Welcome to Meetup! You are now part of a global network that’s 55 million people strong. I am so glad you’re here.
The team at Meetup has been building community for a while now. 20 years ago, Meetup founder Scott Heiferman was living downtown in New York City. After the tragic events on September 11, 2001 occurred he and his neighbors came together to meet each other for the first time, unite, and offer support. Scott realized that there had to be a way to connect neighbors with one another outside of a tragedy. The idea for Meetup was born.
The concept was simple: by using the internet, people could log off the internet and connect in real life. Now, two decades later, Meetup exists in more than 190 countries. The platform hosts thousands of online and in-person events each day to connect people and foster community.
Since I joined Meetup in 2018 as CEO, I’ve learned that powerful things happen when people get together to pursue common interests. They find support, learn, grow, and make lasting connections. Though 61% of American adults report feelings of loneliness and isolation, the vast majority of people who attend Meetup events feel more connected to others, and even feel more confident.
Everyone who joins Meetup makes our community stronger. Whether you’re attending your first event, or even organizing your own group, you make the platform the powerful tool for connection that it is today. Thank you for joining the movement to bring people together.
Yours in community,
David Siegel
Mary Garcia (she/her) is Meetup’s Content Manager and editor of the Community Matters blog. When she’s not writing, Mary organizes a swamp fiction book club on Meetup. Find her on LinkedIn.
Last modified on September 22, 2023
