We want to hear from you
Our Demo Lab gives Summit attendees like you an interactive opportunity to showcase your work for your peers. Participants will have a dedicated space to demo a project in an informal, approachable setting.
We’d love to see your ideas if you fit one of these categories:
- Tech and government professionals presenting innovative tools or approaches
- Teams or individuals with projects at any stage—from initial ideas to polished solutions
- Civic tech problem-solvers seeking collaboration, feedback, or inspiration
We like to think of Summit as the nerd table in high school, all grown up. And what person who sat at that table (we know you were there with us) didn’t love a science fair? The Demo Lab is more than just an exhibit session—it’s a platform to build community around shared challenges and inspire new solutions. It will foster collaboration by connecting like-minded individuals, and bring a hands-on element to Summit to amplify our collective impact. Join us in the Demo Lab and showcase your work in a vibrant, interactive setting. Together, let’s inspire new ideas and find solutions that make a real difference!
Submission criteria
- Relevance to theme and tracks: Ensure your demo aligns with the Summit theme and one of the designated conference tracks.
- One-minute screen recording: Provide a concise screen recording that showcases your demo in action. This should highlight key features and functionality.
- 100-word description: Submit a clear and engaging written summary (100 words or less) that explains your demo’s purpose, intended audience, and impact.
- Presenter limit: To facilitate smooth participation during the event, each demo can have no more than two presenters.
Submit your proposal
Proposal submissions will be accepted until February 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
We plan to let you know if your submission has been accepted in late March 2025. If selected, you must confirm your participation by April 4, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Summit 2025?
Code for America Summit 2025 will be an in-person experience May 29–30 in Washington, D.C. Demos will be held on either Thursday, May 29 or Friday, May 30.
Will my session be on the Summit mainstage?
Demos will take place alongside breakout sessions and lightning talks, rather than being featured on the mainstage.
Who is the Summit audience?
Code for America Summit is open to anyone and everyone whose work touches government technology and civic innovation.
What should I know about Summit attendees?
Our attendees represent a wide range of local, state, and federal government, as well as civic tech practitioners from across the country. They include public servants (both technical and non-technical) who are involved in delivering government services, representatives of technology vendors who work with governments, nonprofit advocates, and other change agents.
Approximately 40% of our 2024 registrants worked in government while the other 60% worked in nonprofits, the private sector, philanthropy, and other fields.
Usually, about 60% of our attendees are new to Summit.
What’s the key information to include in submissions?
For your submission, you’ll need to let us know:
- About you: Your name, contact information, title, organization, and demographic information
- About your submission: Desired outcome, title, description, and screen recording
- About your co-presenter (if applicable): Their name, contact information, title, organization, and demographic information
What happens after I submit?
- The submission deadline is February 18, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
- We plan to inform you if your submission has been accepted in late March 2025.
- If selected, you must confirm your participation by April 4, 2025.
Is there an entry fee?
No, there is no fee to submit a demo.
How are demos selected?
Submissions will be evaluated by a small committee of your peers in the government technology and civic innovation community. We review submissions based on the quality of the title, description, demo recording, and how well they fit within the conference theme and Summit tracks. Our goal is to select content that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of our attendees.
What do I receive if my demo is selected?
If selected, you will receive one complimentary in-person ticket to Summit. Additionally, we are pleased to offer a $250 honorarium which will be processed after Summit, though we understand all may not be able to accept (for example, government employees).
Will demos be recorded?
No, the Demo Lab will not be recorded. We want this to be a collaborative space for both presenters and attendees.