MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

ABSTRACT: Hackathons provide a venue for self-expression and creativity through technology. People with technical backgrounds come together, form teams around a problem or idea, and collaboratively code a unique solution from scratch — these generally take shape in the form of websites, mobile apps, and robots. Major hackathons, Bitcamp and Technica, at the University of Maryland brings in around 1,100 and 800 hackers every year. Organizing a hackathon for that much people is extremely difficult and taxing. Usually, it requires a team of extremely dedicated individuals and several months of planning. There are several different planning teams that are necessary, such as logistics, design, travel, etc. One of the crucial teams, sponsorship, makes it possible for the hackathon to happen. The sponsorship team is tasked with attracting sponsors and securing funds. Since new inexperienced organizers join the team every year, this guide is aimed to give you all the information regarding the sponsorship team.

WC: 152

READER’S PROFILE: I image a reader excited to host their own hackathon but also worried. Sponsorship is an important role. If the reader does not get enough sponsors, the hackathon might not even happen.

READER’S RESPONSE: The reader will be well-informed about the whole sponsorship process. They will not be worried anymore because there are so many companies out there and they are bound to land at least some of them. Even if companies reject them or turn them down, the reader will continue to push on and find new sponsors. The reader will have a positive outlook and understand that sponsorship is not as hard as it seems.

R, I like that your reader is one that will be encouraged about this process seeing the guide as a support to the task.

Do you have an ABT statement in this nicely down abstract?

I think a timeline and task chart would be helpful. Bet there is an app for this! Often called Gant charts, in the olden days.

Also, can you use GOFUNDME, for students who might want to through in small amounts and perhaps earn an invitation to a party or say, Terp-themed stickers? Just a thought. I would through in some money for this and perhaps others on campus might do this, too.