Whether it’s your first Meetup event or your hundredth, think about the experience you want to create.
Logistics
Make sure your ideal place helps achieve your goals. You want to consider everyone’s needs.
How many people are coming?
What kind of space do you need for your activities?
- Do you need room to dance? Do yoga?
Do you need any specific amenities?
- Internet access
- A/V equipment
- Secure storage space
Do any of your members need accommodations?
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Family restrooms
- Restrooms or space to change clothes
Atmosphere
Select a place where everyone will feel comfortable. Decide what atmosphere matches the goal of your event, and keep it in mind as you search for possible venues.
If you’re meeting in a business, connect with management to let them know you’re coming. Encourage your members to be supportive by buying a beverage or a snack.
What do you want your event to look like?
- A book club discussion in a quiet and casual cafe
- A facilitated discussion among entrepreneurs
- A lively happy hour during a baseball game
Resources
Yelp: Yelp is a quick way to find opinions about local spaces. Yelp reviews often contains venue details you might not see on a space’s website. You can quickly crowdsource data about whether a place takes credit cards, has ample parking, and if it’s considered good for groups overall.
Google Maps: You can use Google Maps to easily get a sense of the spaces in a local area. You can read user-created reviews, see what times a place is busiest, and see suggestions for other similar venues in the area.
Crowdsourcing: The members of your group are passionate about the same thing you are, so they likely already have some good ideas about where to go. Ask them to share their ideas — you may find someone with a connection to the perfect space.
Local community spaces: There are likely many community-oriented options available for minimal costs. If they match your desired atmosphere, try reserving time at one of these options.
- Libraries
- Community Centers
- Rehearsal studios