Lesson #10: Community Party Events

Let’s talk Community Parties

Here's a tweet from Cape Town in 2017 with 1000 people at the event

Here's a tweet from Cape Town in 2016 with 600 people at the event (we did a standard fireside chat):

Community Parties are an excellent way to broaden your reach in the community and reach out to more people.  The event feels more social and like less of a time commitment, so we often see a surge in attendees.  This is a nice boost to your mailing list and helps support your other events throughout the year.

When to Host

Parties are designed to fill what would have otherwise been your slowest months - likely December + either June, July or August.  Different parts of the world are experiencing mid summer or winter at these times and that combined with the holidays would often mean your attendees are distracted from their regular routine.  Hosting a big community party where they can simply pop in works very well on those months.

Party Format

The format often simply feels like a big happy hour.  As an organizer you can keep it as simple as arranging a location where everyone can show up (perhaps you can negotiate special pricing on drinks, for example) to an all out hosted party with a DJ and other fun activities (like a toy drive around the holidays or some form of lawn games in the summer).  The key is simply to keep it very social.  While you can still host some sort of fireside chat at the event, know that even something with no agenda at all will be very successful as a party.

---Check out this video for lots of Party event tips n tricks---

Ticketing a Party

We always aim to have parties be free, or as low cost as possible.  This may mean more work on your end to get sponsors.  Or, as mentioned, you can keep it very simply and almost zero cost by partnering with a venue and letting attendees buy their own drinks.  It is often helpful to create and share a Facebook event to promote the party, but still encourage people to visit your chapter page to RSVP for the event.  You are also welcome to partner with other organizations for a bigger party, but always do be sure the ticketing goes through your chapter site.

Party Magic

A SG community party can really become the central event of your startup community.  The end of the year party becomes that occasion where all the hardworking startup founders come together to celebrate their year of hard work and milestones.  Many large corporations host some form of holiday party and summer party.  Startups don’t typically have the resources to do that, so the SG community party becomes that for them.  Encourage them to bring their entire team!  Then your event is truly a celebration for the entire startup community in your city.

Next Lesson - Global Community