# Hackathon Timeline

### 4 to 9 Months Before

* ​[Finding the Date & Purpose​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/finding-the-date-and-purpose)
* [Building your Leadership Team](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/build-your-leadership-team)
* [Locking Down a Venue ](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/locking-down-a-venue)

### 4 months before

* ​[Setup a Placeholder Website](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website/placeholder-website)​
* [​Understanding Sponsorship​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/understanding-your-sponsors)
* [​Make your Hackathon Budget](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-budgeting)​
* [​Putting Together a Sponsorship Prospectus​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/sponsorship-prospectus)
* [​Start Sponsor Outreach​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/getting-sponsorship/the-5-step-mlh-sponsorship-process)

### ​​[Apply to become an MLH Member Event!](https://mlh.io/event-membership)​

### 3 months before

* ​[Start your Hackathon Outreach](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/marketing-your-event/promoting-your-event)
* ​[Make your main website live!​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-website/main-website)
* ​[Collecting Registrations for the Hackathon​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/registrations)
* ​[Start thinking about the experience of your hackathon​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience)
* ​[Start planning our your hackathon logistics​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics)

### 2 months before

* [​Draft up your Judging Plans](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/judging-plan)​
* ​[Draft up your Mentorship Plans​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/mentorship)
* [​Start booking your judges​/mentors](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/judges-communication-and-recruiting)
* ​[Start working with your vendors​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/working-with-food-vendors)
* ​[Start Brainstorming Mini Event​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/fun-mini-events)
* [​Plan Engaging Workshops](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/workshops)
* [Hackathon Software](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hackathon-communication-platform)

### 1 month before

* ​[Create a detailed Run of Show​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling/detailed-run-of-show)
* ​Get the Final Headcount​
* ​[Finalize your Food Requirements ](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/hosting-hackers-with-dietary-restrictions)
* ​[Organize Transportation ](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/transportation-or-travel-plans)

### 1 week before

* ​[Sending Reminders to the Participants](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/sending-reminders)​
* [​Set up your Event​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/set-up-your-event)
* [​Prepare your Emergency Plan](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/prepare-your-emergency-plan)
* ​[Do a schedule run-through with the team​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/hackathon-scheduling/run-through-with-the-team)
* ​[Judges & Mentor Followup​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions/judges-communication-and-recruiting)

### Game Day!

* ​[Check in Process​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/managing-registrations/check-in-process)
* ​[Distributing Meals](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/event-logistics/distributing-meals)
* ​[Running Judging​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/judging-and-submissions)
* [​Doing Mentorship​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/mentorship)
* [​Running Workshops](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/workshops)​
* ​[Opening & Closing Ceremonies​](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/day-of-logistics-and-hacker-experience/opening-ceremony)

### ​​[After the Event](https://guide.mlh.io/general-information/after-the-event)