WordCamp Kansas City Sessions & Presentations

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Welcome to WordCamp KC 2019!

Join lead organizer, Karissa Skirmont, at 8:45am on Friday, June 28th in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101) to get the run-down of everything to expect at WordCamp Kansas City 2019.

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 9am – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

The need for flexibility, durability and ease of use is shared among Fortune 500 companies and your local news site – and WordPress is at the heart of both discussions. In this talk, Ben will share some learnings from the enterprise WordPress community, then turn to trends in the local news industry, highlighting shared needs and promising initiatives in the WordPress community and in the Kansas City area.

Ben Bradley

Ben Bradley is Director of Business Development for WordPress VIP, the leading provider of enterprise WordPress. Prior to joining Automattic, Ben was a Senior Program Officer in Entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he helped build learning products for entrepreneurs. His previous professional experience includes work at the PBS NewsHour, the Pew Charitable Trusts and The Atlantic. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Connect with Ben

• LinkedIn: /in/bendbradley

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 4pm – The Cube (RC 270)

Managing multiple WordPress web sites can be time consuming and frustrating. Dave will show you some tools to make that job easier so that you can actually get some sleep or spend time with your family.

Dave Navarro

I am a paid WordPress Geek. I work for a large public library as a WordPress developer where I write custom plugins and child themes. I am a social media expert. I am a photographer and multimedia geek. I have the most amazing fiance in the world that I do not deserve. I am a father of three amazing children and the grandfather of three even more amazing young girls.

Connect with Dave

• Website: navarrojr.com
• Twitter: @dnavarrojr
• Facebook: @techgurudave

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 3pm – The Cube (RC 270)

I will discuss how to use Cloudflare on any web site, but will have information directly relevant to WordPress sites. Plugin needed for WordPress DNS Service SSL (Crypto) CDN/Caching/Reverse Proxy Firewall Analytics Apps API Page Rules

→ Get Mark’s Slides

Mark Short

Owner, Transparent Solutions, LLC. We provide custom Web application development (PHP, MySQL, .Net,), WordPress, custom web site hosting. The business was started in 1997. Prior to that 15 years in corporate IT. I like challenges. I enjoy learning about new businesses and ideas and helping people understand how technology works and can help them.

Connect with Mark

• Website: transparentsolutions.com
• Twitter: @mrkshrt
• LinkedIn: /in/markjshort

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 2pm – The Cube (RC 270)

Everything you NEED after the 1-click WordPress Install After you install… some tips and tricks for getting the best of out of WordPress. Good for beginners and seasoned users alike. We’ll cover a checklist of tweaks, things to add and remove, including performance and security updates for every new installation. Using a Staging Site Safely Test Design Changes & WordPress Updates How to use a Staging plugin to test your site changes and WordPress / plugin updates safely before going public. Good for beginners and seasoned users alike.

→ Get Peter’s Slides

Peter Inzerillo

Peter directs the Support Team and WordPress Training for Thrive Agency. He enjoys teaching, consulting, photography, and good BBQ. When he’s not overseeing web support for over 200 clients, he likes to help friends and non-profits make their websites better. Video conferences often include his cat or dog napping in the background.

Connect with Peter

• Website: thriveagency.com
• Twitter: @inzerillo87
• LinkedIn: /in/peter-inzerillo
• Facebook: @peter.inzerillo
• Instagram: @inzerillo

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 1pm – The Cube (RC 270)

A technical workshop in the nuts and bolts of setting up a Multisite installation of WordPress. Multisite makes it possible to manage multiple and distinct websites from a single installation of WordPress. We’ll walk through the basic steps of getting started with a Multisite installation and discuss technical considerations when setting up a WordPress Multisite environment.

Brent Leavitt

In late 2011, Brent’s wife asked him to build her a website. Two hours later (thanks to WordPress), they launched the first iteration of TrainingDoulas.com. A short time later, Brent stopped freelancing and switched to a full-time business manager. An Arizona native, Brent spends most of his free time raising a large family, supporting a small church congregation, and running a business.

Connect with Brent

• Website: tech.trainingdoulas.com
• Twitter: @BrentALeavitt
• LinkedIn: /in/nbchildbirthserv
• Facebook: @NewBeginningsDoulaTraining
• Instagram: @NewBeginningD

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 11am – The Cube (RC 270)

Are you lax in securing your WordPress website? Don’t have a “set it and forget it” mentality when it comes to protecting your website, availability, data and integrity.

• Why secure your website?
• Where are the weaknesses?
• How to secure your website?
• WordPress security plugins?

→ Get Jim’s Slides

Jim Grant

Jim is an accomplished expert sales professional turned full-time entrepreneur with business endeavors in online retail, social media consulting, marketing and web development. With his 30+ years of experience in business and technology, he helps his clients navigate the waters of digital media to reach their target market on the internet and drive increased customer revenue and develop new customers. He is the owner of Simply Creative Media LLC where he helps small businesses Get Found, Get Social and Get Beautiful on the Web. SCM takes clients unique value proposition and leverages the latest tools and techniques to build, grow and measure their online efforts.

Connect with Jim

• Website: simplycreativemedia.com
• Twitter: @Jim_Grant
• LinkedIn: /in/jimgrant/

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 10am – The Cube (RC 270)

New to WordPress? Then this session is for you! Get tips on how to build your first self-hosted WordPress site.

