Articles

conference Article

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/wagtail">Wagtail</a> is literally for the birds. Because everything about it is fly.If you haven’t tried it, you’re in for a treat. First, it’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.python.org/">Python-based,</a> which is universally popular and offers a fun framework for creative play. In minutes, you can use their starter kit to spin up a virtual environment, isolate your dependencies, and install the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://github.com/wagtail">CMS package from GitHub.</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://docs.wagtail.org/en/stable/index.html">The docs</a> are clean and easy to follow, and there are simple templates for kicking things off. Oh, and there’s a great community backing things up via <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wagtailcms.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-32p71hq4n-FC9dYEwKlKdEdgDX5u~tjA#/shared-invite/email">Slack</a> (and more). Like it said, it’s fly.As a former builder who sometimes pines for Dreamweaver and still gets giddy at the sight of code, Wagtail is a great open source tool for managing content at enterprise scale. It’s trusted by tens of thousands of organizations worldwide, including visible brands like NASA, Google, and MIT. It’s also earned nearly 20,000 stars on GitHub. So it’s fun – but it’s also fully equipped to power some serious sites. From a usability perspective, Wagtail brings a clean, intuitive, and inviting UX to the table, offering some nice bells and whistles to make the editing experience a breeze. Everything is within arm's reach, so you can really stretch your wings when managing pages, editing blogs, and more.  <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:86.81%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image.png" /></figure>Creating and editing a blog in Wagtail CMS. Source: Wagtail YouTube channel. Wagtail appeals to a diverse range of organizations, from governments to businesses to cultural organizations. As an open source project, it has carved a unique niche in the landscape, often as an alternative to more established staples like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/wordpress">WordPress</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/drupal">Drupal</a>. It also focuses keenly on accessibility as a foundational tenet.  What’s in a name? The word is the bird. The brainchild of UK-based <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://torchbox.com/">Torchbox</a> – a global agency that offers digital marketing solutions for charities and public sector organizations – the identity was fashioned after the charming <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagtail">Wagtail bird.</a> These avians were fixtures on the lawn outside the company’s offices, and reflected the light, easy, and delightful sensibilities of the software.Torchbox is part of that rare breed of mission-focused businesses. It’s employee-owned, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_Corporation_(certification)">B Corp Certified,</a> and has cultivated a culture that’s dedicated to making a difference in the world. They have an inspiring story, and Wagtail is just one chapter of it. Wagtail has flown into our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/cms-critic-awards">CMS Critic Awards</a> over the last few years, rallying its global community to participate. It’s clear that the platform has amassed a loyal “flock” of users, and that’s a tribute to its flexibility and ease of use. Along with its Django-style models for customizing data structures and functions, Wagtail’s CMS has some great features in its 7.0 release. I spoke to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagenvoss/">Meagen Voss,</a> a member of the Wagtail Core Team and the Partnership and Community manager at Torchbox, and she shared some of the latest “chirps” from the platform. From workflow enhancements to its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://docs.wagtail.org/en/stable/topics/streamfield.html">Streamfield</a> updates that power improved previews, you can get a tight overview of what’s taking flight in this latest version: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/r5RbV7TveFU"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r5RbV7TveFU" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="learn-more-at-wagtail-space-2025">Learn more at Wagtail Space 2025</h3>Whether you’re a veteran user or new to Wagtail, you can get the lowdown on current innovation and what’s ahead at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wagtail.org/wagtail-space-2025/">Wagtail Space 2025</a> – the organization’s annual shindig. It’s a free virtual event designed for creators aiming to learn more about the platform or level up their Wagtail skills. The event is happening next week from October 8 – 10, and is drawing a collective of educators, publishing professionals, developers, open source evangelists, and digital leaders from across the globe. The format offers an array of talks from community members, some dynamite use cases, and networking with fellow Wagtailians. Highlights include sessions like The State of Wagtail with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thibaudcolas/">Thibaud Colas</a> of the Wagtail Core Team, Matt Westcott on Where Next for Wagtail Search?, and Juan Aguayo sharing the Bogotá Digital Library’s Wagtail success story. With AI being a central focus across the CMS industry (and everywhere else), Wagtail Space is weaving it into the conversation. Sage Abdullah and Tom Usher will lead a session called Wagtail: Responsible Innovation for Content Editors, while Trish Thomas will share strategies for creating connections between stories and objects using AI.Other talks dive into AI-driven content editing, government design systems, and innovative approaches to publishing. You can check out the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wagtail.org/wagtail-space-2025/schedule/">full schedule here.</a>If you’ve been curious about Wagtail, this might be a good “first flight” in a friendly formation. The community is fun and welcoming, which is one of the great benefits of open source projects like this. It’s also a breeze to get started, so I encourage checking it out. Interested in joining the flock? Learn more and register <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wagtail.org/wagtail-space-2025/">on the event website.</a> <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-wagtail?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Wagtail? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Birds of a Feather: Wagtail Space 2025 Offers 3 Days of Open Source Exploration

matt-garrepy

Optimizely’s New Agent Orchestration Gives Marketers a ‘Magic Wand’ for Building Custom Workflows

