Developer champion programs have become powerful engines for community building and product adoption, but creating a program that delivers real value requires more than selecting influential developers and providing perks. Drawing from experience leading champion program revamps and building new programs from the ground up, this talk reveals the practical frameworks and hard-won lessons behind successful champion initiatives. You'll learn how to identify the right candidates, structure meaningful engagement beyond marketing, measure program impact, and avoid common pitfalls that cause programs to stagnate or feel inauthentic. Whether you're launching a new champion program or improving an existing one, you'll leave with actionable strategies for building a community of advocates who genuinely amplify your technology because they believe in it.