HackUTA Internal Organizer Guide
  • ℹ️Introduction
  • overview
    • Hackathon History 101
    • Organizer History
    • What is MLH?
    • MLH Hackcon
    • MLH Community Values
  • General Information
    • Hackathon Timeline
    • Finding the Date & Purpose
    • Build Your Leadership Team
    • Locking down a Venue
    • Hackathon Budgeting
      • Legal Considerations
    • Getting Sponsorship
      • Introduction to Fundraising
      • Understanding your Sponsors
        • Evaluating in-kind Sponsorship
      • Potential Sponsor Perks
      • Sponsorship Prospectus
      • The 5-step MLH Sponsorship Process
      • Emailing Your Sponsors Cheat Sheet
    • Hackathon Website
      • Placeholder Website
      • Main Website
    • Marketing your Event
      • Promoting your Event
        • Marketing Email Template
      • Marketing Goals & Timelines
    • Managing Registrations
      • Registrations
      • Sending Reminders
        • Email Templates
      • Check-in Process
    • Event Logistics
      • Hackathon Communication Platform
      • Project Challenges
      • Ordering Swags & Prizes
      • Setup your Event
      • Working with Food Vendors
      • Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions
      • Distributing Meals
      • Organize Transportation
      • Prepare Your Emergency Plan
    • Judging & Submissions
      • Rules for Your Hackathon
      • Judging Plan
      • Judges Communication and Recruiting
      • Hackathon Submission Portal
        • Using Devpost
    • Hackathon Scheduling
      • Detailed Run of Show
      • Run-Through with the Team
      • MLH Tips & Templates
    • Mentorship
    • Hacker Experience
      • Engaging your Hackers
      • Brainstorming Mini Events
      • Plan Engaging Workshops
      • Running Opening ceremony
      • Running Closing Ceremony
    • After The Event
  • Organizer Resources
    • Template Links
    • Getting support from others
    • Leadership Resources
    • Marketing Resources
    • Registrations Resources
      • GDPR in Europe
    • Host Exciting Mini-Events
      • Cup Stacking
      • MLH Mini Events
        • WereWolf
        • Slideshow Karaoke
        • !Light
        • MS Paint Bob Ross
    • Keeping Records
    • Software for Hackathons
  • Contributors
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  • Communication Platform
  • At a minimum include the following channels on your platform:
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  1. General Information
  2. Event Logistics

Hackathon Communication Platform

Software needed to keep an hackathon connected

PreviousEvent LogisticsNextProject Challenges

Last updated 1 year ago

Communication Platform

Pick a communication platform and ensure your hackers join it. Slack and Discord are two of the most popular. We recommend Discord for your event because of their free voice chat capabilities.

Before joining and once on the platform, make hackers know that their behavior and actions are still subject to MLH Code of Conduct, and to be respectful. Digital spaces can increase harassment as people are hidden behind a computer, so it is key to make sure your attendees know you still take this seriously.

At a minimum include the following channels on your platform:

  • Team-Formation: Channel for hackers to form teams

  • Ask-Organizers: Channel for hackers to ask organizers any questions that come up throughout the event.

  • Introductions: Channel for hackers to introduce themselves. Have your team set the norm for this by introducing yourselves.

  • Random: Channel for anything that isn't hackathon related.

  • Ask-Mentors: Channel for hackers to connect with mentors when they need help on their projects.

  • Mentors-Internal: Channel for mentors to talk with each other and with organizers.

  • Admin: Channel for your organizing team. We recommend creating an admin voice channel as well!

Here is an example from an event Discord!

  • Note that there are 2 "sponsor" channels here so that sponsors have a dedicated space to talk about their api's or workshops.