Justice Anderson

Justice is a former college professor who was tasked with selecting and teaching a content management system which brought him to WordPress. Justice has been working with WordPress on and off since 2009. After a brief time away Justice is reigniting his love affair with WordPress and plans to launch several new websites this summer and fall – stay tuned! Outside of technology Justice enjoys being the number one fan at his kids sporting events and learning about nutrition and fitness.

Connect with Justice

• Website: blackbeardinteractive.com
• Twitter: @JusticeEffect
• LinkedIn: /in/tjusticeanderson/
• Instagram: theJusticeEffect

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Saturday, June 29th, 9am – The Cube (RC 270)

What is the difference? WordPress App vs WordPress.com Vs WordPress We will Build a WordPress.com Website Come Build your First or Second WordPress.com Website Learn about the Dashboard, Pages, Post, and Menus If time permits we will talk about Themes

→ Get Mary’s Slides

Mary White

A little bit about me, I have been working with computers and software for the last 25 years. If I am not working with a computer, I am teaching a computer class, or I am taking an Online Class, or maybe just playing games on my computer. Obvious I enjoy the world of computers. I am a huge advocate of our WordPress KC community and I am always excited to meet new people at WordCamp. Since 2008 I have put my knowledge of computers to work with my degree in Graphic Design. I have been designing, developing websites (WordPress), and print materials (logos, business card and graphics). Then I started teaching in 2014 at Johnson County Community College Continuing Education and now the Credit Side also. I have also worked with many private students helping them with their new or exist websites. Hope to see you at WordCamp, but you can find me teaching at JCCC CE, or at the Bi-weekly Blogging meetup for WordPress KC.

Connect with Mary

• Website: mwfordesigns.com
• LinkedIn: /company/2774163
• Twitter: @mw4designs
• Facebook: @mw4designs
• Instagram: mwfor.designs

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 4pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Do you have an idea for the next great plugin? Have you already built a plugin but are having trouble keeping up with your own code? Do you work with a larger team and need a way to help keep your code organized for multiple contributors? Are you just tired of dumping code snippets into your theme’s functions.php file? If you find yourself in any of these groups, the WordPress Plugin Boilerplate may be just the solution you have been looking for. In this session, we’ll talk about what the WordPress Plugin Boilerplate is, what it does for you, how it is structured, and how you can use it to get a massive head start on your next plugin project. By the time we are done you’ll have a great new tool in your tool belt that will speed up your development time and make your plugins more maintainable and flexible.

Christopher Boyle

Chris is the Engineering Team Lead at Amply Media in Kansas City, MO and an AWS Certified Solutions Architect. He has designed everything from lightweight mobile-first landing pages to complex cloud-hosted site infrastructures. He has worked with WordPress for over 10 years and developed the internal WordPress plugins that power Amply Media’s network of sites, reaching over 52 million monthly active users.

Connect with Christopher

• Website: amplymedia.com
• LinkedIn: /in/ckboyle

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 3pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Composer is a tool that has been instrumental in driving a renewed enthusiasm in PHP development over the past decade. Through the use of Composer, library development, framework development, and application development have improved within the PHP ecosystem. Now that WordPress requires a minimum of PHP 5.6 to run, we can take advantage of using Composer in WordPress applications! We’ll talk about some very useful Composer commands for building, updating, and maintaining the health of your Composer-based PHP application and we’ll look at using Composer for building a WordPress application.

Related content from Eric

• Composer yourself: a reintroduction to composer

Eric Poe

Eric Poe is a lifelong learner, half-knit/half-wit. He is a co-organizer of the KC PHP User Group and serves as the Curriculum Director for CoderDojoKC, which teaches kids how to program. Eric enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and watching kung-fu movies.

Connect with Eric

• Website: ericpoe.com
• Twitter: @eric_poe
• LinkedIn: /in/ericpoe

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 2pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

If you have done any custom theme development, you’re likely familiar with Advanced Custom Fields. If you are not, you are deeply missing out. This talk is going to be an introduction to ACF’s Gutenberg block-building capabilities, which are truly magical.

This session is best suited for developers who have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS and PHP. 

→ Get Kristin’s Slides

Kristin Falkner

Kristin Falkner is a freelance WordPress developer specializing in completely custom themes. She’s worked on WordPress projects for major brands like NBC Universal, Urban Decay, TOMS, Elizabeth Taylor Foundation and more.

Connect with Kristin

• Website: kristinfalkner.com
• Twitter: @KristinCodesWP

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 1pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

I recently took over a website for a client. It was a simple Ecommerce site with about 2,000 visitors a month. Only one problem though: It had 122 plugins. Features as little as adding pictures of payment methods to the footer were powered by a plugin! This was incredibly bad for the site for many reasons, the main one being 63 of them needed an update and these updates would crash the site half the time. There are some very good plugin developers out there who build very useful additions to WordPress sites that make your website better. They maintain their code and send out regular updates to account for a constantly changing WordPress core. Then there are those who don’t maintain their code. They build a plugin because it sounds cool, then get bored or busy and stop updating it and here you are having built an entire system around this piece of software that flat out doesn’t work anymore. In my experience, a lot of the customizations you want to do can be done with some simple additions to the code. In this session I’m going to teach you how to make functions.php your best friend.

Ryan Wells

My name is Ryan Wells and I am a freelance full stack web developer and copywriter in Overland Park. I have been building in WordPress since 2015 when I built my first site to document my progress when learning a new language. I then started learning more about PHP, JavaScript,CSS and other Dev tools and fell in love. I also fell in love with copywriting and specifically with how it relates to email marketing and content development on a website. What I do for the majority of my clients is teach them how to build their site in a way so it is an asset for them, not just a placeholder.

