AJ Morris is the Managed WordPress Product Manager for Liquid Web, a fully managed hosting company. He has extensive experience both developing WordPress sites and speaking at WordPress events. AJ leads product and go to market strategy for Liquid Web’s Managed WordPress product line. Liquid Web’s Platform as a Service solution for WordPress hosting allows you to seamlessly host multiple sites and access top-quality 24/7 Heroic Support.

AJ Morris will be presenting “How to Build an Email List and Generate Qualified Leads with WordPress” on Saturday, October 15 at 9:50am in the Assembly Hall.

Why do use WordPress?

I use WordPress because I’ve continued to find it very easy to get what I’m looking for without having to do a lot of development myself. It’s amazing what you can do these days with WordPress and a few plugins and a good theme.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

I started using WordPress in 2006 when I was looking for something to start blogging with. I wasn’t a big fan of blogger and moveabletype was too confusing. I gave WordPress up for a few years as I got into Ruby on Rails development but quickly returned to WordPress to continue developing sites for clients.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?

If you want to learn how to use WordPress, how to build a blog or a website, you absolutely need to attend a WordCamp. Not only do you get local WordPress experts, but WordCamps attract a wide array of influencers in the space to either present or attend. You will learn more at a WordCamp than you can doing a few googles.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

The hallway track is my favorite. Getting to hang out with all my friends from all over the globe and being able to hear what they are all working on is great. The conversations you have in the hallway track are many times where you can hear about new products or opportunities that allow you to collaborate with others.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

If you are looking to start a WordPress based business, follow these people, Cory Miller, Rebecca Gill, Karim Marucchi, Chris Lema, Carrie Dils. They are all tried and true business professionals with decades of experience.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

I love photography and have been picking up a camera more and more now that I have my daughter.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

Cory Miller. He’s been a leader in the plugin and theme space for nearly a decade and is one of the hardest working people in the WordPress community I know. He cares passionately about his community and customers and makes sure that they have the tools that they need to prosper.

What has been your biggest WordPress related accomplishment to date?

Launching a popular Managed WordPress hosting product line. In a year we’ve been able to provide great hosting with expert WordPress help.

How have WordCamps impacted you and your business in the past?

When I was doing freelance and coaching, I found many clients from attending and speaking at WordCamps. Even found a few people to collaborate with.

Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”

Are looking for more ways to increase subscribers to your blog…

What is your favorite WordPress related resource?

My favorite WordPress resource would have to be PostStatus. You get to hear all about the business side of WordPress.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me online on Twitter, Facebook, Github, Instagram, etc. You can find me by just searching my name.

Kevin is actively involved with his community as the President of the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce and as an officer in the GL Masonic Lodge.

He has two Eagle Scout sons. His hobbies included snowboarding, water skiing, tournament chess, reading, upright bass guitar, and making sushi.

Kevin Skarritt will be presenting “Explode Your WordPress Business!” on Saturday, October 15 at 4:00pm in the Amphitheatre.

Why do use WordPress?

I’ve found there are seldom any good reasons to use any other CMS other than WP. Because I find most of my clients come from the SMB world, I find the WP learning curve is less steep for the average business owner … which leads to a higher happiness factor. How can you beat; fast, easy, powerful AND free?!

When and how did you start using WordPress?

I’ve been using WordPress since its earliest days (roughly 2004) when it was competing with MoveableType. It was just personal blogging back then (I’m not even sure we were using the word blog yet) but later that same year plugins and static pages were added to the mix. The clouds parted and the light shone down upon all of us. I can count the number of NON-wp websites I’ve built since then on one hand.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?

Regardless of your level of tech savvy, what facet of development you’re in, whether you’re a developer or a user, there’s SOMETHING there waiting for you to discover it! All you need to do is attend.

Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.

Connecting with awesome new professional peers AND THEN having a forum to bump into them again and again!

Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.

http://www.MariSmith.com

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

The networking BY FAR! And, although the presentations can’t go suuuper deep, you get to touch on all the latest/greatest ideas from some of the top pros in the biz. The value of that can’t be measured in $$.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

Talk to as many people as you can. Go to lunch with a new group each day. If there are time slots that have presentations that don’t resonate with you, there’s ALWAYS a brain-explosion going on out in the hallways. LOTS of people miss this opportunity.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

I’m adopted AND a twin! (oops, that’s two things)

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

Topher DeRosia

How have WordCamps impacted you and your business in the past?

Each one that I’ve attended has grown my pro network substantially. This allows MY company to grow … due to the larger, higher quality of resources.

Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”

… want to grow the size of your business AND remove a lot of the grief that some clients bring to the table (Yeah, you know the ones I’m talking about), then come tap my shoulder…. Or join my group for lunch!

What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?

Nothing. Just bring your mind open to LOTS of new possibilities.

What is your favorite WordPress related resource?

too many

Where can we find you online?

• http://flockmarketing.com
• http://twitter.com/skarritt
• http://facebook.com/skarritt

Angela Samuels is a WordPress and social media trainer for authors and small-business owners. Her passion is teaching to do it yourself small-business owners to update, maintain and market their own website.

Angela Samuels will be presenting “Getting Advanced” on Friday, October 14 at 11:00am in the Pendelton room.

Why do use WordPress?

I use WordPress because it is easier for my clients to update their websites. My customers are usually hands-on and want to be involved in the upkeep of their website. WordPress makes it really simple to create a website.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

I started using WordPress in 2008 when I noticed how user-friendly it was for my clients. I used to create websites from Dreamweaver, and a lot my clients didn’t understand it and wanted more control of their websites. That is when I started just doing WordPress websites.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?

I would tell them that WordCamp is a wonderful place to meet other people who are learning about WordPress and it is a great place to network.

Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.

I attended the Chicago WordCamp and it was amazing. I met a lot of great people that I possibly see at other WordCamps.

Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.

I just recently finished up an Oral Surgeon website that was challenging but a great experience.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

I love the people that I meet. You meet people that are in the web development business or are creating their own websites. It is truly great.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

Get out from behind the computer and join your local chamber or networking group.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

I’m happy, love my life, and I’m focusing on things that give me joy like teaching, traveling and meeting new people.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

Everyone whom I meet at a WordCamp inspires me because they are doing what they love. They wouldn’t be there if they didn’t enjoy it.

Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”

“If you are an author or small business owner looking for training on WordPress or social media marketing, then you should come talk to me at WordCamp”

What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?

Before attending my talk, the person should want to learn more about theme and plugins.

Where can we find you online?

• AngelaSamuels.com
• Facebook.com/angelamsamuels
• Twitter.com/angelamsamuels

Marc is the Operations Manager of ServerPress, LLC, but secretly, people there call him “The Mayor.” It may sound all well and good, but Marc knows that the real reason for it is because whenever something goes wrong, the mayor is the one who gets thrown under the bus first. As his first act as Mayor, Marc passed legislation by issuing an Executive Order removing all busing and other public transportation (as a precautionary measure, of course).

With that out-of-the-way, Marc has been working his way through WordCamps over the past couple of years, because hey. . . who doesn’t like words (we all use them) and a good camping trip? Seemed like a natural match to him. Imagine his dismay when he found out that these were conferences intended to educate people within the WordPress Community. None the less, as with everything Marc does, he decided to make the best of it and says he’s been enjoying this aspect of camping and plans to incorporate many of the things he’s picked up at WordCamps in his regular camping trips.

When asked about what he likes most about WordCamps, he’ll tell you that it’s the Community, although he remains highly suspect of any group or community of people who would have him as a member.

Most people think that Marc has a screw or two loose, but it’s ok. He’s like that uncle that’s not quite crazy enough to call “everyone’s crazy uncle” but not quite sane enough to call “everyone’s cool uncle.” Those people may be right. You can connect with Marc on Twitter @MarcBenzak.

Marc Benzakein will be presenting the “Local Development Workshop” on Friday, October 14 at 8:00am in the Wolverine room.

Why do use WordPress?

Because it’s what works best with our flagship product, DesktopServer. And it happens to rock.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

A long time ago, in a business totally not related to web development, I needed to create a site that had a specific functionality. I discovered the world of plugins, and thus, WordPress (or was it the other way around?). And the rest, as some people might say, is history.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?

Dude! You’ve gotta go! I mean, seriously. If you want to make connections, friends, gain knowledge, or give up a weekend to hang out in a climate controlled building that someone else is paying for, it’s a no brainer!

Tell us about something awesome you’ve experienced at a WordCamp in the past.

This one time, at WordCamp, there was a camp that sponsored the speaker housing. It was cool hanging out in a big house with a bunch of speakers. We formed bonds that weekend that went beyond anything I’ve experience professionally. Most of us are friends to this day and we all agree that it was one of the best WordCamp experiences EVAH!

Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.

