Building a community in tech has never been more powerful--or rewarding!--than it is in 2025. That said, it’s hard to get started when you don’t know where to start!

How do you reach out to potential speakers? Should your events be in person, online, or hybrid? How much time does it take to co-organize a user group? Is volunteering to organize an event or meetup truly worth the time investment? What happens if you organize an event and no one shows up? Can you really organize a conference with no budget?

After organizing the Power BI DC User Group together for more than two years, we’re happy to say that we have answers! This session is for anyone who has wanted to help create room for deeper connection in their local tech communities, but is looking for a better understanding of what it takes before they jump in. As always, we’ll also glean insights from our mentor and leader emeritus, Shannon Lindsey, for insights on how to set your own community group up for success.