Connect with Ryan

• Website: cconations.com
• LinkedIn: /in/wellsryanl

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 10am – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Are you looking for ways to streamline the creation of new themes and plugins? I’ll show you how to connect any theme to a task runner to automate color and grid scaffolding, process SASS into CSS, minify JavaScript, and use sprites and SVG for better image performance. Learn how to configure your own development stack and use automation to build, test, and deploy WordPress sites easily.

Brianna Privett

A passion for the web as a medium for art is the foundation for my twenty-year long career in web development and UX design. I’m the founder of TechnoSiren, and I help web users become web creators.

Connect with Brianna

• Website: technosiren.com
• Facebook: @technosiren
• Twitter: @techno_siren
• LinkedIn: /in/briannaorg
• Instagram: @technosiren

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Saturday, June 29th, 9am – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Do you feel overwhelmed as you manage your WordPress website? Maybe you are managing multiple sites, and you need an easy solution to get it all done. Then you don’t want to miss this session. During this session, you will learn about the powerful tools I use to stay on top of managing multiple websites. You will learn about tools, plugins, and so much more.

→ Get Kim’s Slides

Related articles by Kim

• From zero to hero with WordPress training for entrepreneurs
• How to better assess your website visitors

Kim Beasley

Kim Beasley is a FANatic about WordPress along with being the Founder of Agape3 Business Service (A3BS). The focus of A3BS is to develop WordPress websites and integrate social media into websites. Kim and her team specialize in developing engaging websites that help your business grow your visibility online. She has been developing and customizing WordPress business websites since 2004. With an MBA in eBusiness, Kim has created a company that assists corporations to build and customize their WordPress website with clients like Steelcase, RedHat, and many more. She and her team also administer WordPress support desk for corporations and entrepreneurs. New to A3BS is the launch of GrowVisibility which is an all-in-one social media management tool.

Connect with Kim

• Website: agape3.com
• Facebook: @kimbeasleyconsulting
• Twitter: @kimbeasley
• LinkedIn: /in/kbeasley
• Instagram: @kimbeasley

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 4pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

The State of the Union on what selling on Amazon looks like for brands in 2019 and beyond.

→ Get Andrew’s Slides

Related articles by Andrew

• How To Master Amazon: “Think holistically; The Amazon marketplace is based off an algorithm so you should score as high as possible in every area on Amazon”

Andrew Morgans

Andrew is a thought leader in the Amazon Branding space. He is a resident mentor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and guest lecturer at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. Raised by missionaries in Congo Africa, among other countries Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit was nourished from a young age. Andrew found early success as an e-commerce manager for two different companies. In the first two years in E-Commerce he launched and or grew those brands by over 1 Million in sales each. Building on that experience, Morgans launched both the Landlocked Co Apparel brand, and Marknology™, an Amazon Brand Accelerator. Marknology™ has worked with over 220 brands on Amazon and sales of over $150+ million. Featured on a weekly podcast, Startup Hustle, Andrew is a sought-after speaker on e-commerce, branding and Amazon at conferences and events all over the United States. Their Marknology YouTube channel tells their story.

Connect with Andrew

• Website: marknology.com
• Facebook: @andrew.morgans
• LinkedIn: /in/amorgans
• Instagram: @andrewmorgans

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 3pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Grow your list like a boss. In this session, veteran freelance web designer, Mat Casner, will teach you the basics of funnels and learn the secrets of building a high converting landing page for your business (or your clients). Using WordPress (and the DIVI page builder), Mat will break down the power of marketing funnels and show you, step by step, how to build high-converting landing pages in WordPress and grow your marketing list. He will also show you how to connect your landing page directly to your email marketing provider, allowing you start attracting more clients and giving you a powerful new, valuable skill to help yourself and your customers.

→ Get Mat’s Slides

Mat Casner

Mat Casner loves being a small business owner and freelance entrepreneur. He is a multi-disciplined creative and communication professional with over 20 years experience in web development (including WordPress), graphic design, video production and marketing. He also coaches and mentors other creatives and freelancers. Mat is the president of Redlogic Communications, Inc., his freelance digital design agency. He serves clients, ranging from large corporations to small businesses and non-profits organizations. He has worked with brands such as Sprint, Helzberg Diamonds, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Dimensional Innovations and Junior Achievement. He helps these businesses and organizations achieve their business goals by helping them design, develop and execute effective branding, web and social strategies, print collateral, advertising and marketing communications. Mat is based in Mound City, KS (pop. 700), just south of the Kansas City metro, where he is currently the mayor and an active community volunteer. He lives there with his wife, Regina and four teenage children.

Connect with Mat

• Website: freelanceonfire.com
• Twitter: @matcasner
• Facebook: @freelanceonfire
• LinkedIn: /in/matcasner
• Instagram: @freelanceonfire

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 2pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Travis Pflanz will walk attendees through creating and implementing simple  search engine optimization-centered content creations strategies for small business websites. When starting out creating content for small business websites, business owners are often easily over-whelmed teaching themselves the art of content creation – and Facebook – and Instagram – and email marketing – and SEO – and video creation – stringing together simple words with a keyboard can quickly become the most daunting and tiresome responsibility of owning a small business. Stop over-thinking content creation and let Travis Pflanz show you an easier way!

