All you need to know about hosting a #play14 event

How to become a #play14 event host?

The first rule to become a #play14 host is that you must have participated in at least one #play14 event. This experience allows you to gain insight into our community and understand the mindset we aim to cultivate at #play14. We strongly believe that only by experiencing #play14 can you reproduce this wonderful and playful experience.

The second rule to become a #play14 host is that you need to find a mentor, to help and guide you for your first time.

As a host, you’ll be responsible for upholding the spirit of the original event and ensuring a memorable experience for your attendees.

Finding a mentor

Mentors are members of the #play14 community who have experience in organizing #play14 events and therefore are able to help other people do it.

In order to find a mentor, you can contact the group of mentors and someone should respond. You can also identify the mentors on the players list by filtering on the mentor role.

Your responsibilities as a host

As a host, your primary responsibilities include:

- Securing a venue
- Selecting a date
- Providing food and beverages
- Gathering game materials
- Bringing a positive attitude

The rest is in the hands of the players!

We recommend forming a team of at least three local organizers to make hosting manageable, particularly for venue selection.

Choosing the right venue

When selecting a venue, ensure it can accommodate 30 to 70 participants, depending on your expected turnout. Ideally, venues should have a unique charm or character.

Key venue requirements include:

  • Common Area
    • Space for icebreakers and group activities
    • Marketplace displayed visibly on the wall
  • Food Corner
    • Access to snacks and meals
    • Drinks available throughout the event
  • Gaming Areas
    • At least three separate zones equipped with tables and chairs
    • A whiteboard or flip chart in each area
    • Ample space for participants to move around the tables

The capacity of your venue will dictate how many attendees you can accommodate.

Planning materials and supplies

Here’s a basic list of items you should consider to organize a successful #play14 event:

  • Tables and chairs (to be provided by the venue)
  • Whiteboards and flip charts
  • Plenty of sticky notes
    • XL stickies for the marketplace
    • Square (yellow & colors)
    • Long (yellow & colors)
  • Markers
    • At least one Sharpie for each player
    • Paperboard markers
    • Whiteboard markers
  • A large paper roll for the marketplace
  • Masking tape
  • Tape, scissors, and measuring tape
  • Various paper types (plain and colored)
  • Game materials
    • Plastic play balls
    • Poker chips
    • Card decks
    • Happy Salmon
    • Any other games you think might be fun

Food and drinks

To maintain high energy levels throughout the event, it's essential to provide meals and beverages, which fall under your hosting duties.

Meals

Typically, we provide two lunches and two dinners.

  • First Dinner: A festive welcome dinner, usually catered.
  • First Lunch: A light yet substantial lunch to sustain participants through the afternoon.
  • Second Dinner: Casual pizza and beer.
  • Second Lunch: Another light lunch, varying from the previous day’s meal.

Ensuring a diverse menu is crucial, especially considering dietary restrictions like vegan and gluten-free options.

Drinks

Always have a supply of hot beverages and refreshments available at any time. Options typically include:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Water
  • Soft drinks (Coke, orange juice)
  • Alcohol (beer, wine), depending on your preference as the host.

Snacks

Offer snacks throughout the day for additional energy

  • Pastries for breakfast
  • Fresh fruit
  • Cereal and chocolate bars

Support from the #play14 global organization

The #play14 global organization will provide you with shared resources, and co-founders/mentors will assist you in hosting your event, so you won’t be alone in this journey. We maintain a Slack channel and a WhatsApp Community for communication among local organizers and offer video conferencing for additional support.

At least one co-founder/mentor will attend your event to help with organization and ensure the essence of #play14 is honored.
 

Website and registration

You will be able to create a dedicated page for your event on the #play14 website, detailing the location, dates, and registration. For that, you will need to request access to the the CMS backend that powers the website. You can request that from the founders.

We can manage ticketing and financial aspects with the ticketing system and bank account of the central organization, however you are welcome to use your own registration system if you prefer.

Marketing and communication

We have several communication and marketing tools at your disposal, including:

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Google
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Newsletter (Mailchimp)

While you will primarily handle promoting your event and encouraging registration, feel free to reach out for assistance from co-founders or access the available tools and services.

Merchandising and welcome kit

Each participant receives a #play14 t-shirt, which has become part of our brand identity. Ideally, the t-shirts should be:

  • Printed locally
  • Black in color which makes the logo visible
  • Made from organic cotton

Additional welcome kit items may include:

  • #play14 stickers
  • LEGO Serious Play kits
  • Sticky notes
  • Sharpie markers
  • Story cubes
  • Venue or sponsor merchandise

Budget and revenue

We aim to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible to maximize participation. Most expenses go toward food and drinks, welcome kits, materials, and venue costs (if applicable).

Tickets

Ticket sales are the primary funding source for #play14 events. Prices may vary based on location and local organizer decisions. Some organizers successfully secure free venues, reducing financial pressure, while others may need to increase ticket prices if they pay for the venue.

You can also consider varied ticket types, such as all-event passes, daily tickets, or tiered pricing (early bird, normal, late).

Sponsors

Finding sponsors can greatly enhance your event. Sponsorship can include monetary contributions, free venues, food, drinks, or materials. It’s your responsibility as a local host to seek sponsors.

Mentor participation

We encourage the presence of at least one #play14 mentor at each new event to provide support and ensure everything runs smoothly. A portion of your budget should be allocated for the mentor’s travel and accommodation expenses. Choosing a mentor who lives nearby can reduce travel costs and improve communication.

Profit and loss

#play14 is and always will be a non-profit. #play14 operates as a non-profit organization based in Luxembourg that supports some European events, but you are free to decide how to manage the finances locally.

Any profit from your event should be:

  • reinvested into future events
  • contributed back to the global organization to support others
  • or used to purchase games and materials.

Conversely, should you incur financial losses, the #play14 global organization will assist you. Typically, events break even, and we've enjoyed stability without major financial issues.

Trust is fundamental to #play14, so we expect transparency regarding all financial dealings. The CMS backend of the website contains a section where you will have to provide financial details about your events.

Sustainability?

As a host, you have the opportunity to make your event environmentally friendly. We recommend:

  • Using reusable glasses and tableware instead of single-use plastics
  • Sorting waste appropriately
  • Selecting eco-label products for supplies and stationery

Some teams even opt to make their events carbon-neutral by offsetting the carbon footprint.

 

 

By following these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to hosting a successful #play14 event!