Hosting

Hosting is simpler than you think. A host is the person who’s doing a thing and is easy to find when people show up. You don’t need to plan, entertain, pay for anything, or keep everyone happy.

Three ways to host

Tag-along. “I’m going to ___ on Saturday anyway. Come along.” This is the lowest effort: you were going regardless.

One-off. You pick something, a time, and a place, just once.

Series. The same thing on a regular schedule, like every other Sunday morning. This is how people end up seeing the same faces and becoming friends. If a one-off goes well, ask “again?” and you have a series.

Getting it on the calendar

Ask any organizer to make you the event host for your event on Meetup. Once you’re the host, you can edit or cancel the event yourself. After you’ve hosted a couple of times, you can get the event organizer role and post events directly, without asking anyone.

What to put in the event description

What, when, and where. Be exact. Say which table or which entrance, not just the name of the venue.
How to find you. For example, “I’ll have a NEW2ABQ sign” or “orange hat.”
Cost, if there is any, even if it’s just “buy your own food.”
What it’ll be like:
- Noise level
- How structured it is
- How active it is
- Whether it’s fine to arrive late or leave early
- Whether there are alcohol-free options
This matters more than it seems. It’s often what decides whether someone comes.
A cap on attendance, if the activity needs one.

At the event

Get there a few minutes early.
Say hi to anyone who arrives alone, and introduce them to someone.
At the end, ask “Want to do this again?”

You’re never obligated to

Host at your home
Give out your phone number or address
Pay for anyone
Keep hosting after you’ve stopped enjoying it. Hand it off, or let it end.