→ Get Travis’s Slides

Related SEO Articles from Travis Pflanz

• The Best WordPress Plugins for SEO

Travis Pflanz

Travis Pflanz is the founder of Search Centered Digital Marketing. Search Centered puts SEO at the center of every type of marketing campaign they create manage and implement for clients of all sizes – from WordPress SEO services to SEO managed WordPress hosting 

Travis has been an organizer of the WordPress KC Meetup since 2013 and an organizer of WordCamp KC since 2014.

When not SEOifying businesses online or creating WordPress websites, Travis can be found hiking through the woods while leading the pack at Kansas City Dog Club, training new Dog Socializer volunteers at Wayside Waifs, or helping run the pet food pantry at Spay & Neuter KC and serving as a member of their Advisory Council.

Connect with Travis

• Website: searchcentered.com
• Twitter: @searchcentered
• Facebook: @searchcentered
• LinkedIn: /in/travispflanz
• Instagram: @travispflanz

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 1pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Podcast audience growth: It’s more than doubled over the past five years and 40% Gen Z listenership has our attention. They can extend influence beyond a brand’s typical reach, make for a consumer-friendly medium, and offer a low-cost investment. Still, only 15% of brands use podcasting. Using several cases studies, Brent Bowen will demonstrate why podcasting should be part of any content marketing strategy and how WordPress is helping showcase audio.

→ Get Brent’s Slides

Related Content from Brent

• How to Rock a Podcast in your Content Marketing Strategy
• Podcast as Part of Your Content Marketing Strategy

Brent Bowen

Brent Bowen is Founder and Chief Storyteller of Sparkcade Marketing, a Kansas City-based marketing firm. With 25 years of experience, from branding to digital, Brent’s work has appeared in NPR, Sports Illustrated and Wall Street Journal. He’s a veteran podcast host and producer, having launched and run both media and company-branded shows, and a devout WordPress user.

Connect with Brent

• Website: sparkcade.com
• Twitter: @SplitLegend
• LinkedIn: /in/brentbowenwrites
• Instagram: @sparkcade

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 11am – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

With only around 700,000 active podcasts compared to over 500 million YouTube channels, podcasting is still in its beginning stages, which makes for great opportunities to utilize it for your business or hobby and share your knowledge and passions with the world. Even more exciting, over 70% of the US population is familiar with podcasts and 32% are active monthly listeners. Better yet, podcast episodes average between 80-90% listening rates! With podcasts being so easy to listen to while driving in the car, exercising, working or just about anytime and anywhere, you can see why it’s such a powerful platform to build and connect with an audience. During this session, I will break down my experience with starting my podcast and how I’ve integrated it with my WordPress website to attract new visitors and gain business. We’ll cover strategies for marketing your podcast on your WordPress website, plugins to use and the “must have checklist” to make your website and podcast work seamlessly together to attain your podcasting and growth goals. We’ll also have some time for Q&A where I’ll answer your questions about podcasting in general or any specifics relating to podcasting and WordPress.

→ Get Andrew’s Slides

Andrew Heim

As a business advisor for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and sales professionals, my sole mission is to help make business simpler, easier to mange and more profitable. Prior to business advising, I founded a successful IT consulting firm that was focused on managed IT services as well as WordPress web design. Starting out by knocking on businesses doors to offer help with their IT needs, I quickly grew to hundreds of customers. In early 2018, I launched “The Business Life” podcast where I explore the lifestyles, routines and strategies of successful business professionals. Podcasting has not only given me another outlet to share my passion for business, but has also allowed me to gain access into the lives of some of the best professionals across a wide variety of industries. You can find “The Business Life” podcast on all your devices, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Outside of business, I like to be active; in other words, I have a hard time sitting still. I enjoy being outdoors, golfing, tennis, hunting, camping or just enjoying nature. I can easily get lost in yard work or tinkering with projects around the house as well. If I am stuck inside, I love to cook and watch sports, especially my alma mater, Kansas State. I’m also a member of the Overland Park South Rotary Club and a Paul Harris fellow award winner.

Connect with Andrew

• Website: andrewheim.biz
• Twitter: @andrewheimbiz
• Facebook: @andrewheimbiz
• Instagram: @andrewheimbiz

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 10am – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

With over 2.77 billion people using social media platforms they have quickly become an essential part of any website traffic marketing strategy. Learn some of the best ways to convert your communities on Instagram and LinkedIn from just followers to actual web traffic and leads with Aaron Fulk

Aaron Fulk

Aaron Fulk started her marketing agency, Lillian James Creative, in her garage in 2016 after working more than a decade in agencies. She paired that experience with her expertise in the legal field to create a brand new business model then tapped her personal and professional network to grow the company and team out of her garage and through three different offices (so far). With more than 16,000 LinkedIn followers, she excels at understanding and strategically leveraging online channels to grow her network, her voice, her influence and her company.

Connect with Aaron

• Website: lillianjamescreative.com
• LinkedIn: /in/aaronfulk
• Facebook: @lillianjamescreative
• Instagram: @lillianjamescreative

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Saturday, June 29th, 9am – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Learn how to get thousands of visitors a day to your WordPress website, using Pinterest. You don’t need a lot of followers to get traffic from Pinterest and the best part is, it’s free. Learn how to set up a Pinterest business account, how to create Pinterest content for your websites, and how treating Pinterest as a search engine can benefit your business.

→ Get Katie’s Slides

Katie Simecka

Katie graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Math and Secondary Education from Baker University. She followed that up with a Masters degree in Educational technology. After 7 years of teaching she left to stay at home with her daughter and began her journey as an entrepreneur. Katie taught herself how to design websites and earn money blogging. In addition to blogging Katie is the founder of Wonderland Launch where she helps others launch and grow their online business. When she is not working you can find Katie spending time with her family.

