Hosts

How do I volunteer to host a Tables for Techers dinner?

Click here to sign up to host a Table for Techers in your city! You choose the day (Saturday or Sunday), time, location, and seats available around your table. We will gather all your dinner details, review, and confirm your table then prepare your listing for guest registration.

Do the hosts provide the meals?

Tables for Techers is an opportunity for alumni to gather colleagues around the table wherever that may be. Hosts may choose to open their homes to cook a meal, organize a potluck, book a caterer, or meet up at a local restaurant/food truck and split the bill.

Can I share responsibilities with a co-host?

Yes, choosing a co-host is a great way to share the responsibilities, costs, and entertaining duties. You might invite a fellow alumnus in your area to be a co-host; just be sure to register them during the sign-up process so you can both be listed and recognized.

How long should my Tables for Techers gathering last?

Hosts determine the time, but be prepared for about two hours of entertaining to allow for mingling and enjoying your meal. Consider having some ice breakers, conversation starters, or yearbooks handy to keep your group engaged.

Can I give my Tables for Techers a theme or topic?

Absolutely! Feel free to choose a topic or theme that resonates with you. This could be career- and industry-related, food-related, or any other interests, passions and affinities you have (Caltech Athletics, Doctor Who, Chemistry of Cooking, etc.). We know Techers love a fun theme!

When will I get information about my gathering and guest list?

Once you sign up to host, Caltech Alumni Relations staff will contact you within 5 business days to confirm your information before adding your dinner details to the guest registration form. Hosts will receive their final guest list at least one week prior to their dinner via the host email address provided. Hosts will be provided with all guest names, dietary restrictions, and available contact information for you to send a message to guests before arrival.

If you have not received your guest list, please contact Karen Ravago-Ballaret at info@alumni.caltech.edu.

What if I want to host, but I have plans that weekend? Can I host on another weekend?

We genuinely appreciate your interest in Tables for Techers, and we understand that some Techers may be traveling or already have other plans. Caltech Alumni Relations is focused on creating the energy and excitement around the event weekend and will be unable to organize hosts or guests outside of the specified July weekend. If you are interested in creating your own event at a different date, consider hosting a local Caltech Together meetup. Caltech Together events are organized by local alumni and promoted on the Caltech Alumni Relations Events Calendar.

To submit an event for consideration, complete an interest form.

I signed up to be a host, but can no longer hold my event. What should I do?

Please contact Karen Ravago-Ballaret at info@alumni.caltech.edu if you need to cancel your event so we can update our listings and inform any guests who have signed up.

Guests

When can I sign up as a dinner guest?

The 2025 Guest Registration form will be made available in June. Availability and locations will be based on who has volunteered to host.

Can I sign up to attend any gathering listed?

When Guest Registration opens, you may sign up to attend any Tables for Techer gathering that matches your plans. Caltech Alumni Relations will manage and confirm the final guest assignments. If you’re traveling, go ahead and register to join a table at your destination. Find the city and table that works best for you.

Reminder: Registration is required. Tables for Techers hosts volunteer their time, their resources, and often their homes, so showing up without prior arrangements is strongly discouraged. Guest lists will be provided to all hosts in advance.

Is there a cost to register as a Tables for Techers guest?

No. There is no fee for guests to register to attend a Tables for Techers event. Hosts may choose to cover all the meal costs. However, please be sure to read the dinner details before registering to see if the host is planning a potluck or if they ask guests to split the bill at a restaurant instead.

What if my spouse or roommate isn’t a Techer? Can I bring a non-Techer as a guest?

Spouses, partners, friends, and roommates—they are all welcome as a guest if there is room at the table during registration. Please be sure to register all participants. Unexpected or unregistered guests are discouraged as all hosts will be provided an official guest list for their event prior to their Tables for Techers dinner. Attendance will also be recorded by hosts and submitted to Caltech Alumni Relations.

When will I get information about a Table I registered for?

Guests will receive their final dinner details the week of their dinner via the email address provided. If you have not received your dinner details, please contact Karen Ravago-Ballaret at info@alumni.caltech.edu. ‍