Describe your company in one sentence?
LearnDash is the WordPress learning management system of choice for Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide for creating (and selling) their online courses.

Why did you choose to sponsor WordCamp Ann Arbor?
Besides being based out of Ann Arbor one way that we support the community is by sponsoring WordCamps.

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
wordpress.org/plugins

What kind of people do you like to meet at WordCamp?
Anyone who wants to create or sell an online course!

What do you find inspiring about the WordPress community?
How giving people are of their time and talents.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
No other conference will give you the ROI of a WordCamp – both for your time and the price of the ticket.

Tell us something awesome about your company that is not WordPress related?
We were mentioned in Forbes magazine 🙂

Where can WCA2 attendees follow your company online?
learndash.com
twitter.com/learndashlms
facebook.com/learndash

Describe your company in one sentence?
Boiling Pot Media is an origin for tailored brand, message and web solutions.

Why did you choose to sponsor WordCamp Ann Arbor?
WordPress has given a lot to Boiling Pot Media. Since WordPress is open source, we could begin a relationship with the software and the WordPress community. Since WordPress is intuitive, we could build systems that we, and our clients, can use. Sponsoring WordCamp Ann Arbor appealed to us because it presents an opportunity to help grow the community that has been so helpful to us.

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
This question feels almost impossible to answer! WordPress has so many tools, extensions, and resources available that are all so desirable, and so necessary each for it’s own purpose. It’s like asking a builder to choose one tool from their belt and explain why it’s the best. Here’s how we’ll answer: We rely heavily on, and relish reading from Codex, and WordPress-related discussions on StackOverflow.

What kind of people do you like to meet at WordCamp?
We’re eager to meet and connect with a wide swath of folks who represent the diversity of web developers.

What do you find inspiring about the WordPress community?
The generosity and nonjudgement of the WordPress community inspires us. We’ve rarely, if ever, seen WordPress developers unduly withholding or disparaging others. We appreciate how, in this community, beginners and experts show mutual respect and foster knowledge and best practices among each other in a kind and productive manner.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
We would advise: “It will change your life – phenomenally – for the better. You will have, or will feel like you have superpowers after attending WordCamp. You may emerge with a new surname that reflects your brilliant, honed identity – like ‘Code Shot’, ‘WP Poet’ or simply ‘Maestro’ … ” because, we enjoy very dry humor. Really, though, we’re sure everyone would enjoy WordCamp, and are confident that they will take home knowledge and relationships that will be valuable for many years to come.

Tell us something awesome about your company that is not WordPress related?
Kalamazoo (our city) is an indigenous word (from Native American Algonquian) that means Boiling Pot. It referred to some of the Kalamazoo River rapids. Besides having exciting imagery, we chose Boiling Pot Media for our name to remember that there were people and landscapes that came before us.

Where can WCA2 attendees follow your company online?
Boilingpotmedia.com
Facebook.com/boilingpotmedia
Github.com/JRyven

Describe your company in one sentence?
Managed web hosting with a fully trained support team ready to help you 24 hours day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Why did you choose to sponsor WordCamp Ann Arbor?
The short answer is that we’re always looking for ways to get better. The landscape changes quickly, so we also value this event as a way to maintain our support team’s expertise. Staying knowledgeable about current events and breaking trends in the community also helps us continue to deliver innovative products that make our clients’ lives easier.

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
I have to say I’m biased, but blog.nexcess.nethas provides a wealth of information, not only on WordPress but also on WooCommerce. Second to that, I spend a lot of time at https://winningwp.com. Run by WordPress enthusiast Brin Wilson, it’s pretty much the equivalent of the Library of Congress for WordPress.

What kind of people do you like to meet at WordCamp?
You! We want to meet you: the creators, the bloggers, the designers, and the developers. You are the foundation behind one of the biggest open source communities, and everything you do pushes the Internet into new territory!

What do you find inspiring about the WordPress community?
The community’s hunger to find solutions to every problem, no matter the size or scope. Also, the possibilities that come from simple discussions in the community that tease what’s coming next!

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
This is a place to learn from like-minded people who accomplish great things using tools available to everyone in the community.

Tell us something awesome about your company that is not WordPress related?
In 2001, we were a single rack of server in CEO Chris Wells’s garage, and he was hosting family and a few brave friends. Today, we design and build our own data centers, have a global presence, and host over 40,000 eCommerce sites

Where can WCA2 attendees follow your company online?
Either visit our blog at blog.nexcess .net, or head to our website at www.nexcess.net.

If you’re more of a social media person, we’re also active on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nexcess/) and Twitter (twitter.com/nexcess).

Describe your company in one sentence?
Surelutions offers WordPress web design, consulting, and ongoing management for locally owned small business and nonprofits.

Why did you choose to sponsor WordCamp Ann Arbor?
WordCamp Ann Arbor is great! It’s big enough to bring in WordPress gurus from around the country, but small enough to feel personable and welcoming to newbies. I’m only slightly biased, having lived and worked in the Ann Arbor area for a very (very!) long time :).

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
Tools-wise, I’m a big fan of iThemes suite of plugins – BackupBuddy, iThemes Sync, and iThemes Security. They are the first plugins I add to every new website build. WordPress business-wise, I can’t say enough good things about the training, resources, and members at WP Elevation. WordPress people in general tend to be a good lot, but the folks at WP Elevation take it to a whole ‘nuther level of awesomeness.

What kind of people do you like to meet at WordCamp?
I love to meet people who I can help. It’s nice to give back after learning so much from others at WordCamps over the years.

What do you find inspiring about the WordPress community?
The generosity of knowledge and willingness to help other people — strangers, for the most part! — is pervasive. I’m really proud to be part of such a giving community of people.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
WordCamp is so affordable and such a huge value, that if you use WordPress, it’s crazy NOT to go. Whether you think you know nothing, or think you know everything, you’ll find something to learn, or a new person to meet, or an interesting new technique or tool to try out.

Tell us something awesome about your company that is not WordPress related?
Surelutions was the first business of its kind to win “Small Business Leadership Award” from the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.

Where can WCA2 attendees follow your company online?
surelutions.com
fb.com/surelutions
twitter.com/@surelutions

Describe your company in one sentence?
Know the Code empowers WordPress Developers to grow, innovate, and prosper by teaching the professional web development.

Why did you choose to sponsor WordCamp Ann Arbor?
I want to support WordCamps that are near where I live.

What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
I read and refer to many different resources including Torque, WP Tavern, Post Status, Codex, and the source code.

What kind of people do you like to meet at WordCamp?
I really enjoy meeting the “makers”, those who design, build, and maintain the online experiences.

What do you find inspiring about the WordPress community?
I’m inspired by (1) the community’s generosity and (2) the entry point that makes it easy for anyone of any skill level to contribute.

What would you tell someone to convince them to attend a WordCamp?
Do it. Typically, we work and communicate in a virtual space. A WordCamp is your opportunity to get out and meet others in the community. It’s casual, non-intimidating, and fun. It’s also your opportunity to learn and grow in all aspects of how to use, promote, distribute, design, and develop websites. If you are so inclined, you can share your story, insights, or experiences to help others in the community.

Tell us something awesome about your company that is not WordPress related?
Beyond WordPress, you’ll find me in other web development communities and educational spaces contributing where I can help aspiring and professional developers be more awesome.

Where can WCA2 attendees follow your company online?
Come learn something new at:
Website: knowthecode.io
Twitter: @KnowTheCodePro
Facebook: @KnowTheCodePro