The end of January is coming up and that means one thing: Community Manager Appreciation Day (CMAD) is just around the corner!

For those who haven't gotten the memo (yet!), CMAD is an annual celebration held every 4th Monday of January. This year, it falls on January 22nd, so mark your calendars and get ready to shower our community managers with the love and recognition they deserve!

Why CMAD Should Be a Day on Your Radar To Celebrate 

Community managers, in my book, are some of the most supportive and hardworking people I’ve met. Think about it:

• Community managers engage with thousands of people, building meaningful relationships.
• They juggle a million tasks – from fostering discussions to curating content and keeping the conversation flowing 24/7.
• They're the first line of defense, shielding communities from negativity and trolls.
• And often, they put their own well-being on the back burner to ensure everyone else feels welcome and supported.

So in short, they are the friends you never met, the cheerleaders you never knew you needed, and the problem-solvers who keep the whole thing from falling apart.

So, CMAD isn't just about saying "thanks" (although, thank you a million times, heroes!). It's about giving these amazing humans the recognition they deserve and a chance to kick back, relax, and soak in the sunshine of their well-earned awesomeness. 

This post is your cheat sheet for a supercharged CMAD celebration. We'll brainstorm ways to spread the word about these online superheroes, plus share some ideas to make January 22nd a day they'll never forget.

Spread the Word!

Remember this meme we shared a couple of years ago?

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Well, this year, let's change the narrative. Let's make CMAD a celebration that explodes beyond our own circles by spreading the word. Share the joy with the #CMAD2024 hashtag and shower CM's with the recognition they deserve!

• Community Teams: Community Teams, blast social media with celebratory posts! Share stories, highlight achievements, and showcase your awesome CM with a picture or your community homepage screenshot. Don't forget to share the love in your own community channels too!
• Executives & Managers: Advocate for your community team! Talk about their work in meetings, share their stories, and let them know how much you value them.
• Community Members: Show your appreciation! Engage with content, leave comments, and participate in special CMAD activities. 
• Community Managers: Don't be shy! Nominate yourselves for a shoutout, share your achievements, and let us celebrate your awesomeness.

IRL Activities

Social media shoutouts are awesome, but let's face it, nothing beats celebrating in person.

If you're an executive or manager reading this post, surprise your community team with a delicious lunch, organize a team outing (bowling anyone?), or even plan a casual virtual game night. Remember, a genuine "thank you" in person can be just as impactful (if not more) than a million likes.

Feeling extra generous? Consider a gift! Think tickets to the CMX Summit 2024 (early bird pricing still available!), a community-focused learning course, or a thoughtful book. And for more inspiration, check out this awesome roundup of CMAD gift ideas by The Community Roundtable. 

And hey, CMs, this IRL celebration extends to YOU too! So treat yourself to something special. Whether it's a relaxing spa day, a day in nature, or indulging in that hobby you haven't touched in ages, remember, self-care is the ultimate gift you can give yourself.

CMAD Celebration Continues with CMX!

CMAD is just the beginning! To keep the party rolling, we're inviting you to celebrate with us at "2024 Community Managers Celebration: One Year, Many Communities," happening on January 29th.

Here's what awaits you:

• Relive the Year's Wins: Let's celebrate the communities you've built, the connections you've forged, and the impact you've made!
• 2024 CMX Community Industry Awards: Get ready for the Fifth Annual CMX Community Industry Awards! We'll reveal the winners right here, celebrating the amazing communities and community professionals who've rocked our industry this year.
• VIP giveaway you can't miss: Attend the event and you'll be automatically entered to win a VIP All Access + Workshops CMX Summit ticket! This golden ticket unlocks access to all sessions, two workshops, the CMX Academy Community MBA course, exclusive recordings, and even a cool CMX t-shirt. 

Don't miss out on this chance to extend the CMAD love, celebrate our incredible industry, and maybe snag that golden ticket to the CMX Summit. RSVP for "2024 Community Managers Celebration: One Year, Many Communities" today!