ACM Celebrations

ACM Celebrations of Women in Computing bring together technical women who study or work within a shared geographic region — whether that region is a single city, a country, or even multiple countries. These gatherings aim to foster community, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for connection and mentoring. Our goal is to reach the widest possible audience through an international network of small, self-sustaining events, coordinated — whenever possible — with ACM‑W chapters.

The organisers of each event are known as Celebration Chairs, and they play a central role in shaping the vision, scope, and impact of their regional Celebration. Below you will find guidance on how to apply to host a Celebration, what is required from organisers, the sponsorship provided by ACM, and additional resources to support your planning.

Why Host an ACM Celebration?

Hosting an ACM Celebration offers significant benefits for local communities, academic institutions, and industry partners. The advantages include:

• Building bridges between academia and industry: Celebrations create meaningful connections across sectors, helping participants access resources, mentorship, and new career opportunities.
• Strengthening local and regional support networks: Celebrations bring together women in computing who often live, study, or work in the same region yet may never cross paths without a dedicated event. 
• Inspiring future generations: Seeing women succeed in computing motivates young people and career‑changers to consider pathways in computer science and related fields.
• Expanding academic collaboration: Celebrations provide opportunities for computing professionals to meet peers working in similar areas, supporting interdisciplinary projects and new scholarly partnerships.
• Supporting students and early‑career professionals: Young researchers can find role models and connect with mentors who help them navigate challenges, contributing to greater satisfaction and long‑term career success.

Apply to Host an ACM Celebration

Prospective Celebration Chairs begin by submitting the following form no later than 4 months before the event date: 

ACM Celebration of Women in Computing Application Form

Requirements for Hosting an ACM Celebration

To ensure consistency and quality across all ACM Celebrations of Women in Computing, applications must meet the following requirements:

• Mission alignment: Each Celebration must explicitly support, celebrate, and advocate for women in computing, ensuring that all aspects of the event reflect the core purpose of the ACM Celebrations programme.
• Minimum duration: Each Celebration must run for at least one full day. It may be co‑located with another event; however, it must remain a distinct, standalone Celebrations of Women in Computing rather than being incorporated into or subsumed by another event.
• Official branding: The ACM sponsorship must be clearly reflected in the event name and in all associated promotional materials:
  • The event title must include the phrase “ACM Celebration of Women in Computing” to ensure clear and consistent identification across the global programme. This must be the sole name under which the event is promoted, advertised, and recognised.
  • The ACM and ACM‑W Europe logos must be displayed on all promotional materials, both digital and printed.
• Event structure: While each region may tailor its event to local needs, the event agenda should broadly follow the established Celebration model, typically incorporating elements such as keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, poster sessions, a hackathon, a career fairs, etc.
• Post‑event reporting: Celebration Chairs must provide a concise written summary of the event, suitable for inclusion in an ACM‑W Europe newsletter, within 30 days of the Celebration’s conclusion.

ACM Sponsorship and Funding

ACM provides financial support to help launch and sustain the Celebrations. Each approved event is eligible to receive up to $3,000 in sponsorship and ACM-branded swag for the event. This funding may be used for venue costs, materials, speaker support, student participation, or other essential event expenses. 

Event leadership is not restricted from seeking additional funding or in-kind support from other sources to further enhance the Celebration. Please note the terminology:

• Sponsor: By definition, ACM is the sponsor of all events organised as part of the ACM Celebrations of Women in Computing programme — it provides the branding, legitimacy and organizational framework for the programme. If a Celebration is organised by an academic institution, the hosting institution is also a sponsor of the Celebration.
• Supporter: Other financial contributors are “supporters” because they are supporting the ACM’s initiative, not replacing ACM’s role. They may be recognized in promotional materials and/or on the website, often in tiered categories (bronze, silver, gold, etc.).

Additional Resources

Please review the following materials to support successful planning:

• ACM Celebration of Women in Computing Guidelines
• 101 Ideas for Planning Celebrations

The ACM and ACM-W Europe logos can be found here:

• ACM logo
• ACM-W Europe logos

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can serve as a Celebration Chair?  

Anyone who supports the mission of the ACM Celebrations programme. Celebration Chairs may be faculty, students, industry professionals, or community leaders with a demonstrated commitment to supporting women in computing. They may be of any gender.

Can multiple institutions collaborate to host a Celebration?  

Yes, absolutely. Jointly organised events often strengthen regional participation and resource sharing.

Can men participate in ACM Celebrations?

Yes! ACM Celebrations are open to participants of any gender. 

How large should a Celebration be?  

Events vary widely in size, from small regional gatherings to multi‑day conferences. Chairs should design an event that fits their community’s needs and resources. 

Can we charge registration fees?  

Yes. Modest registration fees are permitted and often help ensure financial sustainability.

Does my ACM Celebration need to follow the same format as womENcourageTM?

No. The ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: womENcourageTM is a flagship event of ACM-W Europe, gathering community members from all around our ACM-W region. It differs from other Celebrations, as it is an event directly organised by ACM-W Europe working group, and it is sponsored by ACM-W Europe as a sub-unit of the ACM. 

Are the ACM’s PAF and TMRF forms required for my ACM Celebration of Women in Computing?

No. The ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: womENcourageTM is a large event and follows the ACM standard procedure of submitting a PAF and TMRF for each iteration in the series. Other events organised as part of the ACM Celebrations programme are not required to do so.

I have already hosted one ACM Celebration this year. Can I apply to host another one this year?

No. To ensure broad global reach, ACM supports only one Celebration annually within a given geographic area; however, you are encouraged to apply next year.

What if my question is not answered here?

If you have a question that is not addressed in this FAQ, please do not hesitate to contact the ACM-W Europe Celebrations Committee at: acm-w-europe-celebrations@acm.org.