Community Manager Appreciation Day

Community Manager Appreciation Day: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of Online Communities

Community Manager Appreciation Day (CMAD) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing and honoring the hard work and dedication of community managers worldwide. These unsung heroes play a crucial role in fostering engagement, building relationships, and creating thriving online communities.

Quick Facts

When is it?: The fourth Monday of January
Tagged as: #CMAD
What’s the hashtag?: #CMGR
When was it founded?: 2010
Who founded it?: Jeremiah Owyang

History of Community Manager Appreciation Day

CMAD was established to shine a spotlight on the often behind-the-scenes efforts of community managers. As online communities have evolved, so have the responsibilities of community managers, expanding to include product support, development, PR, and customer support.

Timeline

1990s: The role of community manager emerges, initially known as Sysops
2010: Jeremiah Owyang announces the first Community Manager Appreciation Day
2025: CMAD continues to grow, with events and celebrations held worldwide

Community Manager Appreciation Day Dates

Year	Month and Date	Day
2025	January 27	Monday
2026	January 26	Monday
2027	January 25	Monday
2028	January 24	Monday
2029	January 22	Monday
2030	January 28	Monday

Observed Community Manager Appreciation Day

CMAD is celebrated globally, with various events and activities organized to honor community managers. Many cities with thriving tech scenes, such as Boston, Austin, and San Francisco, hold meetups and events on this day.

Online, people express their gratitude through social media posts, blog articles, and personal messages to their community managers. Companies and organizations often use this day to highlight the contributions of their community management teams.

Community managers themselves use this opportunity to network, share experiences, and learn from one another through virtual and in-person gatherings.

Fun Facts About Community Manager Appreciation Day

The term “community manager” evolved from earlier roles like Sysops and Community Leaders
Social media never sleeps, and neither do community managers
Community managers often wear multiple hats, including product development and customer support
Many community managers started as passionate members of the communities they now lead
CMAD has inspired similar appreciation days for other digital professions

Quiz

On which day of the week is CMAD celebrated?
Who founded Community Manager Appreciation Day?
What year was the first CMAD celebrated?
What are the two main hashtags used for CMAD?
In which month is CMAD observed?

(Answers: 1. Monday, 2. Jeremiah Owyang, 3. 2010, 4. #CMAD and #CMGR, 5. January)

FAQs

Q: How can I celebrate Community Manager Appreciation Day?
A: You can thank your community managers, attend or organize CMAD events, or share appreciation posts on social media.

Q: Are there any official CMAD events?
A: While there’s no single official event, many cities and organizations host their own CMAD celebrations and meetups.

Q: Can anyone participate in Community Manager Appreciation Day?
A: Yes, anyone can participate by showing appreciation for community managers or attending CMAD events.

Q: Is CMAD only for online community managers?
A: While it originated for online community managers, CMAD now recognizes all types of community managers.

Q: How has the role of community managers evolved since CMAD began?
A: The role has expanded to include various responsibilities like product development, PR, and customer support.

Importance of Community Manager Appreciation Day

Community Manager Appreciation Day serves as a reminder of the vital role these professionals play in our digital world. It highlights the often unseen work that goes into creating and maintaining thriving online communities.

This day of recognition helps raise awareness about the community management profession, potentially inspiring others to pursue this career path. It also provides an opportunity for community managers to connect, share best practices, and feel valued for their contributions.

By celebrating CMAD, we acknowledge the impact of community managers on user engagement, brand loyalty, and the overall health of online ecosystems. It’s a day to reflect on the power of community and the individuals who help shape our digital interactions.