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2+title = "Hosting a Meetup"
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5+There are already [a few](urbit.org/meetups) Urbit meetups that take place in cities around the United States. Want to start a meetup in your home town? Consider these best practices.
6+
7+### Create the Meetup Group Online
8+
9+The most straightforward way to start a meetup group online, like on [meetup.com](www.meetup.com). Services like this offer messaging, calendaring, payments, discussion boards, and basic group profiles.
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11+There are other options available but, regardless of what you choose, there should be a public place on the web for people to access the group.
12+
13+Group suggestions:
14+
15+- Meetup.com
16+- Google groups
17+- Dedicated Website
18+
19+### Spread the word
20+
21+It’s not much fun if people don’t actually show up, so it’s important to get the word out. Use your existing network to tell people about your event. Remember it takes time to build a community, so don’t be discouraged if only a few people show up at your first event. Also, be sure to email [support@urbit.org](mailto:support@urbit.org), and we'll promote your meetup.
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23+Outreach methods:
24+
25+- Post to social media
26+- Email your friends
27+- Put up signs
28+
29+### Format
30+
31+Meetups are about sharing ideas and meeting like-minded people. There are a few formats that can help achieve this goal. As the organizer, take the lead and prepare ahead of time. Think of some topics for the group to discuss, and try to ensure that the conversation isn’t dominated by one or two people.
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33+Presentations are a great way to share ideas. If you have a speaker for your event, coordinate ahead of time and make sure they have everything they will need to make a great presentation and ask them to arrive early to the event.
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35+If you have a speaker, be sure to record the talk so that it can be posted online. There are plenty of people who would appreciate such content.
36+
37+Format considerations:
38+
39+- Guided group discussion
40+- Presentation
41+
42+### Venue
43+
44+Your meeting location can determine the success of your event. Consider how your members might get to the venue. Ideally, you’d want to be away from congested areas and find locations with good parking and transit options nearby. However, this isn’t always possible, so just do your best to accommodate. It’s also a good idea to locate the event near bars or restaurants so people can continue the conversation after the event officially ends.
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46+Location considerations:
47+
48+- Easily reachable
49+- Consider parking and distance to transit
50+- Check out public libraries
51+- Coworking spaces
52+- [peerspace.com](www.peerspace.com)
53+
54+### Date and time
55+
56+Most people are able to attend meetups after work on weekdays. This isn’t true for everyone but it’s a good rule of thumb. It’s also a good idea to avoid holidays and days when there are large sporting events happening.
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58+Date considerations:
59+
60+- Weekdays
61+- Between 6pm and 8pm
62+- Avoid holidays and weekends
63+
64+### Stay consistent
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66+Like anything worth doing, meetups take time, patience, and consistency. Come prepared to engage with people and have a good time. The more often you can meet the stronger the community can become, so schedule meetups regularly.
67+
68+### Bonus
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70+Here are a few tips and tricks to consider with hosting a meetup. You don’t have to have all these things at your first meeting, but try adding them in as you go.
71+
72+- Names tags
73+- Door signs
74+- Projector
75+- Extension cords and power strips
76+- Video camera
77+- Lapel microphone
78+- Bring your own internet