One of the coolest guys I have had the pleasure of hanging out with at a WordCamp and also one of the best plugin developers around is Mr. Sam Hotchkiss, who will be presenting Developing Large Plugins + AMA at WordCamp Ann Arbor this year. He’s a brilliant guy whom I’ve learned a lot from and respect very highly.

If you’ve never yet had an opportunity to see one of Sam’s presentations, I recommend you check out a few of them on WordPress.tv. Here’s his full list of WordCamp talks. And for convenience, here’s just a few that I think are particularly informative and engaging. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

Data First: How APIs are Changing the Internet

WordCamp San Francisco 2014

Free Plugins

WordCamp Maui 2015

WordPress as an API: The Power of Semantic Data

WordCamp Maine 2014

P.S. If you get a minute to chat with Sam, he really loves talking baseball.

This year we are extremely privileged to have the one and only Michelle Schulp be among our list of speakers for WordCamp Ann Arbor. Michelle is an extremely talented individual whom I’ve met on numerous occasions and have very high respect for.

If you’re not as familiar with who Michelle is, here’s a few video interviews that will give you a better look so you can be just as excited as we are that she’s coming here:

In the hallway at WordCamp Orange County

On the WP Round Table show back in 2014

Outside at WordCamp Orlando 2014

Interview with Torque Magazine about designing collaboratively

Chatting outside at WordCamp San Francisco 2014

Riding an escalator at WordCamp US 2015

 This year, we’re absolutely thrilled to announce that our Keynote Speaker for WordCamp Ann Arbor will be WordPress and entrepreneurial author, iThemes founder, and all around inspirational guy, Cory Miller!

If you use plugins like BackUpBuddy, iThemes Security or Exchange, then you already know just how awesome Cory and his team at iThemes are. Many entrepreneurs, including some more notable members of the WordPress community such as Rebecca Gill of Web Savvy Marketing and Chris Lema, have come to rely on iThemes products and services for building their own businesses. And aside from all the great things Cory has done in the WordPress space, he also continuously gives back to both his real life and online communities.

Cory Miller has given numerous WordCamp talks in the past, and often speaks extensively about entrepreneurship, personal struggle, and inspiring others. We’ll be looking forward to what he has to share with us this year, and we’re certain that you’ll be energized, enlightened, and inspired by his message.