Usually, we catch up with David Burkardt somewhere between sessions and coffee lines at big international events. This time was different – we met on his home turf. When the global WordPress community came to Switzerland, the city of Basel briefly transformed into the epicenter of digital conversations, code, and coffee in biodegradable cups. Basel – David’s hometown and the headquarters of cyon.ch – had the honor of hosting WordCamp Europe. And what a show it was.
For David Burkardt, CEO and Head of Business Development at cyon.ch, the experience felt almost surreal. “It honestly felt a bit surreal. Suddenly I was bumping into people I usually only meet at big international shows like CloudFest, but this time they were right here in Basel. I was thrilled that WordCamp Europe brought so many wonderful faces from our community directly to my hometown.” he recalls with a smile. Having WordCamp just five minutes from his office? A dream come true for many, a reality for David.
The beating heart of open source in Switzerland
For the local tech scene, this wasn’t just a novelty. Burkardt emphasizes that hosting over 1,700 WordPress enthusiasts in one place was “Having over 1,700 WordPress enthusiasts come together here was fantastic – not just for our city, but for the entire Swiss tech community. It was a great opportunity to showcase Basel and Switzerland on the global WordPress stage.” The event was an unofficial showcase for Basel and Switzerland as places open to innovation and collaboration.
So what’s the WordPress scene in Switzerland really like? According to Burkardt, it’s diverse and well connected: “Open source, and WordPress in particular, is a remarkable achievement we all benefit from. Switzerland has a vibrant web-development scene spread across many cities, and the community stays well connected. You’ll find everyone from freelancers and small businesses to employees at large corporations, each bringing their unique perspectives.” That kind of ecosystem – spread out geographically, but united in values – gives Swiss open-source culture a distinct character. It’s not just about code; it’s about collaboration across linguistic, regional, and organizational boundaries. Whether it’s a solo developer in Lucerne, a startup team in Zurich, or an enterprise architect in Geneva – they’re all part of the same conversation. And what binds them together? A shared passion for building better tools, contributing openly, and pushing the internet forward one pull request at a time.
Energy, enthusiasm – and a hint of #WPDrama
While the overall atmosphere was festive and inclusive, there were moments of noticeable tension. “The energy at the event was amazing. I find the community very inclusive and respectful, and everyone seemed cheerful, curious and helpful. You could definitely feel some tension around the #WPDrama during the closing fireside chat, but I’m confident everyone will grow from that bit of heat.” Burkardt says diplomatically, without diving into the controversy.
Fuel for the future
For his company – offering eco-friendly, high-performance hosting – WordCamp Europe proved deeply motivating. “The event once again showed what a strong community can achieve when we share a common goal of making the internet a better place.” he says. “This kind of spirit really supports our own mission to deliver sustainable, warm-hearted hosting solutions that make WordPress – or any CMS – run incredibly fast. Experiencing the community’s drive gives us extra motivation to keep pushing forward.”
WordCamp Europe in Basel was more than just another tech conference – it was a symbolic nod to local communities that build the web, line by line, every day. And for David Burkardt, it was a rare moment when the global met the local – right around the corner.
We can’t wait to welcome David and the whole WordPress community next year in Kraków – this time, on our home soil in Poland.