Connect with Katie

• Website: wonderlandlaunch.com
• Facebook: @wonderlandlaunch
• Instagram: @wonderlandlaunch
• Pinterest: pinterest.com/katieskottagedotcom

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 4pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

We will discuss correct implementation of Google Analytics including event tracking, goal configuration and filtering. We will then review proper analysis of campaign performance, looking at different attribution models. We will also discuss where Google default reports can be misleading. And last we will review some advanced tools to help get the most out of Google Analytics.

→ Get Craig’s Slides

Craig Paddock

Craig Paddock is an authority in the SEO field with multiple Fortune 100 clients ranging from hotel chains to software developers. Since 1998 Craig has consistently delivered top returns for clients in an ever-changing online field. His research-driven approach focuses on dollars for clients, as opposed to just rankings. Craig contributes search articles to the ClickZ network and has presented at national SEO conferences. Craig received his bachelors degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. He blames his ROI obsession on his previous experience in the direct response industry.

Connect with Craig

• Website: plazadigital.com
• LinkedIn: /in/craig-paddock-9857511

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 3pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Many of us are obsessed with providing a great experience for our website users. Ranging from intended website journey, comprehension of content coupled with a great look and feel, we have to keep the same mindset with our non-human crawling bots which are visiting from Google and Bing. Schema mark-up is your key to give crawling bots a clear categorization of your content. Essentially, you are spoon-feeding your web content to the search engines in their most preferred manner. To show appreciation, your search results, and in some cases, your rankings will benefit. Learn today’s top markup offerings, how to deploy and move your search marketing prowess to the next level.

→ Get Josh’s Slides

Related Articles from Josh

• Why Big Brands Shouldn’t Ignore SEO

Josh McCoy

Josh McCoy is dedicated to digital marketing. For him, it all starts with a passion for understanding how successful online campaigns come to life. From concept to deployment, Josh knows how to pair a marketing message with the right digital medium. After years of ingraining himself into “all things digital,” Josh’s expertise allows him to harness SEO, paid search, social media and online media placement to create an encapsulating approach to marketing ideation – an important skill as the online landscape continues to evolve. He’s got cred: Josh manages the Kansas City Search Engine Marketing Association, is the leader of the SEMPO Cities KC Search Marketing Conference, has written for Search Engine Watch, and contributes to Search Engine Journal. He has also been a speaker on the national front at Search Engine Strategies, ClickZ Live, Digital Summit, Integrated Marketing Summit, the SEMPO Forum and local associations such as the Kansas City Data-Driven Marketing Association. Within Trozzolo, Josh guides the digital marketing team in strategic campaign direction, deployment and through advanced tracking and analytical data collection. With his guidance, Trozzolo digital advertising is boasting triple-digit percentage return on ad spend for their clients as well providing detailed reporting to assist in high-performing campaign ideation for the future!

Connect with Josh

• Website: trozzolo.com
• LinkedIn: /in/kansascitymarketing
• Twitter: @joshuacmccoy
• Facebook: @kansascitymarketing
• Instagram: @joshmccoy

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 2pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Google really cares about user experience, and one of the most important parts of a user’s experience is how quickly your site loads. Google has found that more than 53% of mobile users will leave a site that doesn’t load in under three seconds. Understanding how your site loads on all devices is very important, and testing your site on a desktop with fast internet does not give you any idea of how your site performs on a mobile device on 3G. In this session I will discuss tools to simulate and measure your site’s speed for different devices and connection speeds, and I’ll show how to decipher reports from testing tools so you can find what you can improve. I’ll also discuss caching plugins, htaccess, and something called prefetching and preconnects. Not only will we discuss what you can do, but we’ll also look some things that reports suggest doing which aren’t always helpful and can cause more frustration than they’re worth. Making your site really fast is a bit of an art and a bit of a science. I’ll help you find the balance between the two so you can make your site fast without pulling out all your hair. A faster site might just be the edge you need to outrank your competition in Google.

→ Get Michael’s Slides

Related Articles from Michael

• Using Prefetching and Preconnects to Increase Speed
• How many htaccess Redirects are too Many?
• Using Subdomains to Speed Up Your Site

Michael Black

I began my career as a professional SEO in 1997. I owned a small business that pulled network wire and setup local networks for small businesses, like doctors’ offices. One client said to me “What’s this internet thing and how do I get my business on it?” and I answered “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” I learned how to make a rockin’ 90s website complete with waving flag gifs and animated dancing animals. Needless to say, the client was very pleased. Then she asked “Great – now how do I get people to come to this so I can make money off of it?” I said “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.” And now 22 years later, I’m still figuring it out. I’ve been very lucky to work with about 500 companies on around 5,000 websites. I’ve worked with Walmart, Thrifty Car Rental, Dollar Car Rental, Bayer and Blu-Ray, just to name a few. I’ve marketed everything from diamonds to doorknobs, and loved every minute! I’ve been a featured speaker at WordCamp KC, many times at Pubcon, Hubspot Meetups, KC’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, KCSEM, SEMPO Cities, Middle of the Map Fest, and others. I love SEO and SEM, and work hard to demystify it because it’s not a black box. SEO takes skill, dedication, experience, and patience, but it’s not magic.