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a> is shaping up to be a home run – and it’s not only because <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/batter-up-sitecore-symposium-2025-brings-jesse-cole-of-savannah-bananas-to-the-plate">Jesse Cole </a>of the Savannah Bananas is taking the field as a keynote speaker.Now, the DXP is bringing another heavy hitter to bat: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulroetzer/">Paul Roetzer,</a> founder of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://smarterx.ai/">SmarterX</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/">Marketing AI Institute.</a> An acclaimed and respected voice in the AI landscape, Paul’s transformative thinking has helped business and marketing leaders harness the value of AI, apply it responsibly and ethically, and maintain a core focus on people and purpose. Together, the duo promises to deliver a double play of marketing and AI knowledge to Symposium attendees.“Paul is at the forefront of helping marketers understand what this means and how to respond,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-taps-veteran-eric-stine-as-ceo-to-lead-next-phase-of-growth-and-innovation">Eric Stine,</a> CEO of Sitecore. “At Symposium, his insights will connect directly to what Sitecore does best: enabling marketers to create personalized experiences that reach the right people, with the right message, even as discovery gets harder.”Sitecore Symposium is taking place November 3-5 at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://swandolphin.com/">Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort</a> in Orlando, Florida. One of the industry’s premier annual events, this year’s Symposium promises to bring together more than 1,500 marketing and digital leaders to explore how AI is changing how we discover and connect with brands – and how marketers can stay ahead in the agentic era.“The shape of internet traffic continues to change at lightning pace, transforming discovery and challenging brand experience,” Eric continued. “Agentic intelligence allows marketers to unlock the power and the potential of precision marketing techniques – like programmatic ABM – at scale, and to ensure experiences are context-aware, personal, and relevant across every channel so you can reach every customer where they live today: in the summaries and social feeds that are rapidly replacing search and click.”<h3 id="a-“go-to”-voice-for-ai-">A “go-to” voice for AI </h3>Paul Roetzer is known across industries for his luminary thinking and real-world perspective on AI, but his entrepreneurial journey began well before the current generative and agentic boom. After graduating from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, he founded PR 20/20, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/hubspot">HubSpot’s</a> first partner agency. After establishing it as a pioneering force in the digital marketing space, he sold it in 2021.Roetzer’s blended foundation as both an agency innovator and AI educator has given him a practical, story-driven approach. He’s put this to work helping professionals and leaders reimagine business models, reinvent industries, and rethink what's possible as AI continues to transform the market. In addition to his business developments, Roetzer is also the co-author of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Artificial-Intelligence-Future-Business/dp/1637740794">Marketing Artificial Intelligence: AI, Marketing and the Future of Business,</a> and the host of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase/">The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast</a>. He's a recent episode for your consideration: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUAuB5g_oCw"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SUAuB5g_oCw" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> In addition to digital content, Roetzer is also behind the renowned <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/events/marketing-artificial-intelligence-conference">Marketing AI Conference (MAICON),</a> which will be held in October of this year. His free monthly “Intro to AI” class has also drawn more than 40,000 registrants.As a speaker, Roetzer is focused on making AI approachable and actionable for marketers and business leaders. He has consulted with hundreds of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and has become one of the foremost authorities on the shape and direction of AI.<h3 id="loading-the-bases-with-top-tier-industry-speakers">Loading the bases with top-tier industry speakers</h3>As mentioned, Roetzer joins keynote speaker Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas, whose fans-first philosophy has redefined loyalty and engagement. Together, they embody Symposium’s theme: bold voices and practical innovation to help marketers thrive in a new era of speed, scale, and human-centered experience.“Marketers are facing a wave of change from the collapse of traditional search to the rise of AI agents and intelligent discovery,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebb/">Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek,</a> Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore. “Paul brings clarity and urgency to this shift. He’ll help marketers move from theory to action and show what it really takes to stay visible and relevant in this new era.”Symposium 2025 is the place where marketing leaders connect, learn, and prepare for the future of digital experience. Register today at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com</a> and join the conversation on LinkedIn and X with #SitecoreSYM. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Sitecore Taps AI Strategist Paul Roetzer for Keynote at Symposium 2025

