How to Make Most of Shopify Meetups: Complete Beginner Guide
By Braincuber Team
Published on May 13, 2026
Shopify meetups are some of the best opportunities to connect with like-minded e-commerce enthusiasts, learn from industry experts, and grow your business network. This complete beginner guide recaps the PageFly team's experience at Shopify meetups in Singapore and Manila, sharing actionable lessons on networking, booth setup, audience engagement, and BFCM preparation.
What You'll Learn:
- How to prepare for a Shopify meetup as an attendee or partner
- Key takeaways from the Singapore meetup including Shopify Email launch
- How the Manila meetup became the biggest Shopify meetup globally with 362 attendees
- How to set up an effective booth with swag and surveys
- How to run engaging contests using Kahoot-style quizzes
- How to use BFCM checklists and landing page strategies for holiday sales
Why Shopify Meetups Matter
Shopify meetups bring together merchants, agencies, developers, and partners in one room with a shared interest: e-commerce and the desire to build businesses. Whether you are a seller, developer, or business professional, these events offer a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and get inspired. The PageFly team attended two major meetups back to back: Singapore on November 7 and Manila on November 9, each offering distinct experiences and lessons.
| Meetup | Date | Attendees | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify Singapore | Nov 7 | 100+ | Hoolah & 360&5 Shopify Experts |
| Shopify Manila | Nov 9 | 362 (biggest globally) | Filta Global |
Key Takeaways from Singapore Meetup
The Singapore meetup was held at WeWork in Suntec City, a venue with a great atmosphere that hosted over 100 participants. Two major highlights stood out:
Shopify Email Launch
Sarah Tan from Shopify shared that Shopify Email was finally arriving. Initially available as limited access with early access applications, this native email marketing tool was designed to support over 1,000,000 Shopify merchants. It was a powerful addition to the Shopify ecosystem, making email marketing accessible directly from the platform without third-party apps.
BFCM Checklist
A consistent recommendation at every meetup: the BFCM Checklist by Shopify. Updated every year, this checklist gives merchants relevant and actionable content to prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It was a recurring theme across both events.
Lessons from the World's Biggest Shopify Meetup in Manila
The Manila meetup, organized by Filta Global, was recognized as the biggest Shopify meetup in the world so far with 362 attendees. About two-thirds of participants were merchants, some with existing Shopify stores and others planning to open theirs. The PageFly team deployed a team of 4 people and implemented several effective strategies:
Strategic Booth Setup with Standees
The team used two standees: one placed in the walk path to catch attendee attention, and another at their booth location where they had space to conduct consultations. This dual-standee approach maximized visibility and created a dedicated consultation area.
Free Swag and Giveaways
Free Bearie swags and keychains were given to anyone who came to the booth. Free t-shirts were offered to those who completed the Shopify Merchant Survey. The team collected over 200 survey results, gaining valuable insights from the local community.
QR Code & Bit.ly Survey Access
To get a t-shirt, attendees scanned a QR code or visited the survey page through a bit.ly link. This dual approach ensured that even attendees without a QR code app could access the survey. A simple but effective lesson in removing friction.
Knowledge-Based Contest (Kahoot)
Instead of a random draw, the team crafted 10 questions about Shopify, Shopify partners, and content presented at the meetup. The winner was determined by correct answers and response time. This concept covered 228 people and significantly increased audience engagement.
Presentation on Landing Page Strategy
The team presented on Maximize sales with landing pages during the holiday season, sharing lessons learned from serving 25,000+ active Shopify merchants. The key insight: treat the landing page as one of your best-performing pages.
BFCM Preparation Insights
The end of the year is a busy time for both merchants and Shopify partners. The holiday season was warming up with Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching. Two key themes emerged from the meetups:
Use the BFCM Checklist
Shopify publishes an updated BFCM Checklist every year. This checklist covers everything from store optimization to marketing preparation. It was recommended repeatedly as the single most important resource for holiday readiness.
Landing Page Optimization
Treat landing pages as your best-performing assets. Use them to highlight holiday offers, create urgency, and track conversions. PageFly demonstrated how to fire Google Analytics and Facebook events from landing pages to track user behavior and build remarketing audiences.
How to Find and Join Shopify Meetups
1. Check Shopify Community events page for local meetups
2. Search Meetup.com for Shopify groups in your city
3. Follow Shopify Partners on social media for event announcements
4. Join the Shopify Community forums to connect with local organizers
5. Bring business cards and prepare a 30-second introduction
6. Prepare questions about BFCM, SEO, and conversion optimization
7. Take notes on tools, strategies, and contacts shared
8. Follow up with new connections within 48 hours
Pro Tip from the Manila Meetup
The winner of the contest was determined by knowledge, not luck. The team crafted questions related to Shopify content presented at the meetup. This approach encouraged attendees to pay attention throughout the event and rewarded genuine engagement. Consider using Kahoot for your next event contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Shopify meetups near me?
Check the Shopify Community events page, search Meetup.com for Shopify groups, follow Shopify Partners on social media, and join the Shopify Community forums where local organizers often post event announcements.
Are Shopify meetups free to attend?
Most Shopify meetups are free or have a nominal fee to cover venue and refreshments. The Singapore and Manila meetups covered in this guide were free to attend and included networking opportunities, presentations, and food or drinks.
What should I bring to a Shopify meetup?
Bring business cards, a notebook or device for taking notes, prepared questions about Shopify and e-commerce, and a positive attitude for networking. If you have a Shopify store, know your key metrics to discuss with experts.
How can I organize my own Shopify meetup?
Start by joining the Shopify Partner Program, then use the Shopify Community platform to create an event. Find a venue partner, plan an agenda with presentations and networking time, and promote through local e-commerce groups and social media.
What is the BFCM Checklist by Shopify?
It is an annual checklist published by Shopify that covers store optimization, marketing preparation, inventory planning, and customer engagement strategies specifically for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is updated each year with relevant insights and actionable steps.
Need Help Growing Your Shopify Store?
Our Shopify experts can help you optimize your store, prepare for BFCM, and build landing pages that convert. From strategy to execution, we guide you through every step of your e-commerce journey.