diff --git a/cookiecutter.yaml b/cookiecutter.yaml
index 24a425b..f84f95a 100644
--- a/cookiecutter.yaml
+++ b/cookiecutter.yaml
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ repo_directory: html
 name: SnowEx Hackweek
 banner:
   description: Tutorials + peer-to-peer learning + project based teamwork using NASA's SnowEx data.
-  start_date: 19
-  end_date: 23 Aug
-  year: 2024
-  location: In Person on the University of Washington campus, Seattle, WA
+  start_date: ''
+  end_date: ''
+  year: ''
+  location: ''
   image: https://geohackweek.github.io/assets/images/banner.jpg
 about:
   description: ''
diff --git a/{{ cookiecutter.repo_directory }}/index.html b/{{ cookiecutter.repo_directory }}/index.html
index b770164..6f29560 100644
--- a/{{ cookiecutter.repo_directory }}/index.html	
+++ b/{{ cookiecutter.repo_directory }}/index.html	
@@ -105,15 +105,15 @@
             <h1 class="hero-heading mb-2">
                 {{ cookiecutter.name }} {{ cookiecutter.banner.year }}
             </h1>
+            {%- if (cookiecutter.banner.year|length) > 0 %}
             <div class="hero-meta mb-3">
                 <i class="far fa-calendar-alt me-2"></i>
-                {{ cookiecutter.banner.start_date }} - {{
-                cookiecutter.banner.end_date }}
+                {{ cookiecutter.banner.start_date }} - {{cookiecutter.banner.end_date }}
                 <i class="fas fa-map-marker-alt mx-2"></i>
                 {{ cookiecutter.banner.location }}
             </div>
-            <div class="hero-intro mb-4">{{ cookiecutter.banner.description
-                }}
+            {%- endif %}
+            <div class="hero-intro mb-4">{{ cookiecutter.banner.description}}
             </div>
             {%- if 'links' in cookiecutter.banner %}
             <div class="hero-cta">