cms-critic-staff

<hr /> If you think it was hard getting tickets to Hamilton, try scoring seats for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://thesavannahbananas.com/team/">Savannah Bananas.</a> Oh, you’ve never heard of them? Let me enlighten you.You see, there’s baseball. And then there’s Banana Ball. They grow on the same tree, but the latter is a completely different kind of fruit. One might say it’s more, well… “a-peeling.” Once called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5RkB7_qNh8">“The Greatest Show in Sports” by ESPN,</a> the Savannah Bananas is easily the most fun you’ll ever have watching America’s favorite pastime. Banana Ball follows its own zany rules, injecting dancing players, acrobatics, and trick plays that challenge the status quo – often bringing fans and spectators into the experience.What made this quirky sport a viral sensation and a big-time brand success? Find out from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/yellowtuxjesse/">Jesse Cole,</a> the owner of Savannah Bananas, at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a>, November 3–5 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. In his exclusive keynote, you’ll get the whole “brand banana” and then some. This year’s Symposium also promises a backdrop for upleveling your marketing using AI, data, and content to build experiences that are bona fide home runs.   Before you go bananas over this news, Sitecore has a few more things planned for this year’s Symposium. By the way, early bird ticket pricing ends this week (September 12), so register now at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com </a> <h3 id="loading-the-bases-with-brand-power">Loading the bases with brand power</h3>For Jesse, Banana Ball is the realization of his dream to make baseball livelier and more fun. The Savannah Bananas are often on the road, playing in front of sold-out stadiums to raucous fans who come for the sport, but stay for the batters on stilts and the shortstop’s cartwheels. Or even the musical interludes from the All-American Rejects.As Jesse said during <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluf-1XUb2k">an interview</a> on a recent edition of 60 Minutes, it started as baseball. “But now,” he said wryly, “let’s just turn it up a little bit.” Jesse’s story is a remarkable one. When his dream of playing professional baseball was sidetracked by injury, he steered into coaching. Along the way, he realized just how bored he was sitting in the dugout – and that’s where the showman bug bit him. He started incorporating choreographed dances and baseline hijinks into the games. He even donned a whacky yellow hat as an homage to PT Barnum. As the famous circus proprietor once said, “Without promotion, something terrible happens: Nothing!” Jesse embodies that belief – and proudly wears his brand out loud every day.“If your owner is dressed up in a yellow tuxedo,” he said, “I think that gives permission to everyone else to not take themselves too seriously. To have fun.”This is a big part of what makes Banana Ball different. It’s not just the dancing umpires or golden capes. It’s the philosophy that drives it all. You'll get a better sense of it from that 60 Minutes package: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hluf-1XUb2k"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hluf-1XUb2k" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> As you can see, Jesse screams authenticity. It’s a rare quality these days, but he’s the real deal – and cares deeply about the fans and community he’s cultivated. Despite the slim odds of actually nailing tickets for a game (there are thousands on the waitlist), the Savannah Bananas are committed to making their family-friendly fun affordable and accessible. And Jesse, a visible brand himself on social media, is always looking for ways to make fans feel like they’re the number one priority.Banana Ball has become a viral sensation, and attendees of this year’s Symposium 2025 will get a taste of it as Jesse Cole delivers the main stage keynote. His disruptive thinking has turned spectators into participants – and in many ways, that reflects Sitecore’s focus on helping brands move beyond transactions to create moments that matter. At Sitecore Symposium 2025, attendees will explore how to apply this ethos to their marketing strategy using AI, data, and content. Like the Savannah Bananas, the right combination of tools and thinking can help build experiences that feel personal, participatory, and even unforgettable. According to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-taps-veteran-eric-stine-as-ceo-to-lead-next-phase-of-growth-and-innovation">Sitecore CEO Eric Stine,</a> Jesse has transformed the fan experience by proving that joy and connection can create lasting loyalty. “That same principle applies to every brand represented at Symposium,” he said. “With the scale and speed of AI-driven personalization, companies have the power to translate complex products, large end-markets, or immense amounts of content into meaningful experiences that are both personal and enduring.”<h3 id="explore-the-future-of-ai,-data,-and-content-in-paradise">Explore the future of AI, data, and content in paradise</h3>Symposium 2025 is the second event that Sitecore has held in Orlando this year, starting with its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/roi-explosion-sitecore-xm-cloud-delivers-371-return-on-investment-as-it-powers-the-agentic-future">Sales Kick Off back in July.</a> Orlando is a true “experience economy,” one of many reasons why it’s an ideal backdrop for an event that will attract 1,500 marketers, technologists, and digital leaders from around the globe.It’s also in Florida during the thick of autumn – exactly when the word “paradise” gets tossed into the descriptions. The air will be warm, the palm trees swaying, and the amenities are bountiful at the luxurious Dolphin Hotel. It’s also a stone’s throw away from Disney’s Boardwalk and a short hike to the Epcot theme park. While Jesse Cole is a big draw, Sitecore will also showcase its latest innovations at the event, including its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sitecore.com/partners/marketplace">newly launched App Marketplace,</a> which provides marketers, developers, and agency partners the freedom to build and deploy custom apps on demand using Sitecore’s SDK. When coupled with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/getting-loud-with-xm-cloud-sitecore-reports-100-growth-of-its-ai-powered-cloud-based-cms">XM Cloud,</a> Sitecore’s AI-ready, SaaS-native CMS, the App Marketplace provides dynamic solutions for brands to scale personalization with speed, flexibility, and precision – turning digital spectators into active participants. And XM Cloud continues to establish itself as a game-changer for organizations, delivering a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/roi-explosion-sitecore-xm-cloud-delivers-371-return-on-investment-as-it-powers-the-agentic-future">371% return on investment.</a> At Symposium, attendees will be treated to real-world stories from customers like the American Heart Association, DP World, GoTo Technologies, and WellSpan Health, illustrating how Sitecore is helping organizations transform their digital strategies – not just with tools, but with a mindset shift toward experience-led growth. “Partnering with Sitecore allowed us to move fast and deliver results,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pemahoney/">Peter Mahoney,</a> Chief Commercial Officer at GoTo Technologies. “In a matter of weeks, we consolidated fragmented digital experiences, launched scalable personalization, and introduced innovations like a simplified product selector. As a result, we saw a 78% surge in organic trial conversions, a 200% improvement in lead quality and a projected 60–70% reduction in infrastructure costs. This wasn’t just a redesign – it was a transformation of how we engage, convert, and grow.”<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/masha-rubashkina-70b9361b/">Masha Rubashkina</a>, Managing Director, Global Head of Marketing and Branding at Kroll, also underscored the transformative impacts of XM Cloud on its Kroll.com website. As she said, it was more than just a platform upgrade – it set a new standard for digital excellence. “We have transformed how we present and deliver the firm to our clients, bringing clarity to our capabilities and strengthening our brand through a unified, global digital experience,” she said. “This new platform enables both our teams and our clients to move with greater speed, precision, and relevance – supporting marketing-led growth and reinforcing our position as a trusted advisor worldwide.”<h3 id="see-you-at-sitecore-symposium-2025">See you at Sitecore Symposium 2025</h3>Or Bananaland. Bottom line: we'll be having fun as we explore the future of digital experiences.Symposium is easily one of my favorite events of the year. It’s a chance to learn, connect, and be inspired by the people and projects being built on Sitecore. I'm also eager to hear about the real-world challenges affecting the content management and digital experience industry inside one of the leading ecosystems.Just like last year, I’ll be on the ground at Symposium 2025, connecting with partners, customers, and builders like you from across the Sitecore community. If you <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sitecore-rocks-and-rolls-in-music-city-the-top-5-tracks-from-symposium-2024">read my analysis</a> from 2024 in Nashville, XM Cloud was already on a roll – and since then, it has continued to be a home run product for Sitecore. We’ll be tracking more of your stories as you share project outcomes and discuss the impacts of AI with Sitecore Stream and other advancements. If you want to join me, early bird pricing ends September 12, so register today at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">symposium.sitecore.com</a> <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-sitecore?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Sitecore? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Batter Up! Sitecore Symposium 2025 Brings Jesse Cole of Savannah Bananas to the Plate 