Connect with Michael

• Website: SEOMike.com
• LinkedIn: /in/seomike
• Twitter: @SEOMike
• Facebook: @SEOMike.Consulting

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 1pm – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Google Ads can do so much more than just drive traffic to your sales funnel! Learn why Google Ads is the most cost effective marketing research tool for small websites. Find out how you can use Google Ads to quickly test new ideas and ask your customers what they value most.

Laura McGarry

Laura McGarry is a digital marketing specialist at Amply Media in Kansas City, MO. She is certified in Google Ads and uses it to grow massive audiences of highly engaged users for Amply Media’s entertainment websites.

Connect with Laura

• Website: amplymedia.com
• LinkedIn: /in/laurabethmcgarry

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 11am – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Readers rely on search engines and the searchable aspects of social platforms to serve them quality content and answer their questions. WordPress sites can earn incremental traffic by aligning content to the interests and phrasing that searchers use. Learn how to mine the top search engines, like Google and YouTube, for content marketing insights. You’ll also learn how to look for search insights in nontraditional search platforms, like Pinterest and Instagram search, to help inspire your content planning.

Related Articles from Alyssa

• The Future of Visual Search and How Retailers Prepare For It

Alyssa Murfey

Alyssa is a Supervisor on the Discoverability Team at VMLY&R, working with one foot in social media and the other in organic search to develop strategies that work the hardest for clients. These strategies focus on optimizing content and properties to hep brands be discoverable across social and search engine platforms. She works at the forefront of helping clients strategize their approach to Google search, Pinterest search, Instagram search, Facebook search and GIPHY search, as well as, visual search and voice search. Most recently, she is working with Wendy’s, Miami Tourism and Baileys. Her past clients include Tennessee Tourism, Tropicana, Propel and EXPRESS Clothing. Last year, Alyssa spoke at Digital Summit KC and Dallas and her piece The Future of Visual Search and How Retailers Prepare For It was published in AW360.

Connect with Alyssa

• Website: alysmurfey.wordpress.com
• LinkedIn: /in/alyssa-murfey-65012a35
• Twitter: @alysmurfey
• Facebook: @alysmurfey
• Instagram: @alysmurfey

Presented in Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217).

Friday, June 28th, 10am – Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Search engine optimization has become an important requirement of websites. It is no longer optional. Along with all of the factors that make up a good website, thinking about SEO or “organic search” is a given for a new site and is important within most digital marketing plans. We’re way beyond the era of “if you build it, they will come,” in terms of website thinking. At the same time, I know that a lot of website owners ranging from startups to small companies to nonprofits and even large brands are struggling with self-implementing SEO or are already stretched in website budgets that don’t leave much left over to put into SEO. Because of the competing noise and focuses, I want to give you a single checklist to use as a website owner to work through the important aspects of SEO that you can address now and to build on going forward.

→ Get Corey’s Slides

Related Articles from Corey

• 8 Ways You’re Wasting Money on SEO Without Knowing It
• 6 Actions You Must Take After an SEO Audit
• SEO Maintenance Checklist: Crucial Daily, Monthly, Quarterly & Yearly Tasks

Corey Morris

Corey serves as the Vice President of Marketing for Voltage-a full-service digital marketing agency based in Kansas City, MO. He has spent 14 years working in strategic and leadership roles focused on growing both national and local client brands with award winning, ROI generating digital strategies. He was recently awarded the 2019 marketer of the year by KCDMA. In addition to his role at Voltage, he serves on the board of SEMPO as the VP of Cities and previously led the local SEMPO Cities initiative in Kansas City upon founding the KC Search Marketing Conference. His role in establishing the conference was recognized by being presented the SEMPO Skyscraper Award. He is currently a VIP contributor to Search Engine Journal, speaks locally and through North America on SEO and digital marketing topics including at SMX and SEMPO events, and formerly served as co-host of a monthly tech radio show. He has a passion for learning and sharing knowledge in the digital marketing industry and seeing people connect and make meaningful relationships.

Connect with Corey

• Website: voltagekc.com
• LinkedIn: /in/coreymorris
• Twitter: @coreydmorris

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 4pm – The Cube (RC 270)

Explaining the challenges that front-end developers face. I will address using plugins to help with problems, quick fixes to common mistakes, and even ways to use WordPress framework to add cool features.

Joseph Manning

Born and raised in Kansas City, Joseph Manning is an accomplished web developer. Currently working as a freelance web designer/developer, Joseph has also dedicated several years of website development in both academic and corporate environments. Joseph is a front-end developer who specializes in WordPress and using plugins to help complete each project to the clients specification. Besides web design Joseph is also an Irish dance teacher and judge. This allows him the opportunity to travel the world.

Connect with Joseph

• Website: josephmanning.com
• LinkedIn: /in/joseph-manning-1686183
• Facebook: @josephmanningdesigns
• Twitter: @nubsandstubs
• Instagram: @nubsandstubs
• Dribble: dribbble.com/nubsandstubs

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 3pm – The Cube (RC 270)

Our agency works with 74 artist/advocates across 3 states. We use WordPress visual form builder to monitor client outcomes in our peer support program. Learn our hack to get close to HIPAA compliant using visual form builder, and our client outcome measurement systems. We work in behavioral health and this is one of the few recovery-oriented outcome measurement systems in use. Learn how to support end-user satisfaction with a third party payer system. What we do applies to many other business types, and come join in our discussion of overall outcome measurement, WordPress plug-in integration, and overall website development for social change.

