Welcome to the wild ride of organizing a CodeDay! Whether this is your first rodeo or you’re a seasoned hackathon planner, this guide will help you make your event not just memorable but legendary. Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. ✨ The Idea Factory: Where it all Begins ✨

Before anything else, sit down and dream big. CodeDay may happen all over the world, but your CodeDay is special because it’s a reflection of your team’s unique ideas.

• Brainstorm Session: Grab some friends, a notebook, and think outside the box. What do you want your CodeDay to look like? Will it have a theme? Special side-events? Crazy challenges?
• Research: Check out how other CodeDays have done it. Get inspiration, but make it your own! Here are some cool CodeDay socials to get started: [Link to CodeDay socials].

🔑 Pro Tip: Be unrealistic and idealistic at this stage—nothing is too wild.

Things I wanna add here eventually:

• A colorful mind map showing random ideas for an event.
• Brainstorm cloud of potential CodeDay themes or activities.

2. 🏢 The Venue Hunt: Finding the Perfect Spot 🏢

Once you’ve got your idea, the next step is locking down your venue. Without a space, there is no CodeDay. The goal is to get a venue for free or at a low cost because every dollar saved means cooler experiences for your participants.

• Venue Scouting: Think of places that might support the cause: tech companies, coworking spaces, schools, or universities.
• Pitch Like a Pro: When you approach potential venues, be a rockstar salesperson. Show them how awesome CodeDay is. Use stats, graphs, and success stories from other CodeDays. We’ve got templates and pitch materials for you!

🔑 Pro Tip: Always aim for the best deal. Remember, CodeDay is a non-profit, so spend the budget wisely.

Things I wanna add here eventually:

• A sample pitch email template for venue outreach.
• A comparison table of potential venues and their pros and cons.