A Guide to Starting Your Own Bitcoin Meetup
Lessons from starting the Bitcoin Manitoba Meetup
So, you’re thinking about starting a Bitcoin meetup in your area?
That’s awesome!
I launched one here in Manitoba in 2024, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned to help you get yours off the ground.
Whether you’re a seasoned Bitcoiner or just passionate about bringing people together to talk sats, this guide will walk you through the process—covering event ideas, setup, finding a venue, marketing, and some handy resources to make it happen.
Let’s dive in!
Why Start a Bitcoin Meetup?
Bitcoin is more than just a technology—it’s a movement. Meetups are a great way to build a local community, share knowledge, and spark curiosity.
Here in Manitoba, I wanted a space where people could connect, ask questions, and learn how Bitcoin could fit into their lives.
No matter where you are, a meetup can do the same for your community.
Here are some compelling reasons to consider launching one:
Education and Awareness
Bitcoin is still misunderstood by many. A meetup provides a platform to explain its fundamentals—how it works, why it’s decentralized, and its potential as a store of value or medium of exchange.
You can demystify concepts like wallets, private keys, and mining for newcomers, helping them avoid scams and bad practices.
Sharing knowledge in person builds trust and clarity in a way online forums sometimes can’t.
Community Building
Bitcoin’s strength lies in its network of users. A meetup creates a space for like-minded people—enthusiasts, developers, investors, or the curious—to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.
It’s a chance to form real-world relationships that can lead to projects, partnerships, or simply a stronger local Bitcoin ecosystem.
Humans thrive on connection, and face-to-face interaction can solidify commitment to the Bitcoin ethos.
Encouraging Adoption
By hosting discussions, workshops, or even live demos (like setting up a wallet or making a transaction), you can inspire people to actually use Bitcoin.
You could invite local businesses to learn about accepting Bitcoin as payment, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The more people see Bitcoin in action, the more likely they are to adopt it.
Countering Misinformation
Mainstream narratives often paint Bitcoin as a tool for criminals or a speculative bubble.
A meetup lets you address these misconceptions head-on, offering a grounded perspective backed by Bitcoin’s technical and economic realities.
You can highlight its censorship resistance, scarcity (21 million cap), and role as a hedge against inflation—things often glossed over in media.
Fun and Inspiration
Bitcoin meetups can be energizing.
Debating its future, sharing success stories (or cautionary tales), and geeking out over tech like the Lightning Network can be genuinely enjoyable.
You’ll meet people from diverse backgrounds—coders, economists, libertarians, artists—all drawn to Bitcoin for different reasons.
That mix sparks creativity and motivation.
Step 1: Brainstorm Event Ideas
The key to a successful meetup is keeping it engaging and relevant.
You can check out our past events here.
Here are some event ideas to get you started:
Bitcoin 101 Night: Perfect for beginners. Cover the basics—what Bitcoin is, how it works, and why it matters. Bring a laptop or tablet to demo setting up a wallet.
How to Self Custody: Show people how to self custody their Bitcoin with a hardware wallet like
Halving Party: Time it with the next Bitcoin halving (like the one I hosted in April 2024). Celebrate with food, drinks, and a live stream of related events—like the Great Canadian Halving Party.
Guest Speaker Session: Invite a local Bitcoiner, developer, or business owner using Bitcoin to share their story. Virtual speakers via Zoom work too! We had Saulo from SatsCapital come and do a presentation for us.
Sats Swap Market: Host a mini-market where attendees can buy/sell goods or services for Bitcoin (or cash as a bridge). It’s a fun way to practice using BTC in real life.
Node Workshop: Teach folks how to set up a Bitcoin node. Hands-on learning builds confidence and community tech skills.
Lightning Network Demo Night: Showcase the Lightning Network with live demonstrations. Set up small transactions (e.g., buying coffee or snacks using BTC via Lightning) to show its speed and scalability in action.
Mining 101 Session: Bring in a miner (or someone knowledgeable) to explain Bitcoin mining—hardware, energy costs, and profitability. If possible, demo a small mining rig for attendees to see.
Bitcoin Art Showcase: Invite artists to display Bitcoin-inspired artwork. Pair it with a discussion on how blockchain is transforming digital ownership and creativity.
Bitcoin Hackathon: Organize a mini-hackathon where developers collaborate on Bitcoin-related projects (e.g., building tools, apps, or smart contracts). Offer mentorship and small BTC rewards for top ideas.
Privacy & Security Roundtable: Dive into topics like coin mixing, privacy coins, and staying safe in the crypto space. Encourage attendees to share tips and tools they use to protect their funds.
Bitcoin Movie Night: Screen a documentary like “My Trust In You Is Broken” or “Banking on Bitcoin” or “The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin”, followed by a group discussion about its themes and relevance today.
Bitcoin Game Night: Play blockchain-inspired games or create a scavenger hunt with QR codes linking to tiny BTC rewards (using testnet if needed to keep costs low).