Corinna West

Poetry for Personal Power’s program director and founder, Corinna West, is an Olympic athlete with lived experience of mental illness recovery. She has many qualifications and experience for this project. She has a Masters degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. She was a catalyst for the Creating Community Solutions national mental health dialogue project funded by the Greater Kansas City Healthcare Foundation. She was a Cohort VIII fellow of the Kansas Health foundation which brought her into connection with many tobacco treatment experts. Corinna is a thought-leader in the international Consumer, Survivor, Ex-Patient (CSX) movement. She was recipient of the 2013 Judi Chamberlin award for advocate of the year of the Recovery movement or mental health civil rights movement. Corinna is a connector; a person who naturally builds coalitions, partnerships and collaborations, subsequently, Poetry for Personal Power is a highly connected, community-engaged organization.

Connect with Corinna

• Website: poetryforpersonalpower.com
• LinkedIn: /in/corinna-west-52716122
• Facebook: @corinnawest816
• Twitter: @CorinnaWest

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 2pm

Developers are expensive…talented developers even more so. Code-free development solutions give you a way to bypass that cost, increase overall agility and reduce your risk to create robust and scaleable technology solutions. In this session, built before you’re very eyes, you’ll watch how Integromat can perform some very powerful actions after your users hit “Submit” on your WordPress form. More powerful than Zapier, you’ll see how Integromat used your form data to save you time and energy…and even generate passive income.

Andy O’Neil

Andy O’Neil is a WordPress developer and code free automation and systems developer. Andy is invigorated when building new systems and processes with technology. When Andy’s not wandering the trails on his recumbent trike, he can be found spending time with his wife and 4 children.

Connect with Andy

• Website: codefreeacademy.com
• LinkedIn: /in/andyoneil

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 1pm – The Cube (RC 270)

We will briefly walk through the plugin installation process and the dashboard areas where you install, locate and configure the plugins you have installed. We’ll walk through my methodology for locating and evaluating available WordPress plugin options. Last we’ll spend most of the session discussing a list of useful and reliable plugins for enhancing your basic WordPress installation.

Breht Burri

Breht is the founder of TooBaRoo Software, InfoDeli, Playlists.com & the Domain Licensing Corporation. Breht has 25 years experience as a lawyer, entrepreneur and consultant in the areas of software development, Internet law, Internet marketing, web development, database publishing, database development & domain name investing.

Connect with Breht

• Website: toobaroo.com
• Twitter: @breht
• LinkedIn: /in/brehtburri

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 11am – The Cube (RC 270)

WordPress is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs, bloggers, students, etc. Knowing the resources and integrations that are available to help you make the most of your WordPress website is crucial. Join Erin Albright, entrepreneur, graphic/web designer, and author, as she shares her tips for beginning WordPress users.

Erin Albright

Erin Albright Author | Graphic & Web Designer | Business Owner Kansas City native Erin Albright is driven by a need to create, whether that’s a killer graphic or website, her own business, or a children’s book. She’s the owner and founder of Albright Creative, LLC, where she helps businesses put their best visual foot forward with graphic and web design services. Erin is also the author of “Sassie’s New Home,” a whimsical, comforting picture book that helps kids cope with death of a beloved pet. She’s also the founder of Kansas City Lady Entrepreneurs.

Connect with Erin

• Website: albrightcreative.us
• LinkedIn: /in/erinalbrightinkc
• Facebook: @albrightcreative.us
• Twitter: @ErinAlbright
• Instagram: @albrightcreative

Presented in The Cube (RC 270).

Friday, June 28th, 10am – The Cube (RC 270)

This session will offer the beginner entrepreneur an outline of how to start their own WordPress website without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed. A how-to about taking your idea from your head, to having a functioning website that showcases who you are and why you do what you do. A step-by-step process that brings WordPress and your very own website into view and makes it feel achievable.

Angela Pugh

KCPM, CCP, RC Podcast Host, Sober Entrepreneur, and High-Performance Coach Angela Pugh is a leading expert in the field of addiction and powerful self-improvement. Delicate as a hand grenade, she is relentless on her mission to teach people how to live sober with confidence, purpose and vision. Angela offers education through her nationally-ranked podcast, Addiction Unlimited, as well as offering online courses, coaching and training that gives students a system to create a strong sober life they are proud of. The point isn’t to be sober, it’s to love yourself so much you don’t want to drink.

Connect with Angela

• Website: angelapugh.com
• LinkedIn: /in/angela-pugh
• Facebook: @angela.pugh.94
• Instagram: @addictionunlimited

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 4pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Attendees will learn about common web-accessibility problem areas with several common WordPress plugins and how to resolve them.

Will Angles

Will Angles has been designing and developing websites professionally for 8 years, and unprofessionally for much longer. Mr. Angles specializes in digital ADA compliance, and WAI-WCAG/WAI-ARIA standards.

Connect with Will

• Website: huntergatherweb.com
• LinkedIn: /in/will-angles-848b6a86

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 3pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

ICYMI: companies across the world are being sued for lack of accessibility on their websites and it is starting to get serious (they even went after Beyonce!). In this session, I will walk through why your site, big or small, should be ADA accessible and who it helps. Then, I will give 3 to 5 EASY steps of how to make your images, menus, and entire site more accessible using tools and plugins available on WordPress. At the end, I will provide resources to help you audit your site, find information on the regulations (hint: they aren’t extremely firm), and additional information and ideas. This session is focused on the easiest things you can do to make your site accessible and requires little coding knowledge! It could be great information for beginners or even more advanced WP users.