A Gathering of Content Champions: Here’s Why CMS Connect 25 was ‘Super’ in Every Way

Narrative Content: Storytelling Over Time

deane

Bridging Content and Data: A Contentstack Conversation with Bill Mitchell of MongoDB

CMS Kickoff 26

Find out at CMS Kickoff 26, January 13 - 14, St. Pete FL

What's the future of CMS in the AI era?

#ffffff

Sowing the Seeds of Love: Umbraco's Codegarden 2025 Celebrates 20 Years of Community and Innovation

Adapt + Thrive: Contentstack’s ContentCon25 Energizes Attendees with an AI-Powered Vision

Sorry, Eurovision. The real music was at CMS Summit 25. Here’s what made it a hit

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-smigelski-1b0023163/">Jared Smigelski</a> isn’t a dentist, but he’s doing his part to improve smiles.That’s not easy when you’re modernizing a digital ecosystem that’s been in place for decades. It’s a bit like performing dental work that’s long overdue. Where do you start? How do you ensure a pain-free outcome?When I met Jared at “The Composable Conference” a few weeks ago, I was immediately drawn into his career arc at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/benco-dental/">Benco Dental. </a>He's spent the last 13 years supporting and incrementally improving his company’s digital properties, starting as a software engineer and moving into product and application ownership. Now, he and his team are embarking on a “composable cleaning” that aims to transform his company’s IT posture with a MACH architectural approach – a move that could improve Benco’s competitive agility while future-proofing it for the next wave of tech innovation.“We’re a hundred-year-old company, maybe more, and the site’s been around since there’s been a site,” Jared said. “So it’s heavily monolithic, heavily legacy. All the logic is all over the place, and a lot of it lives on the front end, so we’re looking to pull a lot of that apart. In theory, MACH principles are perfect for what we’re trying to do.”This initiative is exactly why Jared and two of his key practitioners were attending the annual <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-composable-conference-2025-takes-shape-as-mach-alliance-announces-speakers-and-new-events">MACH Alliance event in Chicago</a>. They had already started down the composable path by assessing a move to the cloud, embracing an API-first approach, and even procuring several tools to begin “drilling” into their strategy. “We’re in a position right now where we’re integrating a lot of these tools that are already within the Alliance,” he explained, mentioning <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bloomreach.com/en">Bloomreach</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack</a> by name.But going composable can be like pulling teeth, fraught with challenges and mired by the looming potential of failure. For Jared, the MACH Alliance community provided a bit of Novocain for his concerns, and hearing the successful use cases from other practitioners made him hopeful about their prospects. For me, this is a fantastic story and a compelling use case. First, it’s an opportunity to hear from a digital leader at the very beginning of his MACH journey, starting with an aging monolithic legacy system – and one that’s homegrown. It's brownfield with a bit of green on the edges. It’s also an example of an enterprise application within the B2B healthcare vertical, which gives it a differentiated spin from the typical retail examples we’re accustomed to in MACH. Finally, Jared’s frankness captured some of the real stakes at play when considering a composable path. In our chat, we delved into his selection of Contentstack as a CMS foundation and what influenced his decision. We also discussed how their roadmap for AI is already beginning to take shape as they consider the possibilities of a MACH-powered future.Will it be easy to realize this vision? Not likely – and he knows this is a years-long gamble for both his team and the company. Getting there could, at times, feel like a mouth full of braces. But with the right planning, mindset, and execution, a more structured and (dare I say) beautiful smile awaits. <h3 id="avoiding-digital-“tooth-decay”">Avoiding digital “tooth decay”</h3>Benco is a storied brand in the dental industry. As the largest privately owned, full-service distributor of dental supplies, equipment, consulting, and equipment services in the US, it has a rich heritage built on almost a century of success. Founded by Benjamin Cohen, the company has remained family-owned and laser-focused on its mission of "delivering success smile after smile."​ Based in Pittston, Pennsylvania, Benco is also the nation's fastest-growing dental distributor with more than 50 regional showroom locations and five distribution centers servicing more than 30,000 dental professionals in all 50 states.As you might imagine, this unabated growth is driving more dependency on Benco’s digital properties, which feature e-commerce shopping capabilities. And while legacy and longevity are key attributes for a brand, Benco’s aging website and infrastructure have been a key source of pain as it looks to scale. To avoid this digital “tooth decay” and get to the next step of digital transformation, Jared has embraced a composable strategy – and tapping the MACH Alliance and its community of expertise is one way he’s hoping to achieve success as he begins to execute.   “The principles, they’ve been around since modern development architecture has been around,” he said, referencing the tenets of MACH. “But actually having some place that pulls it all together is really helpful. We’re here to try to learn more about these principles, get some actionable content when we go back, so we can implement a CMS successfully on the first try.”