It’s October 23 — exactly six months before Checkout Summit 2026 begins. On April 23, 2026, the first independent in-person conference dedicated entirely to WooCommerce makers will take place in Palermo, Italy. Six months sounds like a long time, but it feels incredibly… close.
This feels like the right moment to pause, look back at how this idea started, what happened over the summer, and where things stand now. It’s also a small celebration: early bird tickets have already sold, even before I’ve announced a single speaker or sponsor.
I’ve been documenting this journey publicly through the hashtag #RoadToCheckoutSummit on X and LinkedIn — part accountability, part motivation, and part behind-the-scenes storytelling. Today’s milestone deserves a longer entry, so here’s how we got here, and what’s next for the next 182 days.
Where The Idea Came From
For years, I’ve attended and spoken at WordCamps and other events within the WooCommerce and WordPress ecosystem. Those events are great for networking, but they’re not always tailored for WooCommerce professionals — developers, agencies, and product builders who live and breathe the platform every day.
That’s where the initial spark came from: the desire to create something focused. A place where conversations wouldn’t drift into unrelated topics, and where attendees could really go deep into everything checkout, scaling, integrations, and commerce.
The idea of “Checkout Summit” appeared in early June 2025, during a hallway chat at WCEU. I kept thinking: what if we had a dedicated, high-quality, in-person event that united WooCommerce makers? That thought stayed with me until it became impossible to ignore.
A Summer Of Research And Feasibility
Ideas are easy — the real challenge was figuring out if such an event could actually happen.
I spent most of the summer testing feasibility. That meant budgeting, mapping potential venues, checking hotel availability, identifying local suppliers, and studying similar events’ formats and price points. Palermo quickly became the clear choice: it’s well connected, affordable, beautiful, and — importantly — home.
Alongside the practical side came the emotional one: deciding whether I wanted to take on the full risk and responsibility myself. I’d be the founder, organizer, and promoter. No committee, no team, just me.
Once I started crunching numbers, it became clear that with enough sponsors and ticket sales, the event could not only survive — it could thrive. The summer ended with a decision: I was going all in.
Building In Public
From day one, I decided to share the process publicly on Twitter. Each decision has also been published on this same website, under the Behind the scenes post category.
More recently, I also started using the hashtag #RoadToCheckoutSummit on X and LinkedIn — with one post per day on X and only the important ones on LinkedIn.
The idea wasn’t to market aggressively, but to document. I wanted people to see what it takes to launch something like this from scratch: the venue calls, the sponsorship emails, the doubts, the excitement, and the occasional “what am I even doing?” moment.
Building in public also made me more accountable. When you post updates every day, you can’t hide behind procrastination. The hashtag became a personal deadline tracker, a motivation tool, and, unexpectedly, a way to connect with others who’ve built events themselves.
The First Tickets Sold
Something remarkable happened a few days ago: I sold the first early bird tickets — before any public announcement of speakers, sponsors, or even an agenda.
All I had shared so far was the date, the city, and the mission. Yet, a few brave early supporters decided to trust the vision. It was a huge moment — a sign that there’s genuine hunger for a WooCommerce-only event that’s independent, authentic, and focused.
Selling those first tickets made everything feel real. It validated the countless hours spent designing the brand, writing the copy, and explaining (to myself and others) why Checkout Summit matters. It’s no longer an idea — it’s happening.
Doing It Alone (But Not Really)
While I’m technically organizing this event solo, it hasn’t been a lonely journey. The WooCommerce community — friends, sponsors, and fellow builders — have been incredibly supportive with advice, introductions, and feedback.
Still, it’s a massive personal project. Every day involves a mix of excitement and anxiety. There’s the constant question: can I actually pull this off? But that uncertainty is part of what makes the process so rewarding.
I’ve realized that independence doesn’t mean isolation. Building in public creates its own kind of team — everyone cheering you on, giving suggestions, or even challenging decisions. It’s community in the purest form.
The Next Six Months
With 182 days left, the focus shifts from feasibility to execution. That means finalizing sponsorships, confirming speakers, preparing the website updates, and launching the inclusion grant.
I’ve been working on manual outreach to companies across the WooCommerce ecosystem, and the conversations so far have been encouraging. Some deals are already in motion; others will take time. Either way, it’s progress.
I also want to ensure that Checkout Summit isn’t just a one-off experiment but the beginning of something lasting. The long-term goal is to make it one of the annual in-person events for WooCommerce makers — an essential stop on everyone’s calendar.
A Small Hint
Today is special for another reason — actually, several. But it’s too early to talk about those. Give me a few more days before I can share what’s next.
For now, I’m taking a minute to celebrate this small but significant milestone: four months down, six to go. The road to Checkout Summit continues — one update, one task, one post at a time.