DesktopServer 4.0. Sorry. I don’t work much within WordPress these days. I just work to help people work with WordPress more efficiently.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

Hallway Track. Period.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

I have a whole presentation on that. But I think the best piece of advice I can give is to start out focusing on one thing or aspect or specialty until you have it down. Do it well and people will look to you as an authority.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

Pretty much everyone who knows me knows that it’s all about the kids. My awesome wife and I currently foster six children (leaving us with a total of eight) with the goal of adopting them. We truly believe that kids are some of the few victims, and all of them deserve a shot at realizing their potential. Our life goal is to help any child we have contact with realize that potential by giving them the tools, love, support, and stability they need to do that. As rewarding as my professional life is, they pale in comparison to the rewards of helping these kids.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

(In no particular order)

Pippin: For his humility

Topher and Cate: For their dedication to their family

Michelle Schulp: For her determination on days when she just doesn’t feel like it

Gregg Franklin: His loyalty and desire to help is unmatched anywhere

What has been your biggest WordPress related accomplishment to date?

The family I’ve built within the Community and within our company.

How have WordCamps impacted you and your business in the past?

I am pretty sure that if we did not attend WordCamps and support the Community at large, we would not be the success we are.

Fill in the blank for other attendees: “If you ___________ then you should come talk to me at WordCamp.”

are looking to improve the quality of your life

What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?

I really recommend that you download and install DesktopServer from serverpress.com. It’s free and it will be part of what I go over during the workshop.

What is your favorite WordPress related resource?

My friends within the Community

Where can we find you online?

• http://www.twotofive.us (website, mostly about life with the kids)
• @MarcBenzak (twitter)

Steve Grunwell is a Senior Web Engineer and Project Lead at 10up, a World-class web design + development consultancy. Specializing in WordPress and application development he has worked with brands and organizations including TED, Microsoft, Xylem, Elmer’s, and Experience Columbus.

Steve has released several plugins in the WordPress.org repositories, including one from the grounds of The White House during the first annual National Day of Civic Hacking in 2013. When he’s not writing software he enjoys hiking, music, and writing about writing software on his blog.

Steve holds a B.A. in Telecommunications from Bowling Green State University where he graduated Cum Laude with minors in General Business and Recording Technologies.

More information, including portfolio work and his development blog, can be found at https://stevegrunwell.com.

Steve Grunwell will be presenting “Taking the Web Offline” on Saturday, October 15 at 4:00pm in the Assembly Hall.

Why do use WordPress?

I’m a big proponent of open source software, and WordPress as a platform makes publishing easy. I’ve helped a lot of clients be successful by leveraging WordPress, and I love the idea of anyone, anywhere being able to set up a site and start publishing.

When and how did you start using WordPress?

Back in 2010, I was working at a small agency that specialized in building custom content management systems. One client came in and asked if we could build a site on WordPress, and after digging in (and a few missteps), I was hooked.

Give an example of a cool WordPress project you have worked on recently.

Lately, I’ve been working closely with several departments at Microsoft as they’ve leaned more and more on WordPress for making publishing and content distribution even easier for their teams. Now, not only do I get to say “oh yeah, I’m doing work for Microsoft”, but I get to say “I’m helping Microsoft embrace open-source software for their official news outlets”.

What is your favorite part of WordCamps?

WordCamps feel like a homecoming for me; at this point, I’ve attended enough to usually know at least a few people, and I always come away meeting dozens more.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?

There are a lot of WordPress developers out there, and you absolutely get what you pay for. I’ve seen plenty of sites where the developer tried to force his/her idea of a CMS into WordPress, often with disastrous results. Seek out referrals, check references, and don’t be afraid to have someone do a code review on anything that’s written for you; if you’re building your business on it, make sure you have a strong foundation.

Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related.

When I started working for 10up, I decided I needed to up my home coffee game. As a result, I started roasting my own coffee at home, guaranteeing I always have freshly-roasted coffee at a fraction of the cost.

Name someone in the WordPress community that inspires you.

I’m continually impressed by my fellow 10uppers, both current and alumni. People like Helen Hou-Sandí, Eric Mann, Adam Silverstein, and more are helping to shape the direction of WordPress and making sure we can continue to build our businesses on top of it.

What should someone learn before attending your talk at WordCamp Ann Arbor?

It’s not specific to my talk in particular, but learn how to step outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you. The real value of WordCamps is only half-derived from the sessions; it’s the social interaction that makes WordCamps so great.

Where can we find you online?

I blog occasionally on stevegrunwell.com, but mostly hang out on Twitter. I’m also a lurker in *far* too many Slack teams, and publish all of my open-source work on GitHub.