<h3 id="the-mach-community:-a-retainer-for-knowledge">The MACH community: A retainer for knowledge</h3>As Jared mentioned, the goal of attending “The Composable Conference” was to seek insight and walk away ready to take action. The education piece continues to be a shining example of where the Alliance excels, and that came through in spades during the first day’s keynote sessions and focused workshops. That said, I spoke to a number of attendees who felt that the conference's content was on point, but that “actionable” component might not have been fully realized. This is one area where the Alliance can continue to improve its value to members and the market at large. This year’s session tracks did provide a clear and concise framework for attendees, allowing them to select a path that best fits their current status – from early-stage “MACH Curious” to “Active” or “Pro.” I asked Jared what sessions stood out for him and why they made an impact. “Hearing Andrew talk from Zoro on that first day, that keynote was really pertinent because we’re a similar company,” he said. “We’re a B2B selling to offices, and hearing about that transformation was truly impressive.”He was referring to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/goodfellow/">Andrew Goodfellow</a>, CTO at Zoro – an online provider of tools, parts, and supplies. As CTO, Andy took attendees through the digital retailer’s early adoption of MACH, and how it ultimately enabled Zoro to go from 2 million SKUs to 15 million and double revenue. You can read more about it <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-deep-dish-on-composable-6-tasty-takeaways-from-the-mach-alliances-2025-conference">in my conference overview</a>. Jared also mentioned how <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.vfc.com/brands">the use case for VF</a>, the company behind brands like The North Face and Timberland, struck a chord. It was real and relatable, and gave him perspective on where things are at – and the potential for them to go off the rails. “They had a 1.0 version of a MACH approach, which is where I feel we’re at,” he reflected. “We’re kind of new to this, and you hear the candid truth about their story, right? He said it took them three years to release one site the first time, because they jumped in, rushed it, and didn’t do it right. So it’s cool to hear that other companies are having these same challenges.”<h3 id="a-new-cms-crown-with-contentstack">A new CMS crown with Contentstack</h3>Benco doesn't have an actual CMS – and never has. Instead, they have what Jared described as a homegrown “CMS-like” solution. So the prospect of moving to a mature platform is novel… and even a little nerve-racking.“I almost wish we could skip past that first phase where we picked the wrong one and we try to migrate to another,” he said, laughing. “We’re in the very first phase of this. We’ve never integrated a CMS.”Jared mentioned that he had already settled on Contentstack, a composable DXP with a headless CMS as its foundation. While the platform already presented key advantages based on their goals, some soft attributes added confidence to his decision.“We had some really good experiences with their sales team and technical folks,” he said. Relying on experienced voices has been key for Benco as early questions arose like, Where’s your data map? or Where’s your architecture diagram? They simply weren't prepared.The MACH Alliance community has been pivotal to supporting education within the composable category, and platforms like Contentstack have helped bridge the awareness gap from the very beginning. “The Composable Conference” helps to crystallize things over a two-day period, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-taps-dylan-valade-of-abbott-to-drive-expanding-ridemach-education-program">programs like rideMACH</a> are shepherding the cause throughout the year with courseware, certifications, and real-world insights from people who have done the work. “This has been really helpful to see and get to connect with people who’ve had those experiences," Jared remarked, "and help talk through what you do the first time.”<h3 id="removing-the-legacy-plaque-to-make-way-for-ai">Removing the legacy plaque to make way for AI</h3>Composable is already proving its value as a key conduit for AI innovation and adoption. Enterprises that have a composable posture are arguably better equipped to shift, experiment, and deploy new AI solutions, and the MACH Alliance is focusing more attention on this – specifically with the advent of its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-launches-new-mach-ai-exchange-to-help-enterprises-streamline-ai-adoption">new MACH AI Exchange.</a>  While Jared and his team are consumed with the elemental steps of their composable strategy, I asked him about AI and where it fits with his organization’s plans. From his perspective, he sees early gains within Benco’s content operations practice and how they leverage the new CMS.“The biggest use case that comes right to mind for AI, especially in something like a CMS, is getting our titles, blog posts, articles, all that stuff SEO optimized,” he said, reflecting how humans aren’t the best at knowing how to game the algorithms for search. This is one way that AI could have a solid impact on performance in the near term.But the future? With a composable architecture, Benco could certainly dive into the realm of more advanced personalization and optimization, akin to what Zoro achieved – something Jared and his team are eager to sink their teeth into.Here’s five minutes of brain floss to sharpen your smile: <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/BuUbmrwne-I"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BuUbmrwne-I" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:33.07%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/contentcon25-logo-1747412490394.png" /><h4 id="contentstack-contentcon-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.contentstack.com/contentcon">Contentstack ContentCon 25</a></h4>June 3-5, 2025 – Chicago, USAThe future of digital is waiting for you! Contentstack presents ContentCon, the premier event for digital teams and industry leaders who are reimagining the future of digital experiences. Join us for two days of transformative presentations and workshops designed to help you put personalization and AI strategies into action. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://contentcon2025.site.zuddl.com/">Register today! </a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

MACHtales: Voices from “The Composable Conference” with Jared Smigelski of Benco Dental

