In March 2025, I received an invitation by the organiser of WordCamp Johor Bahru 2025 (WCJB25) to be a speaker. As a first-time speaker at WordCamp Malaysia 2024, I felt truly honoured to be invited to speak for the second time in a row.
I saw that one of the themes for the event was AI. I had begun using an AI tool to help me with my website design process. So it was timely that I share this tool – that’s available for free, with the attendees of WCJB25.
Having attended two previous WordCamps, I told Wan, my husband – the first thing to do upon arriving at the event venue is to take a photo at the event board.
Third Time’s the Charm
WCJB25 is my third time attending WordCamps. My first two were WordCamp Malaysia 2023 and 2024. Johor Bahru is the south-most city of Malaysia just next to the border of Singapore.
It being so close to home made it easier to attend.
I was impressed as soon as we arrived at the venue; 42 Iskandar Puteri. Registration elegantly took up the space of the “information desk” at the building lobby. The use of QR code for registration was implemented by one of the WPJB25 organising team members.
The registration process was so smooth and quick that I was handed my Speaker lanyard together with the goodie bag filled with my correct-sized tee, too!
That was when I noticed the strong brand design for the event. My lanyard design was different from Wan’s attendee lanyard design. The goodie bag was a well-designed tote bag; both sides of the bag were printed with the Johor Bahru colours and WaPu in songkok.
Track 2, First Slot
I love how short and sweet the opening remarks and launching of the event was. The main hall was also where Track 1 speakers would be. I was scheduled to speak during the first slot in Track 2 – a room across the main hall.
In the last WordCamp where I spoke after lunch, I felt the difference in mood. Perhaps I was high with adrenaline, or it was not my first rodeo. I was much more energised and excited to speak early that morning.
Although I also spoke in Track 2 the last time, it was a hall set up with a platform where I spoke from. In WCJB25, Track 2 was in a classroom setting. There were lines of monitors on the tables dividing the room into 2 sections.
The standee banners and podium were first placed in the middle of the room, weirdly tucked in between one section. I was handed a clicker and a wireless microphone – which made me channel my Britney Spears mode. I took the chance to walk to the middle of the room, in between the two sections to speak to the attendees.
The fact that I could not see most of the attendees’ faces as they were behind the monitors, it made me less nervous. The setup worked well for me. My slides were shown on every monitor in the room.
More Women in Attendance
I stayed on in Track 2 and caught all the other speakers in the track. Three other women spoke after me; Georgia Papas, Mayuko Moriyama and Joei Ong . In Track 1, there were two women speakers scheduled, too.
I love the fact that there were more women speakers as well as those who attended. Like I mentioned in the previous post for WordCamp Malaysia 2024, I would love to have a gathering of the Women in WordPress of this region.
Perhaps, this woman can dream for it to happen sooner than expected.
Please do get in touch with me through Instagram if you use WordPress in your life; whether for work or personal. I want to connect with more women who use WordPress.
After Party
The WCJB25 organising team had this whole event very well planned out. The after party was at The Warung Kita, and they had a bus chartered for attendees to hop on over. It was such a beautiful end to the WordCamp. We had dinner, basking in the sunset over Iskandar Puteri.
I get to connect with new faces and reconnect with others I’ve met from previous WordCamps. The after party of a WordCamp is where the network happens. All in all, I am so honoured to have been invited as a speaker, and to witness such a successful inaugural WordCamp for Johor Bahru.
The organising team of WCJB25 really made an impact and impression with their first event. Kudos, team!
