CloudFest 2025 brought together the brightest minds in the cloud hosting and WordPress industries for nearly a week of collaboration, networking, and celebration at Europa Park in Rust, Germany.
This year’s event stood out with a stronger WordPress focus, drawing over 8,000 attendees and fostering deeper conversations on topics like enterprise and agency growth, AI in WordPress, and maximizing security.
NitroPack’s participation was pivotal as we gathered invaluable insights and connected with the WordPress community, all while navigating one of the most exciting and unique industry events of the year.
CloudFest 2025 Overview
CloudFest, now in its 21st year, continues to be a cornerstone event for the B2B cloud and web hosting industry.
With many NitroPack and WP Engine customers present, this event was the perfect opportunity for us to dive deep into WordPress-related discussions. The event was held at Europa Park in Rust, Germany—a stunning venue that hosted not only the conference’s keynotes and exhibits but also fun social activities for attendees.
- 5 full days
- 8,000+ attendees from the cloud and WordPress ecosystems
- 3 tracks dedicated to agencies, developers, and businesses
- 80+ talks, fireside chats, masterclasses, and panel discussions
Our team arrived on March 16, giving us the chance to network with Hackathon participants, many of whom were also in town to attend the main conference.
The logistical journey to Europa Park was a bit different than the usual city events; our team took a flight, three trains, and a bus to reach the iconic location—definitely a unique start to the CloudFest experience!
The CloudFest Hackathon: Innovation in Action
CloudFest kicked off with the Hackathon, an annual gathering that brings developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts together to collaborate on open-source projects that impact the cloud services and web hosting industries.
While NitroPack didn’t participate in the Hackathon this year, our team had the opportunity to network with participants and gain insights into some of the exciting projects in progress aimed at advancing the open-source ecosystem.
The Hackathon not only serves as a hub for innovation but also fosters community building, a theme that ran throughout the entire event.
WordPress Day: Networking and Insightful Talks
March 17 was dedicated to WordPress and agencies, with two tracks of talks focused on everything from fueling enterprise growth to the future of AI in WordPress.
Our team was especially keen on attending talks like "Beyond Speed & Uptime: What Agencies Actually Need from a Hosting Partner," by Andrew Palmer, which gave us a fresh perspective on what agencies expect from their hosting partners.
We had the chance to connect with industry experts, partners, and community members, gaining actionable insights into the most pressing topics for WordPress professionals today. From the importance of security to discussions about the future of the open web, WordPress Day was an invaluable source of knowledge.
Networking was also a highlight of the day. Being able to connect face-to-face with fellow WordPress professionals in a relaxed environment allowed us to deepen existing relationships and explore new opportunities for collaboration. This day set the tone for what turned out to be a truly impactful event.
Social Hours: Unwinding and Networking with the Community
As evening fell, the streets of Europa Park transformed into a lively fairground, offering attendees a chance to unwind with local and international food and drinks. The social event provided a perfect backdrop for informal conversations and networking with fellow community members.
One of the most memorable moments came when Atarim’s CEO, Vito Peleg, took the stage and rocked out with the "Lords of the Uptime." It was a great way to wrap up an inspiring day and kick off the networking festivities.
These social hours proved to be an excellent opportunity to relax, bond with others, and enjoy some light-hearted fun after a day of deep discussions and thought leadership.
Main Exhibition Days (March 18-20): The WP Engine Booth
The main exhibition days brought even more action, as our team spent time at the WP Engine sponsor booth located in the WordPress zone of the expo. Here, we chatted with both current and potential customers, discussing the importance of managed hosting and performance optimization.
Through these interactions, we gathered several key takeaways that will help us improve NitroPack's offerings. The opportunity to meet with partners, agencies, and hosting providers face-to-face gave us fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities the WordPress community is facing.
Crafting an Independent Digital Strategy
On March 19, Svilena Peneva, who leads NitroPack’s partnership efforts, delivered an insightful talk on the importance of crafting an independent digital strategy. She focused on three key pillars: security, site speed, and scalability—core aspects of a successful online presence.
Her talk also highlighted how NitroPack and WP Engine have integrated these pillars into their tech stacks to create a stronger, more resilient offering for WordPress professionals.
The conversation helped cement NitroPack’s role as a leader in site performance and optimization, showcasing how we continue to evolve our solutions to meet the growing demands of the WordPress ecosystem.
Coming Up Next: The Future of NitroPack at CloudFest
CloudFest 2025 was an exciting journey filled with great learning opportunities, deep networking, and plenty of fun. As we reflect on the incredible discussions and interactions, we can’t help but feel more energized than ever to keep pushing the limits of what we can achieve with NitroPack.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to collaborate with the WordPress community and beyond!