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/tom-cranstoun">Tom Cranstoun</a>, “The AEM Guy,” is the principal consultant at Digital Domain Technologies Limited and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> The Frankfurt skyline, the only city in Germany with skyscrapers, provided a fitting backdrop for two days of intense conversation about content management systems at the CMS Summit 2025, organized by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25/program">Boye &amp; Co. </a>This first European installment brought together a diverse mix of CMS practitioners, vendors, agencies, and analysts from across Europe and North America. My experience at the summit changed how I view the intersection of AI, CMS, and web technologies—areas that directly connect to my professional focus.<h3 id="the-state-of-content-management-in-2025">The State of Content Management in 2025</h3>What struck me most was not the technical specifications of various platforms, but the rich dialogue about how organizations actually use these systems. A common challenge emerged across multiple sessions: the search for a perfect "all-in-one" solution often leads to disappointment.Several presentations addressed this directly, noting that good technology alone doesn't guarantee success. Speakers described how quickly new requirements can reveal limitations in even the most promising systems. This observation was reinforced by cautions against purchasing tools before clearly defining the problems they should solve. The recommendation to view technology "not as a solution but as an enabler" resonated with many attendees, myself included.<h3 id="ai-integration:-substance-over-spectacle">AI Integration: Substance Over Spectacle</h3>The discussion around AI and content management stood out for its practicality. Rather than focusing on theoretical applications, presenters addressed real implementation challenges.Sessions on AI integration cut through typical enthusiasm with a focus on creating genuine value. Speakers emphasized that successful AI implementation depends less on impressive features and more on building user trust and achieving measurable outcomes.Several talks provided valuable insights on how AI systems interact with CMS-powered content, highlighting current limitations and offering concrete approaches to help AI better understand structured content—a critical consideration as these technologies become more deeply integrated. In full transparency, I was one of the speakers and I moderated one of the workshops, “Trust in AI”.<h3>"How Did I Not Know This?"</h3>The most profound insight came during the "Trust in AI" and "Building Products with AI" workshops, where a startling realization emerged that changed my understanding of AI in multilingual content management: Non-English speakers experience AI differently. And those of us in the English-speaking tech world rarely understand this. <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="-"> </h4><h4 style="text-align:center" id="“non-english-speakers-experience-ai-differently.-and-those-of-us-in-the-english-speaking-tech-world-rarely-understand-this.”">“Non-English speakers experience AI differently. And those of us in the English-speaking tech world rarely understand this.”</h4> <hr /> As someone familiar with AI bias discussions, I thought I understood the landscape. Yes, AI has a Western tilt. Yes, models reflect dominant ideologies. But what I hadn't fully grasped until this summit was the structural exclusion of non-English perspectives from the foundation upwards.In the European context, where linguistic diversity is lived rather than theoretical, this observation gained immediate traction. As we discussed AI implementation in content management systems, participants from various countries shared starkly different experiences with the same AI tools—experiences shaped primarily by language.The technical explanation proved equally eye-opening. Most large language models powering today's AI features in CMS platforms are trained on Common Crawl, a public dataset that scrapes vast portions of the web. Approximately 44% of this content is in English, with no other language exceeding 6%. German, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese are present, but minimally so. The remaining global languages are virtually absent.A couple of anecdotes from the side chatter further underscore this challenge in both artificial intelligence and machine translation, particularly when dealing with nuanced languages like German.  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trieloff/">Lars Trieloff's</a> remark, "His English is Better than AI's German," while perhaps humorous, highlights the limitations of AI in achieving natural and idiomatic language proficiency. This suggests that even with advancements in AI, human expertise remains essential for tasks requiring linguistic finesse.  <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:86.85%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747664039114.png" alt="A person speaking into a microphone

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trieloff/">Lars Trieloff</a>, principal at Adobe. Photo Source: Marta Cukierman <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelika-gust-5a4192205/">Angelika Gust's</a> experience further emphasizes this point. Her workflow, involving an "Experiment in AI," necessitated the active participation of native German speakers. Their role was crucial in rectifying the "stilted German" generated by the AI, indicating that while AI can be a useful tool in translation, it often falls short of producing text that is both grammatically correct and stylistically natural.  <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:85.83%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747664039107.png" alt="A person in a dress with her hands up

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelika-gust-5a4192205/">Angelika Gust</a>, Senior Product Manager, Digital Channels at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bahn.de/">DB Regio</a>. Photo Source: Marta Cukierman These real-world examples serve as a potent reminder that achieving truly human-quality language generation and translation remains a hurdle for artificial intelligence. The need for human oversight and correction is not just a matter of preference but a practical necessity for ensuring accuracy and quality. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:84.04%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747664038840.png" /></figure> This imbalance creates models that "think" in English—not just linguistically, but culturally and contextually. For CMS implementations serving multilingual audiences, this poses significant challenges. Content created or augmented by AI in non-English languages often exhibits lower quality, cultural misalignments, and reduced effectiveness.Don’t forget that the system prompt is also written in English, the UI and front end often sneak in tricks by looking for text like ‘think deeply” in the prompt and then adjust the model's output.Wow. Perhaps everyone should prompt in English! I hope not.Common Crawl's architecture compounds the problem by prioritizing highly-linked domains, which overwhelmingly come from the English-speaking West. Already-dominant voices are further elevated, while content from smaller, less networked communities is ignored. This is particularly problematic for CMS implementations serving diverse global audiences.The contrast with established institutional approaches was striking. The United Nations publishes all official documents in six languages. The European Union recognizes 24 official languages and mandates linguistic equity across communications. Yet our content management systems, increasingly powered by AI, lag significantly behind this standard despite serving the same diverse populations.Another layer of systemic imbalance arises in how AI systems are fine-tuned. Reinforcement <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforcement_learning_from_human_feedback">Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF)</a>, the technique used to refine language models, is overwhelmingly English-centric. This creates:<ul><li>Perspective Narrowing: Models reflect Anglophone values and social assumptions</li><li>Language Exclusion: Many global languages receive no feedback at all</li><li>Digital Colonialism: While the Global South provides labour and data, the benefits and governance remain concentrated in the Global North</li><li>Outdated non-native English: The global south was decolonised in the 1950s, their English language was often a second language, used as a link language; it has not kept up with modern English.</li></ul>What made this revelation particularly impactful was its obviousness in retrospect. As someone who has worked extensively with content management systems, I found myself wondering:  “How did I not know this?”<h3 id="digital-sustainability-emerges-as-a-core-concern">Digital Sustainability Emerges as a Core Concern</h3>The conference marked a shift toward acknowledging the environmental impact of digital solutions. Presentations offered compelling data on the growing carbon footprint of websites, applications, and AI systems.Speakers noted that building more climate-friendly digital experiences benefits both the planet and business outcomes. Several vendors and agencies have begun incorporating sustainability metrics into their development practices, signaling a potential industry-wide shift in priorities. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:86.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747664039089.png" alt="A person giving a presentation to a group of people

