The Official Meetup HQ Blog

Cheering from Behind Enemy Lines

by Adam

Rooting for your favorite team while in "enemy territory" can be a painful and discouraging experience.

The taunts when they see you wearing your team's jersey, the jokes when one of your players makes an error, the relentless teasing endured if your team loses... It's enough to make anyone think twice about displaying his or her team spirit in unfriendly confines.

So, what's a fan to do if watching the game at home isn't an option?  The solution lies in this old adage: there's strength in numbers.  And that's exactly what the members of the Boston-Area New York Yankees Fan Meetup have discovered!

You can check out a little bit more about their story on NESN.com, or watch the video below to learn more about the 'Yankee Underground'.

As a member of the NYC Pittsburgh Penguins Meetup, I can attest to the fact that there is, indeed, strength in numbers when it comes to cheering on your favorite team in enemy territory.  And, hey, it sure beats watching the game at home!

If this sounds familiar to you, head to Meetup and search for a Group in your area!  Or rally the troops by starting a Group of your own! 

Adam is on Meetup's Community Support team and helps Meetup members navigate the site in English and en français.  He is also a rabid Pittsburgh Penguins fan.

| More

At the White House!

by Scott

Hello Meetup Organizers!

Gotta share this inspiring Meetup news -- I was invited to visit the White House and met President Obama a few days ago.

Maybe you'll be inspired hearing what it was about...

Not all Meetup Organizers are fans of President Obama, and that's OK. The President gave a speech about the importance of "community solutions" --- and I was invited to be there because so many of your Meetups are examples of people coming together to solve problems -- big and small.

Here's a 2-minute (sort of covert) video I made for you while I was there!

The President said "the best solutions don't come from the top-down... Solutions to America's challenges are being developed every day at the grassroots." And when he said that, I thought of you -- almost 50,000 Meetup Organizers, with millions of people in your Meetup Groups -- creating real communities and solving real problems in people's lives.

Sometimes it's hard being a Meetup Organizer. But it's worth it when you think of the enormous potential of your Meetups -- and the Meetup Groups yet to be started. What's possible for the future of your Meetup?

Need inspiration? Check out some of the Meetups listed at http://communitybuilders.meetup.com.

(PS. -- If you use Twitter, follow @Meetup!)

Scott is Chief Organizer and Co-Founder of Meetup.

| More

Vancouver Video Makers: Lights, Camera, Action!

by Camila

Check this out: we ran across this video put together by Noel and Joseph of the Vancouver Video Makers Meetup Group. 

They captured lots of cool images of Meetups in Vancouver, and then put them together at a Meetup. Take a look at their awesome video!

You'll be able to see how much fun Meetup members are having while they bowl, play Tag it!, have brunch, and go hiking.

Way to go!

Camila is a Meetup Support Specialist.

| More

Great Construction Meetup in Vancouver

by Tegan

We found this great video recap of yesterday's Vancouver Construction Meetup Group on Youtube via Twitter. (How's that for internet-interconnectedness?)

The Organizer Marc does a great introduction of what their Meetup Group is all about and it's history. The Group started just this February, and it's got 92 members!

The video includes a few minutes from the Meetup's Q & A session with Vancouver City Councilor Raymond Louie, including a question from Vancouver's construction community about progress on the 2010 Olympics structures. (Remember, Vancouver's hosting the Winter Olympics less than a year from now.)

My favorite part? In the beginning, Marc points out one of the benefits of joining the Meetup:

I think one of the best things you'll find is that everybody needs something from one another.

Sounds like the Vancouver Construction Meetup Group has hit the nail on the head.

Tegan is on the Community Support team at Meetup.

| More

NYC Dads Meetup on the Today Show!

by Tegan

We were pleased as punch to see the New York City (NYC) Dads Meetup Group on the Today show this morning!

Did you miss it? You can watch it here:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

You'll catch Lance and the NYC Dads as they Meetup in Central Park at around the 2 minute mark.

Do these folks look familiar?

Well, that's because this is actually their second appearance on the Today Show. Or maybe you caught up with the NYC Dads Meetup when they were on Fox News. Either way, we're excited.

Father's Day is coming up, so now's an excellent time to recognize how great these Meetup Dads are.

Congrats, as always!

Tegan is on the Community Support team at Meetup.

| More

The NY Tech Meetup rocks Internet Week!

by Adam

The New York Tech Meetup is one of the oldest and most successful Meetup Groups out there. Since its creation, it has been a major player in New York's rising tech industry.

So it's no surprise that Organizer Nate Westheimer and the NY Tech Meetup held a major Meetup during this year's Internet Week New York.

With a cool 775 attendees, the June Tech Meetup was the largest public event throughout the week.  They demonstrated new and innovative products created by seven Internet companies based right here in New York City.

Did you miss it? Check out this video:

Way to make waves, guys!

Adam is on the Community Support team at Meetup.

| More

On the search for the city's best margarita!

by Adam

I like the Las Vegas Margarita Society for three main reasons:

1. Like all the best Meetup Groups, these guys have a strong purpose: to find the best margarita in the city of Las Vegas, which I'm sure is an incredible undertaking!

2. They collect all sorts of charity items, like toys and clothes, and really make an impact in their community.

3. They make AWESOME videos, like this one here:

Adam is on Meetup's Community Support team.

| More

Adaam shows us all up.

You might have seen our blog post about the CNN article on Meetup's unorthodox structure. We definitely keep things interesting around here, and Adaam recently contributed to our daily dose of inspiration and fun.

Our CFO Brendan posed a challenge for someone to eat a chocolate grasshopper.  Adaam stepped up to the plate without hesitation and our faithful Office Assistant Ginamarie recorded the momentous feat. 

Watch the video all the way to the end to find out what a chocolate grasshopper really tastes like!  And see if you can spot Camille and Erin in the background!  :)

How neat is this?!

by Kate

Meetup HQ received a really cool email containing an even cooler surprise.

 

ChannelFlip -- "the UK’s finest video magazine for switched-on men" -- raved about Meetup on one of their recent daily video posts!  Iyaz Akhtar of ChannelFlip got in touch with us to let us know.

 

Flash Player is required

Thanks so much for passing this on, Iyaz!  We love the tagline you guys used for Meetup: Get out of the house!

Do YOU have content you want to share with the world?  Let us know!

Kate is on Meetup's Community Support team.

| More

3 Ways Your Meetups Save People Money

by Scott

Hello Meetup Organizers!

I love browsing Meetups. I spend hours each week seeing some of the amazing things you're doing... so I can share with everyone what's working.

What's working right now for plenty of Meetups is helping members get through the tough economy.

So, I made a quick video of 3 ways we see Meetups helping people save money.

This video won't win an Oscar, but may give you ideas to make your Meetup Group stronger... during a time when people may need your Meetups more than ever!

Keep sharing your ideas & stories, and keep organizing!

Scott is Chief Organizer and Co-Founder of Meetup.

| More