How to throw a hackathon.

A presentation at Hackcon III in July 2016 in San Francisco, CA, USA by Shy Ruparel

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How to Throw A Hackathon @ShyRuparel NYCWiC | April 8th 2016

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Github.com/Shy/talks

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Shy @SHyrUparel Deputy Commissioner Major League Hacking

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POWERED BY

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WHAT is a Hackathon?

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Hackathon = Invention + Marathon The word hackathon is a portmanteau of the words hack and marathon, where hack is used in the sense of playful, exploratory programming, not its alternate meaning as a reference to computer crime. — Wikipedia

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FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Students arrive by bus, train, They spend the next 24-36 Students demo projects and plane. They pitch ideas hours intensely focused on science-fair style. The top and form teams organically building and designing their hacks demo on stage in front and get straight to work on hack projects. There are breaks of the audience and a panel of bringing their ideas to life. for meals and fun mini-events. judges to determine a winner.

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expert mentors

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I wish I could have attended hackathons as a student. As a mentor, I'm glad I can help the next generation of programmers discover their passions, learn new skills, try out concepts they have learned in class, and build real applications that real people can interact with. — John Britton (GitHub Education Lead)

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Science-Fair style expos

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WHAT Does a Hackathon Look Like?

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how popular are hackathons?

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Extremely and still growing

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2015

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200+ Major League Hacking Member Events in 2016

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80,000 Students just like you.

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10,000+ IDEAS BROUGHT TO LIFE

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The sponsors The world’s top brands participate as sponsors at our hackathons. Many sponsors send mentors and recruiters.

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Why Should you Organize A Hackathon?

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skills organizers learn Student organizers gain experience planning a large scale event and collaborating with many stakeholders. managing and participating on a team managing finances interacting with corporations on a professional level fundraising event planning and logistics marketing

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How to Throw A Hackathon @ShyRuparel NYCWiC | April 8th 2016

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Let’s talk about... Hackathon Planning

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Organizing a Hackathon is not Easy

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POWERED BY

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how long does it take to plan a hackathon?

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Most Hackathons are planned in 4-9 Months

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Finding a Venue

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Types of Hacker Spaces

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large room

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Smaller Rooms

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Wifi

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4 devices per attendee

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Power

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2.5 Outlets Per Hacker

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Tables

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Audio/Visual

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Cost

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Finalize Your Team

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Establish a Brand

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Start working on Sponsorship

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Sponsorship is Hard

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Start your Promotion

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Line Up Prizes

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Find Mentors, Judges, and Volunteers

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Source your Workshops

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Pros/Cons

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Pros/Cons

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Pros/Cons

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Launch Registration

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Establish a Headcount

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Lets talk about Attrition

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Schedule Transport

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Order Swag

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Order Food

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Catering vs. Local Restaurants

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Release a Schedule

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Planning for an Emergency

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Send Reminders

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Over-communicate

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Prepare your Volunteers

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Buy Snacks

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Create a Run of Show

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Run of Show

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Plan to Sleep

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Event Setup

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Establish Registration

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Welcome and check in attendees

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Welcome Sponsors

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Put out Food

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Do a Tech Check

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Double Check Power & Wifi

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Set the Tone

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Welcome

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API Demos

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Team Formation

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Maintain Energy

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Be Visible

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Hungry Hackers

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Stop and look around

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Project Submissions

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POWERED BY

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Presentations or Expo?

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Presentation Style

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Expo Style

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POWERED BY

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Stack Ranking

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Respect Participants Time

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Tech Check and Practise

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Thank Everyone

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Timeline 4-9 Months Out 4 Months Out 2 Months Out 1 Month Out 1 Week Out Pre Hackathon Opening Cermonies During Hacking Judging Event Closing Post Event

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Sleep

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Follow Up

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Settle the Books

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Success Stories

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LETS DO this AGAIN!

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Guide.mlh.io

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Github.com/Shy/talks