# General Information - [Hackathon Timeline](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-timeline.md): A typical timeline while planning a hackathon is listed below. Different articles will be sorted accordingly here for a better reference. - [Finding the Date and Purpose](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/finding-the-date-and-purpose.md): First things first, you'll need to decide when and why you want to host a hackathon. - [Build Your Leadership Team](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/build-your-leadership-team.md) - [Locking Down a Venue](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/locking-down-a-venue.md) - [Hackathon Budgeting](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-budgeting.md): Know the costs associated with your hackathon. - [Legal Considerations](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-budgeting/legal-considerations.md) - [Getting Sponsorship](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship.md): Now that you have your team finalized and have picked out a date, it's time to get started raising money for your event! - [Introduction to Fundraising](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/introduction-to-fundraising.md): Securing funds is a major cornerstone for any hackathon. This article aims to give you an idea of how and what sponsorship for a hackathon looks like. - [Understanding Your Sponsors](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/understanding-your-sponsors.md): Before setting your goals and starting to reach out to sponsors, it's extremely necessary to understand them and their perspective towards supporting hackathons. - [Evaluating In-kind Sponsorships](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/understanding-your-sponsors/evaluating-in-kind-sponsorships.md): In-kind sponsors are those who provide goods or services instead of money as a sponsor of your event. Learn how to evaluate them in this section! - [Potential Sponsor Perks](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/potential-sponsor-perks.md) - [Sponsorship Prospectus](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/sponsorship-prospectus.md): Before approaching sponsors, create a short informational packet with three tiers of sponsorship. - [The 5-Step MLH Sponsorship Process](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/the-5-step-mlh-sponsorship-process.md): Once you’ve assessed how much money your hackathon needs and created your sponsorship materials, you’re ready to embark on the fundraising process. - [Cheat Sheet: Emailing Your Sponsors](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/cheat-sheet-emailing-your-sponsors.md): We know that emailing sponsors can be difficult. Below is a guide to help craft your initial email. - [Hackathon Website](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website.md) - [Making an Accessible Design](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website/making-an-accessible-design.md): Things to consider when choosing your designs - [Placeholder Website](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website/placeholder-website.md): The first iteration of your Hackathon website - [Main Website](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website/main-website.md): Your hackathon's face to the external world! - [Marketing Your Event](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/marketing-your-event.md) - [Promoting Your Event](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/marketing-your-event/promoting-your-event.md): Learn about marketing! - [Marketing Email Template](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/marketing-your-event/promoting-your-event/marketing-email-template.md): An email example to share far and wide - [Marketing Goals & Timelines](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/marketing-your-event/marketing-goals-and-timelines.md): Planning the target attendee goals and timelines of registrations - [Managing Registrations](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations.md) - [Registrations](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/registrations.md): Registering your hackers' interest in the event! - [Free Registration Tool - OrganizerHQ (OHQ)](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/free-registration-tool-organizerhq-ohq.md): If you are partnering with MLH you can use OHQ for registrations for your event. - [Sending Reminders](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/sending-reminders.md): After capturing the interest of everyone, the next step is to followup, reminding them about the hackathon! - [Email Templates](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/sending-reminders/email-templates.md): Example email templates to use to send reminders to hackers, volunteers, judges, etc. - [Check-in Process](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/check-in-process.md): Collecting the day-of information - [Event Logistics](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics.md) - [Hackathon Communication Platform](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hackathon-communication-platform.md): Software needed to keep an hackathon connected - [Hackathon Themes](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hackathon-themes.md) - [Project Challenges](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/project-challenges.md): Ideas and descriptions for different tracks - [Ordering Swag and Prizes](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/ordering-swag-and-prizes.md): Adding a physical touch to your events! - [Set Up Your Event](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/set-up-your-event.md): Before the day arrives it is important to have the setup ready and good to be used by the hackers. - [Working with Food Vendors](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/working-with-food-vendors.md) - [Hosting Hackers with Dietary Restrictions](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hosting-hackers-with-dietary-restrictions.md) - [Distributing Meals](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/distributing-meals.md) - [Transportation/Travel Plans](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/transportation-or-travel-plans.md) - [Hardware](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hardware.md) - [Prepare Your Emergency Plan](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/prepare-your-emergency-plan.md) - [Judging and Submissions](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions.md) - [Rules for Your Hackathon](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/rules-for-your-hackathon.md): Being extra clear ahead of time can prevent headaches down the road - [Judging Plan](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/judging-plan.md): Check out our example template at https://hackp.ac/judgingexample - Email league@mlh.io if you need any help! - [Cheating Check](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/cheating-check.md): Things to keep an eye out for - [Judges Communication and Recruiting](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/judges-communication-and-recruiting.md): You’ll need to recruit a variety of individuals to judge your hackathon. - [Hackathon Submission Portal](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/hackathon-submission-portal.md) - [Using Devpost](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/hackathon-submission-portal/using-devpost.md) - [Using Devfolio](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/hackathon-submission-portal/using-devfolio.md) - [Hackathon Scheduling](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling.md): Some key points at different points of your event - [Detailed Run of Show](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling/detailed-run-of-show.md) - [Run-Through with the Team](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling/run-through-with-the-team.md) - [MLH Tips and Templates](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling/mlh-tips-and-templates.md) - [Mentorship](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/mentorship.md) - [Day of Logistics and Hacker Experience](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience.md): It’s easy for hackers to get distracted and disengaged from the event. Creating periodic activities for hackers to engage with during your event is essential. - [Help Desk Recommendations](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/help-desk-recommendations.md) - [Fun Mini Events](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/fun-mini-events.md): Time to start planning how you’re going to make your event fun for hackers. We’ve brainstormed some fun activities you can do. - [Workshops](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/workshops.md) - [Opening Ceremony](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/opening-ceremony.md) - [Closing Ceremony](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/closing-ceremony.md) - [After the Event](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/after-the-event.md) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.mlh.io/general-information.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. 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