→ Get Lora’s Slides

Lora Williams

Web Manager by day… Nerd by night (but also by day). I am a Web Content Manager for A2 Advertising, a local full-service agency that specializes in marketing for grocery stores. Between 5 years and radio and 2 years with the agency, I have experience in coordinating promotions for brands, content management in WordPress and WordPress for Broadcasters, and creating email campaigns in WP and Mailchimp. On the weekends, you can find me at renaissance festivals performing music or raising money for kids in KC by playing games with Extra Life!

Connect with Lora

• Website: a2adv.com
• Twitter: @MedievalMelody
• LinkedIn: /in/lora-williams-ab690898
• Facebook: @loramwilliams
• Instagram: @MedievalMelody

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 2pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

In this talk, we’ll discuss how our decisions as designers and developers affect people’s lives, as well as practical ways our daily work can actually change the lives of others for good. If we really believe that WordPress is about democratizing publishing — empowering anyone to share their voice with the world — then our work must always reflect that value. This means that our creations must be accessible to those with differing levels of physical abilities, as well as those with differing levels of experience and those who speak other languages. Citing real-life examples, we’ll learn to think differently about building WordPress and look at practical ways to implement this in our daily work.

John Regan

John Regan is a Kansas City native with 20 years’ experience in web development, and nearly a decade of work with WordPress. A WordPress Core Contributor, theme and plugin author, he currently serves as Senior Digital Strategist at Fervor Marketing, a local marketing agency working with clients that impact the world for good. He’s also a husband, father, former minister, and an Iraq veteran.

Connect with John

• Website: johnregan3.com
• Twitter: @johnregan3
• LinkedIn: /in/johnregan3
• Facebook: @johnregan3
• Instagram: @johnregan3

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 11am – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Whether you are selling a product or selling your content, WordPress can help you make a second income or even quit that day job. In this session, I will go through a variety of business models that range from blogging to eCommerce and the revenue models that can be used to generate income. I’ll talk about the role that WordPress, social media, and email marketing play in those models. Finally, we’ll focus on the steps it takes and some of the pitfalls to avoid when building your business.

→ Get Sean’s Slides

Sean Nicholson

Sean has spent much of his 25-year career helping companies connect with their employees and customers by designing and implementing award-winning intranet, social media, and integrated marketing solutions. Over the years, he has worked for a broad range of Kansas City companies including Sprint/EMBARQ, UMKC, Perceptive Software, Intouch Solutions and PlattForm Advertising. He has also led civic organizations in roles such as Vice President of community development, Alderman of Ward I, and Acting Mayor for the city of Rockaway Beach, MO. In his current role, Sean is the Co-Founder and Ignition90, where he provides marketing and communication solutions to clients. Their no-nonsense approach to digital marketing challenges all clients to think like a startup and stop trying to “be reasonable”. Their solutions often leverage WordPress as the core of a digital ecosystem that include social media, paid media, email marketing, and influencer engagement. In his spare time, Sean loves to write and has authored/edited more than a dozen books that are published in multiple languages and currently writes about social media and blogging at SocMedSean.com. He is passionate about the integration of online and offline communications and the positive impacts that can occur when an open dialogue is developed between companies and the consumer communities that they serve.

• Website: socmedsean.com
• Twitter: @socmedsean
• LinkedIn: /in/seanrnicholson
• Facebook: @socmedsean
• Instagram: @socmedsean

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 1pm – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

This session will discuss how you build your personal or professional brand to reflect your values, define your voice, and drive your business. Values based marketing can help you authentically connect to customers and allow you to share your unique perspective to grow your career.

→ Get Andrea’s Slides

Andrea Garcia

Andrea serves as the Chief Mind Officer and client lead for Mind + Matter. Andrea supports client digital strategy, web development, and business operations. Andrea graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2007 with a B.S. in Industrial Psychology and in 2008 with a Master’s in Business Administration. Following a ten year tenure at Cerner in marketing, sales, and client management she moved to an account focused role in Associated Wholesale Grocers’ in-house agency. Andrea enjoys creating meaningful partnerships to help her clients express and achieve their goals. When not at M+M Andrea can be found watching soccer, taking or teaching a yoga class, playing with her little beige puppy, or Instagramming her latest meal. Andrea’s philosophy is to find your true north, she strives to help others find and follow their driving purpose.

Connect with Andrea

• Website: mindmatterkccom
• Twitter: @AKGarcia331
• LinkedIn: /in/akgarcia331
• Facebook: @AndreaGarcia331
• Instagram: @AKGarcia331

Presented in Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101).

Friday, June 28th, 10am – Capitol Federal Conference Center (RC 101)

Get ready to dive into the most important legal issues freelancers should know.

We’ll cover:

1. What you should know about starting and running an LLC;
2. How to report and pay taxes;
3. How to protect your intellectual property and best practices for dealing with IP with your clients;
4. How to hire and manage employees and subcontractors; and
5. A primer on how to use contracts to improve your freelance business. There will also be plenty of time for Q&A so bring your questions!

→ Get Chris’s slides

Related articles by Chris Brown

• How to Become a Successful Freelancer eBook
• The No Hassle Guide to Using Contracts eBook
• How to Protect Your Intellectual Property eBook

Chris Brown

Chris Brown represents startups, freelancers, and small businesses through his firm, Venture Legal. He also co-founded Contract Canvas, a digital contract platform for freelancers.

Connect with Chris

• Website: ventureleagalkc.com
• Twitter: @CSBCounsel
• LinkedIn: /in/csbcounsel
• Facebook: @csbcounsel