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/speakers/thorsten-jonas">Thorsten Jonas</a> presenting “The Time is Now for Web Sustainability.” Photo Source: Marta Cukierman This focus on sustainability connects directly to questions about resource allocation and efficiency—particularly relevant as content management systems grow more complex and data-intensive.<h3 id="collaborative-problem-solving-">Collaborative Problem-Solving </h3>The second day shifted from presentations to working groups addressing pressing industry questions. Topics included building products in the age of AI, future-proofing content across multiple platforms, and establishing accuracy and trust with AI systems. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:87.11%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747664277914.png" /></figure><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianmills/">Julian Mills</a> facilitating one of the day two workshop sessions. Photo Source: Janus BoyeThis format created space for substantive cross-organizational dialogue, allowing participants to share challenges and strategies from different perspectives. Many attendees noted this collaborative approach as particularly valuable compared to the experience of traditional conferences.<h3 id="reflections-and-forward-movement">Reflections and Forward Movement</h3>Looking back on the summit, what remains most valuable are the connections formed with other practitioners facing similar challenges. The conversations during breaks and social events often yielded insights as valuable as the formal sessions.For those working at the intersection of content management and emerging technologies, the path forward requires both technical expertise and strategic vision. We're navigating an industry-wide transformation driven by technological changes that pressure vendors, agencies, and clients alike.The multilingual AI revelation particularly calls for a shift in how we approach AI integration in content management. If we truly want AI-enhanced CMS to serve global audiences, then we need:<ul><li>Training data that's representative, multilingual, and culturally nuanced</li><li>Evaluation processes that account for linguistic diversity</li><li>Governance structures that include voices from all markets served</li><li>More inclusive, ethically curated datasets</li><li>Feedback systems reflecting a genuinely global range of human values</li><li>Movement beyond tokenism into structural equity</li></ul>The next European CMS Summit is scheduled for May 12-13, 2026, again in Frankfurt. Based on the quality of this year's event, it promises to provide another opportunity for meaningful exchange across the global CMS community. If you're based in North America, you can also join <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect in August</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff25">CMS Kickoff in January.</a> And finally, the conversation continues in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/groups/cms-experts/">CMS Expert Groups,</a> where <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/matt-garrepy">Chief Critic Matt Garrepy</a> is also an active community leader. This post represents my personal takeaways rather than a comprehensive report. I extend my gratitude to all speakers, demonstrators, and fellow attendees for two days of inspiring dialogue and discovery. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:33.07%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/05/contentcon25-logo-1747412490394.png" /><h4 id="contentstack-contentcon-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.contentstack.com/contentcon">Contentstack ContentCon 25</a></h4>June 3-5, 2025 – Chicago, USAThe future of digital is waiting for you! Contentstack presents ContentCon, the premier event for digital teams and industry leaders who are reimagining the future of digital experiences. Join us for two days of transformative presentations and workshops designed to help you put personalization and AI strategies into action. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://contentcon2025.site.zuddl.com/">Register today! </a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

