Chapter Proposal

Quick Links:
Chapter Start-Up Guide

IGDA Chapters connect game developers in local communities around the world. Regularly scheduled chapter meetings allow professional game developers to interact with peers on a local level.

Overview

Before submitting a chapter proposal, we encourage applicants to assess their local game development community, which their chapter would serve. IGDA chapters foster community in cities where there is industry presence (ie, cities where healthy numbers of professional game developers, game studios, and game-related companies are accessible).

While chapter success is due, in part, to organization and outreach, it's also based on available industry resources in your area. Without professional game developers, studios, and companies to tap into (for chapter audience, presentations, sponsorships, and other contributions), your chapter will not survive.

Consider the following expectations of chapters and chapter coordinators:

Chapters meet approximately 4-7 times per year (at least once per season) to provide a focal point for the local game development community.
Chapter coordinators select venue, recruit speakers, and promote meetings, with assistance from chapter organizing committee and the IGDA.
Coordinators disseminate key IGDA announcements and member information to the chapter.
IGDA chapters serve local game developers as their core audience, and work to keep both audience and meeting content centered on industry professionals. Student groups should check out the info on IGDA recognized Student Game Development Clubs.
Coordinators post a summary of each meeting on their chapter website, and promote these meetings on the IGDA website and monthly newsletter.
IGDA membership is not required to attend chapter gatherings, but chapter coordinators should encourage attendees to join the IGDA.
Coordinators should be professionals at game development studios or at related industry companies.
After submitting a proposal, chapter coordinators may be required to supply a list of ten interested professional developers from more than one company.

The IGDA provides basic support to chapters and chapter coordinators:

Dedicated web space for a chapter web site.
Web Team volunteer to design, build, and maintain chapter website (if needed).
Chapter discussion forum for communicating with the global network of IGDA chapters
Assistance in recruiting local developers for chapter meetings
Assistance in arranging speakers
Chapter visibility on IGDA website and monthly newsletter (reaching 90,000+ game professionals around the world)
One-time stipend for first chapter meeting (Start-Up chapters only)

Note: IGDA chapters serve professional game developers. We will launch a separate student chapter program soon.

Please read the IGDA Chapter Start-Up Guide in its entirety before proposing a chapter. Contact us if you have any other questions, comments, input, or concerns. Or, dive into the "Start a chapter!" forum to discuss chapter opportunities with other members...

Proposal

Please complete this form to propose a new chapter. The data will be emailed to IGDA staff. The IGDA will make its best efforts to respond in a timely manner.

Name	IGDA member #
Job Title	Company Name
Email	Phone

Proposed location (must be a city or region, NOT a state, province, or country)	Estimated size of chapter

Please describe your local game development industry, listing as many game studios or game-related companies in your area.

What role do you see your chapter having on this local community of game developers and how will it contribute to the IGDA's mission to serve the game industry?

Please briefly describe your qualifications and why you want to serve as the coordinator.

If granted permission to start an IGDA chapter, what would your plan of action be for establishing an organizing committee and planning your first chapter meeting?