How can I organize an official GitHub event on my campus?

[SHIHAB69]

Hi everyone,

Over the past year, I’ve successfully hosted two “Introduction to Git and GitHub” (2024,2025) workshops at my university, where I introduced students to the basics of version control, collaboration, and using GitHub as a platform for project management. I’ve also actively organized events, hackathons, and technical workshops.

I’m eager to take this experience further by organizing an official GitHub event at my campus. Could anyone share the process for becoming a Campus Event Host or how to get started with hosting an official GitHub-sponsored event? Any guidance, tips, or best practices would be appreciated.

A little intro about myself: Sihab Howlader, an executive member of the Data Science Club and BASIS Student's Forum DIU Chapter, and a Research associate at the Data Science Lab in the Department of Software Engineering at Daffodil International University. My email is sihab2305341203@diu.edu.bd, and you can find me on LinkedIn.

Thanks for your help!

[phirojshah]

Hi Sihab!
It’s inspiring to see your passion for developer education and your track record with successful campus workshops. Organizing an official GitHub event is a fantastic next step, and you’re well-positioned to make it impactful. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

1. Understand GitHub’s Official Event Programs
   GitHub supports student-led events mainly through the GitHub Campus Experts program and by providing resources for events like hackathons, workshops, and meetups via GitHub Education.
   Becoming a Campus Expert is often the gateway to organizing official events with GitHub’s support, branding, and resources.

2. Become a GitHub Campus Expert
   Eligibility:

Must be a student (which you are).

Demonstrate leadership through organizing events or workshops (you already have this experience).

Steps:

Apply Online:
Visit GitHub Campus Experts and submit an application using your GitHub account and university email.

Training:
If selected, you’ll undergo online training focused on community leadership, technical writing, event planning, and public speaking.

Project Submission:
You’ll be asked to plan and execute a community project (like a tech workshop or hackathon) as part of the training.

Approval:
After successful training and project review, you’ll officially become a GitHub Campus Expert, eligible to organize and promote official GitHub events.

3. Plan Your Official GitHub Event
   Once you’re a Campus Expert, you can:

Apply for event support (swag, speaker resources, funding, and promotion).

Use GitHub’s branding and guidelines.

Collaborate with other experts and the broader GitHub Education team.

Best Practices for Event Organization:

Identify Audience Needs: Survey or talk to students about topics they’re most interested in (e.g., open source, advanced Git workflows, industry panels).

Secure Venue & Logistics: Book campus spaces early, set a date, and handle permissions if needed.

Build a Team: Involve club members or fellow students for marketing, logistics, and technical support.

Engage Speakers: Reach out to industry professionals or experienced faculty, or invite GitHub staff/community members.

Promote Widely: Use university channels, social media, and GitHub Education’s promotional tools.

Add Interactive Elements: Include live demos, Q&A sessions, hands-on activities, and networking opportunities.

Follow GitHub’s Event Guidelines: Ensure branding and content align with GitHub’s Community Guidelines.

4. Apply for Event Support
   Campus Experts: Use the GitHub Campus Experts dashboard to request event support, swag, or funding.

Other Programs: If not (yet) a Campus Expert, explore GitHub Education Event Support for potential partnerships, resources, or promotion.

5. After the Event
   Collect Feedback: Use forms or surveys to learn what worked and what to improve.

Share Results: Write a post-event summary with photos, outcomes, and testimonials. Tag GitHub Education for visibility.

Stay Engaged: Continue to nurture your campus tech community and consider organizing regular events.

Tips from Experience
Start planning at least 1–2 months in advance.

Document every step—this helps with future events and the Campus Expert application.

Collaborate with other clubs/departments for broader reach.

Be clear about your event’s goals (skill-building, networking, open source contributions, etc.).

Don’t hesitate to ask the GitHub Education Community for advice or co-hosting opportunities.

[SHIHAB69]

Thank You Phiroj

[jameswrightbrown-prog]

That’s a great initiative, especially since you already have experience running Git and GitHub workshops. Alongside GitHub’s official community resources, you could also use ( zayurikhevents ) as a useful option to plan and manage your event, especially for keeping the event details and organization in one place.