'How did I not know this?’ CMS Summit 25 changed my understanding of AI

tom-cranstoun

<hr /> In French, sur la table rolls off the tongue like a light-bodied Beaujolais, beckoning for another pour. Translated to English, it means “on the table” – the place where we break bread and cultivate conversation. As such, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.surlatable.com/">Sur La Table</a> is a fitting name for a company that focuses on food and dining. The upscale retailer specializes in selling high-quality kitchenware, cookware, cutlery, bakeware, and other home goods. They even offer cooking classes and a popular blog with all kinds of food tips.For <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mokshika-sharma-profile/">Mokshika Sharma</a>, the company’s Vice President of Product and Technology, the latest dish on the menu is composability. As she shared during our discussion at “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/the-deep-dish-on-composable-6-tasty-takeaways-from-the-mach-alliances-2025-conference">The Composable Conference”</a> in Chicago, Sur La Table is already adopting a more modular posture across its stack, allowing Mokshika to expand and grow PE holding company <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cscgeneration.com/our-companies">CSC Generation’s</a> investment in the kitchenware retailer. “My job is really the full umbrella of anything that has electrons and supporting retail,” she said, laughing about the atomic reference. Her role also encompasses some big-ticket requirements like defining the e-commerce product vision, growth and revenue optimization, cost and operational enhancement, and more.The even bigger mandate: Supporting CSC Generation’s mission to help distressed brands and organizations climb out of their technical debt and achieve the next level of technical competency. CSC brings a platform of retail practices into automation and AI, supporting a portfolio that includes Backcountry, One Kings Lane, Touch of Modern, and more. Based in Austin, Texas, Mokshika is a passionate technologist with a heart for brand engineering. She's amassed a deep background in digital retail, an area where MACH principles have proven their potential. She also has the industry chops to back it up, serving as a CIO Council Member at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nrf.com/">National Retail Federation (NRF).</a>Retail has long been a sweet spot for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-launches-new-mach-ai-exchange-to-help-enterprises-streamline-ai-adoption">MACH Alliance,</a> which clearly attracted Mokshika to its message. As you'll glean from our conversation, she had some key takeaways from the conference that might set the table for future success.<h3 id="a-varietal-that’s-composable-forward">A varietal that’s composable forward</h3>Aligning with the session tracks at “The Composable Conference,” Mokshika admitted to being “MACH Curious” – and as a first-time attendee, that makes sense. But a few minutes into our conversation, it was evident that she’s more capable than curious – and the journey to the MACH Alliance community was a codifying moment.“It really helped me understand how the Alliance is supporting the initiatives we’re already doing in our organization,” she said. This maps to some of the existing best practices Sur La Table is already engaging in around headless and other resources. The conference, in her mind, was more relevant because it reinforced that momentum while providing access to a community that could help drive the next steps. <h3 id="legacy-recipes?-c’est-la-vie">Legacy recipes? C’est la vie</h3>“I think the dream of every technologist is, of course, to be composable 100%,” Mokshika said lightly, although she admitted this dream won’t likely be fully realized. But that’s not the point. In her view, it’s about creating and investing in reusable components – building blocks, so to speak – that can be leveraged well into the future.Of course, one of the roadblocks to composability is the reality of legacy systems. According to Mokshika, there are many legacy processes and tools in her line of work, and much of it is heavily siloed. Breaking it apart takes a lot of careful thought and consideration.“Sometimes it’s a composable answer,” she said. “And sometimes, you don’t need to build the rocket ship, and you can think about what the early starting point is to get to composable.”Mokshika also pointed out the realities of what she called “operational hazards.” These occur when you create a system that is inherently more complex, ultimately driving the need for more people and oversight. To that end, digital leaders and practitioners need to plan carefully as they dive into composable waters. “Now you have to support all these pieces,” she explained. “It’s a very thoughtful exercise you have to do in retail.”<h3 id="setting-the-table-for-success">Setting the table for success</h3>There were a number of ah-ha moments for Mokshika, but she really zeroed in on some key activators around the community collaboration, and where the MACH Alliance has focused its human expertise to support a successful knowledge transfer. “I think the big takeaway is how much people are actually pushing the boundaries of what companies are building for legacy brands to consider and take care of other people’s roadmaps,” Mokshika said. “They’re here, talking to you, asking for advice – and at the same table.”Being at a more focused event also resulted in more substantive conversations. “I’ve obviously been to a lot of retail conferences that are very large, and you don’t have this chance to do a one-on-one conversation as much as I was able to do here,” she commented, “and more so, I didn’t get to do it through a technical lens.”That last point was codified in sessions that featured slideshows with architectures, where Mokshika noted that people were taking pictures of the diagrams and schematics. “I guess the magic here is that they’re actually talking about how to think about your whole ecosystem, and not just the one thing that I’m trying to sell.”While still new to the community, Mokshika’s composable maturity might already be well ahead of the curve. But the point of the conference is to move people and brands to the next step – and that seemed to be the outcome in her case. “I wish I had come here earlier when first joining retail,” she says. “It would have been a great start of my journey.”Take five minutes and join Mokshika at the MACH table. C'est si bon. <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/d4IL8-XkSag"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4IL8-XkSag" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:30.46%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2024/11/cms-summit-25.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-summit-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">CMS Summit 25</a></h4>May 13-14, 2025 – Frankfurt, GermanyDon't miss the first European edition of our prestigious international conference dedicated to the global content management community! CMS Summit 25 will bring together top-notch speakers, our renowned learning format, and engaging social events. Hear from leading practitioners like Deutsche Bahn, Dr. Oetker, and more – and join customers, agencies, and CMS vendors as we discuss current trends and what's ahead for the content and digital experience fields. Connect and network at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference focused on CMS. Space is limited for this exclusive event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmssummit25">so book your seats today.</a> <img style="width:31.83%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/01/cms-connect-2025-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-connect-25"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">CMS Connect 25</a></h4>August 5-6, 2025 – Montreal, CanadaWe are delighted to present the second annual summer edition of our signature global conference dedicated to the content management community! CMS Connect will be held again in beautiful Montreal, Canada, and feature a unique blend of masterclasses, insightful talks, interactive discussions, impactful learning sessions, and authentic networking opportunities. Join vendors, agencies, and customers from across our industry as we engage and collaborate around the future of content management – and hear from the top thought leaders at the only vendor-neutral, in-person conference exclusively focused on CMS. Space is limited for this event, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmsconnect25">so book your seats today.</a>

MACHtales: Voices from “The Composable Conference” with Mokshika Sharma of Sur La Table

Hotjar - Spot what confuses

Spot what confuses your users with Hotjar & AI

Explore a wide range of informative articles on conference, insights, and industry updates. Stay informed and ahead of the curve with our diverse collection of news and posts covering the latest trends and developments in the industry

News

What's the future of CMS in the AI era?

Spot what confuses your users with Hotjar & AI