.

We have organized a variety of sessions, panels and workshops to push your WordPress web site to the best it can be. Network and learn from others within the local Calgary WordPress during this jam packed two day event that is sure to make you a better WordPress user.


Meet the Organizers

Rae Carlson

Rae started building websites and reselling hosting accounts in Grade 7. Back then, their weapon of choice was FrontPage (and sometimes Flash), but when Rae discovered WordPress in 2007, their life was changed forever.  One-part developer and two-parts designer, Rae is O.K. with you describing them as a WordPress Unicorn.  Unicorns are freakin’ magical.

When Rae moved to Canada in 2013, they attended the first WordCamp YYC and was instantly hooked on building the community in Calgary. The following year, Rae became the head organizer of the Calgary WordPress Meetup group and spooled-up a new media agency called Abtek Web Design.  When Rae is not speaking truth from the pulpit of WordPress, they’re probably networking, playing poker or watching re-runs of Star Trek.

Michael Tighe

Mike is the founder of Solid (asolidsite.com). His background is in front end web development & design, and his current focus is in UX, web strategy, content creation, and inbound marketing.

Mike is focused on making lasting and functional products, was an early adopter to responsive mobile design, and thinks that user experience design matters just as much for the admin panel as it does for the site.

Tony Grimes

Business owner, artist and technology therapist with 14 years experience in software development and online strategy. His company, Siteline Solutions, is a web and software developer specializing in web/software development and online marketing strategy.

In 2009 Tony founded Pixels and Pints, a monthly networking series for graphic designers and web developers. The group of almost 500 members meets every second Tuesday of the month in the Beltline area. The group expanded into barcamp and code sprint events in 2011

Connor Turner

As a UX Designer, front-end developer, WordPress guru, and social media expert; Connor has over ten years within the web design and start-up industry. He has worked with clients on a variety of projects in Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa,Toronto, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Austin, TX. He has also been featured as an online expert for Metro Calgary, Global Calgary, CBC Alberta and was a speaker at SXSW 2010. Connor is avid WordPress Designer and Developer through his company Armadillo Studios Inc.. Connor is also known as the founder of yycApps, the creator of The AlbertaTweets Project and the founder of the Calgary ProBono Lounge. He also still dislikes Helevetica, but is warming up to it a bit more.

Megan Powell

Megan Powell is the graphic designer and owner behind Little Dot Creative, a boutique design studio for creative business owners. She’s passionate about clean, simple design and enjoys volunteering her time to help organizations and non-profits. Megan also enjoys cooking, reading and running.

Kasia Gawlak

Kasia Gawlak is an Edmonton-based freelance WordPress developer and marketing communications consultant working under the trade name CodeWord Media Design. She serves as a mentor and lead instructor for the Edmonton chapter of Ladies Learning Code, on the organizing committee for WordPress Edmonton and on the Board of Directors for Edmonton Poetry Festival. She has presented at industry conferences such as WordCamp Edmonton and iMedia. Beyond WordPress and web development, Kasia’s interests include wine, gardening, black eyeliner and high-heeled boots.

Tammy Lee

Tammy Lee is a Senior Web Developer with Top Draw Inc. She is on the committees for Social Media Breakfast Edmonton and WordPress Edmonton Meetup. She teaches at Ladies Learning Code, the U of A’s annual Young Scientists Conference, and Macwean.ca. You may have heard her speak at WordCamp Edmonton, SMBYEG, Nerd Nite or in your local coffee shop, late one evening, going on about the mating habits of butterflies or squid. It’s fascinating stuff. She’s also a writer so I’m pretty sure it’s legal for her to research this stuff. Pretty sure. Just don’t ask to see her browser history.

Christina Workman

Christina is a website builder and content manager at Amethyst Answers. She also possesses a rare gift of being able to translate “tech talk” into english. She also recently founded Kids Code Force, an organization dedicated to encouraging young students to learn and be inspired by coding.

Christina is also a purple-o-phile and tea junkie.

Carrie Mah

Carrie Mah is a senior Computer Science student at the University of Calgary. Interested in front-end development, UI and UX design, her studies focus on understanding users, improving interfaces, and applying design principles. Carrie also volunteers her time to hold workshops at conferences, teach children how to code, and expand student opportunities through extracurricular clubs. In her free time, Carrie also enjoys blogging, gaming, and cooking.

Nancy Seeger

Nancy Seeger is CEO of Seeger Consulting Inc, and has built a 20 year reputation for finding money holes in businesses. From major corporations like ITT Barton to member run organizations like Young Presidents Organization, Nancy finds ways to simplify processes or optimize resources allowing you more money to take home! Her real world experience in software automation, marketing, manufacturing, and online businesses enable her to bring real results that create a faster return on your investments, and supports your business growth! Join Nancy at the monthly Infusionsoft User Group Meetup, or connect through her website.

John Smiley

John digs alt rock and house, has a deep and abiding appreciation for chicken wings, and likes to think of himself as an idea man. He has both fantastic and terrible ideas, but doesn’t know one from the other until he’s falling off of something. He vaguely remembers blogging on WordPress version 1.5.