Start simple. My first Manitoba meetup was just a casual hangout with drinks and Bitcoin chatter—no pressure, just connection.
Step 2: Set It Up
Here’s how to turn your idea into reality:
Pick a Date and Time: Aim for consistency—say, the first Thursday of every month at 6 PM. Regularity helps people plan to attend. Check local calendars to avoid clashing with big events.
Keep It Simple: You don’t need a fancy agenda. A casual meet-and-greet works great to start. As you grow, add structure like a short talk or Q&A.
Gear Up: Bring a few essentials—paper QR codes for wallet apps, a laptop for demos, and maybe some Bitcoin stickers or flyers. If you’re tech-savvy, set up a Lightning Network node to show off instant payments.
Plan for All Levels: Some attendees will be newbies, others veterans. Make space for both—answer basic questions patiently and dive into deeper topics as needed.
Step 3: Find a Venue
The right spot can make or break your meetup. Here’s what worked for me in Manitoba:
Local Hangouts
I ionitially chose The Wood Tavern in Winnipeg because it’s relaxed, central, and has space for a group.
This year we moved to the Launch Coworking space which is a lot better. They sponsor our event and it’s a veryt cool vibe in this space.
You can look for a pub, café, or restaurant in your area that’s welcoming and affordable.
Public Spaces
Libraries or community centers are free and accessible. They’re great for educational events but might lack the social vibe of a bar.
Ask Around
Chat with local business owners. Some might offer a private room if you bring in customers. Bonus points if they’re Bitcoin-curious!
Test the Space
Check for Wi-Fi (for demos), seating, and noise levels. You want people to hear each other without shouting.
Start with a venue you can revisit. Consistency builds recognition—like “Oh, the Bitcoin crew’s at the tavern again!”
Step 4: Market Your Meetup
Getting the word out is crucial. Here’s how to attract a crowd:
Use Meetup.com: I set up the Bitcoin Manitoba Meetup Group on Meetup.com, and it’s been a game-changer. Create a profile, add your event details, and let it do the heavy lifting. It’s where people already look for local groups. We have added over 150 members in just one year.
Hit Social Media: Create a profile on X, Nostr and/or Facebook and other social media sites. Follow other meetups and enage with them to help you promote. Promote their events too. Create a Facebook page and create events to use the local events engine on Fcaebook. Share pics or quick updates to build buzz on your new page. I also joined local entrepreneur and fianance Facebook groups to spread the word.
Orange Pill App: Create a profile on Orange Pill App to find other local bitcoiners and create events on the app. This helped me find other local bitcoiners to join the group.
Word of Mouth: Tell friends, coworkers, or anyone curious about Bitcoin. Personal invites go a long way—my first attendees were people I knew who brought others.
Partner Up: Connect with other Canadian Bitcoin groups (like the Bitcoin Coalition of Canada) to cross-promote. They might share your event with their network.
Flyers or Posters: Print simple flyers or stickers with a QR code linking to your Meetup page or a group chat. Stick them up at cafés or tech hubs.
Pro tip: Emphasize that it’s Bitcoin-only (not crypto) to keep the focus clear and avoid confusion.
Step 5: Keep It Going
One meetup is a start, but a community takes time. Here’s how to sustain it:
Be Regular: Monthly or bi-monthly works well. Don’t burn out—start small and scale up as interest grows. We meet every second Monday.
Grow Together: Encourage others to co-host or lead a session. My Manitoba group is stronger because we share the load.
Celebrate Wins: Hit 10 attendees? Throw a mini-party. Small milestones keep the energy up.
Listen to Feedback: Ask attendees what they liked or want next. Maybe they’re keen on mining talks or a field trip to a BTC-friendly business.
I created this survey to learn all I could about what people wanted to learn.
Resources to Help You
Here are some tools and links to kickstart your meetup:
Meetup.com: Set up your group and manage events. Check out Bitcoin Manitoba Meetup Group for inspiration.
Bitcoin Coalition of Canada: Tips and support for Canadian meetups. Email them at admin@bitcoincoalition.ca or ping them on X.
Bitcoin.org: Free educational materials to share with newbies.
Nostr: A decentralized platform to connect with Bitcoiners and promote your events.
BTCPay Server: If you want to accept BTC donations or payments for meetup costs.
Bitcoin Meetups List: Find other meetups around the world to learn what they are doing.
I created some basic swag bags, printed some stickers I made using Canva and reached out to some Bitcoin companies and got some Bitcoin.Rocks stickers and some some swag from Bull Bitcoin too to give everyone something
Final Thoughts
Starting a Bitcoin meetup in Manitoba has been a blast—connecting with folks who get as excited about sats as I do is priceless.
It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to start.
Pick a date, find a spot, tell some people, and go for it. You’ll be amazed at how quickly a few curious souls turn into a thriving crew.
Got questions or want to bounce ideas?
Hit me up in the comments or find me on X or Nostr—I’d love to hear about your meetup journey.
Let’s keep spreading the Bitcoin love, one gathering at a time!