Ask HN: Have you ever started a coding-related Meetup? What was your experience?

1 points by good_vibes 8 years ago | 3 comments

Thinking about starting one in my area focused on React. My goals: to learn more about React, to network with like-minded people, to grow socially and professionally. I've never done this before and am curious to learn from the community's experience before creating the first meeting.

Thanks.

im_down_w_otp 8 years ago |

Yes, I started (and consistently paid for out of pocket) an Elixir meetup that was focused on a shape of pair-programming for the attendees. Unfortunately, I haven't hosted in a few months. Since starting it I've become both a father and a CTO, and that has created limited amount of time to dedicate to other things. It probably doesn't help that I no longer have a reason to use Erlang or Elixir professionally for time being.

I can say that I very, very much enjoy hosting the meetup. I've even met a few people in that context who I became friends with and/or later hired when I had the chance.

I would do it again in a heartbeat, and answering your "Ask HN" post I think has given me reason to figure out how I can start consistently hosting it again.

good_vibes 8 years ago | |

thanks. I think I'd grow a lot from the experience as well. I should go through with it.

What were your initial expenses?

im_down_w_otp 8 years ago | | |

Yearly meetup.com fees + ~$100 per session for artisan pizza & beer.