Checkout Summit in Sicily: Bringing the WooCommerce Community Back with Rodolfo Melogli

In this episode of Within WordPress, I sit down with Rodolfo Melogli to talk about his path from growing Business Bloomer into one of the best-known WooCommerce resources to now launching Checkout Summit, a dedicated in-person WooCommerce conference in Palermo, Sicily, on April 23–24, 2026

After years without a WooCommerce-focused event since WooConf 2017, Checkout Summit feels like a big moment. Rodolfo explains why now is the right time, how AI has changed content-led growth, and why he is betting on something far more human: personal brand, real relationships, and community.

We dig into the thinking behind the event, from its intentionally small size of just 150 attendees to the 12 carefully selected WooCommerce talks, practical breakout sessions, and all-inclusive format designed to keep people together and conversations flowing. The goal is simple: less conference chaos, more meaningful connections, better conversations, and real business outcomes.

If you care about WooCommerce, events, community, and where growth is heading next, this episode is for you. There are still some tickets left at checkoutsummit.com.

00:00 Podcast Welcome Guest
00:54 WooCommerce Origins 2011
01:42 Choosing Ecommerce Platforms
02:50 From Rome To Ireland
04:05 Life In Sicily Food Heat
06:12 Roman Identity Accents
07:37 International Clients Only
11:14 Italy Business Reality
14:57 WooCommerce Fork Story
15:55 Why WooCommerce Clicked
18:24 Blog Snippets Take Off
20:08 AI Changes Content Game
22:50 Viral Tech Fix Post
24:07 Why Sicily Summit
25:28 WooCommerce Events Gap
27:05 Small Conference Vibe
32:35 Building In Public
36:39 Unique Event Format
43:00 Tickets And Timing
45:01 Speaker Selection Strategy
49:21 Wrap Up And Links

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - WooCommerce Guru
• (00:02:49) - Wonders of the World
• (00:06:11) - Do Italians Have A Roman Accent?
• (00:07:37) - Is it time to start doing business locally in Sicily?
• (00:13:43) - WooCommerce vs. Woocommerce: How Did You Choose
• (00:20:39) - How to Make a Living on WordPress for 12 Years
• (00:23:52) - WooCommerce: Bringing Human Connections back
• (00:33:15) - Posting on Medium
• (00:35:23) - Ideas for a Word Camp
• (00:36:11) - What's the Conference's PRIDE?
• (00:43:13) - Tickets still available for the Summer Games
• (00:45:01) - WooCommerce Conference