ComNet25 Key Dates

General Questions

What is ComNet?

ComNet is the annual gathering of The Communications Network.— three days of ideas, insights, inspiration, connection and fun! ComNet25 will take place in Denver, CO October 15-17, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Denver!  You can learn more about The Communications Network here.

What is The Communications Network? 

The Communications Network is a vibrant, diverse, and dedicated community of over 3,000 communicators, storytellers, strategists, designers, researchers, producers, and community builders. 

We believe leaders working in communications for good—and the organizations they serve—will be stronger, smarter, and more effective when connected to a diverse network of colleagues, peers, and programs. 

Join The Communications Network to keep the learning and connections going all year round!

A digital graphic with the message 'Engage with The Network!' and icons representing different communication channels: ComNet, Circles, LOCALS, Webinars, Jones Award, and Slack.

Why should I attend ComNet25 Denver?

The field of foundation and nonprofit communications (what we've come to call #comms4good) is always evolving. None of us know it all, and none of us have to go it alone. ComNet gathers our community for foundation and nonprofit leaders in order to help them grow and get better at their work by learning from experts, innovations in our field, and one another. 

96% of attendees rated the ComNet as excellent/very good 

95% said the conference was relevant, useful and helpful to their work

97% appreciated The Network’s strong culture of community and support

Location + Accommodation Questions

When and where is ComNet25?

ComNet25 will happen October 15-17, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, Colorado

Where should I stay?

Unfortunately our hotel room block is currently sold out, and we do not have another room block at another hotel. Our conference hotel (the Hyatt Regency Denver) is in the middle of a vibrant district downtown so there are a lot of great options nearby. We recommend booking at your preferred option. Thanks for your understanding!

If you have already booked in our room block, you can modify or cancel your hotel reservations before September 20, 2025. We look forward to seeing you in Denver!

Travel tips to the Hyatt Regency from the Airport 

The Hyatt is located at 650 15th St, Denver, CO 80202. (Pro Tip: If you’re coming from the airport, locals have recommended the light rail as the fastest and most economical. Take the train to Union Station and then take the free 16th ST Mallride Bus to the California stop, then walk two blocks to the Hyatt.)

Parking

If you are planning to drive to the Hyatt Regency, please be aware of the following street closures that may affect your transportation on Wednesday, October 15.

  • 14th St will be closed from Stout to Welton St. 

  • California will be business access only and be turned into a two-way street
    from 15th to accommodate the parking lot.

  • Welton St will be reduced to 1 lane of traffic only starting once you make
    the turn from Colfax.

  • It should also be noted that all meters on 14th St, 12th St, and Welton
    have been bagged and not usable.

These closures and meters will begin on Weds, October 15 beginning at 4pm. If thestreet remains closed when you are leaving the garage, the Denver PD will direct you tothe route to follow as you exit.

Registration + Scholarship Questions 

Registration 

ComNet25 registration is now closed. 

May I attend the conference without registering?

No. To ensure the safety and security of all attendees, anyone who would like to attend the conference must be registered.

What does my registration fee include?

  • Access to all conference programing Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

  • Entry to the ComNet25 Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening 

  • A group rate at the conference hotel

  • Access to conference app

  • Learning Lab notes + copies of each ShowCase poster + video + audio recordings of keynotes etc 

  • Conference swag and related conference materials

  • Two breakfasts and one lunch 

  • Tons of coffee

  • New friends and community!

*Registration does not cover the cost of a hotel room, so please reserve your hotel room separately.

Do you offer scholarships?

Thanks to generous support from The Rockefeller Foundation, The Frank Karel Scholarship enables The Communications Network to offer complimentary registrations to nonprofit staffers and communications-focused academics who would not otherwise be able to attend ComNet25. The Frank Karel Scholarship for ComNet25 will open in mid-February and close in the early spring (tentatively mid-April). 

If you were awarded the Karel Scholarship for ComNet24, you are eligible for the alumni rate. If you’re interested, please email Lalissie for more information. 

Can I update my registration? 

You can modify or cancel your registration up until September 10, 2025. Please note a $50 cancellation/change fee will be applied. 

For support regarding registration questions or updates, please contact us at ComNet@comnetwork.org.

What’s your refund policy?

You can cancel your ComNet25 registration and receive a full refund (minus a $50 fee) through September 10, 2025. We are unable to offer refunds after September 10, 2025.

I’m no longer able to attend; can I transfer my registration to someone else? 

We are not able to process registration transfers. If you are no longer able to attend and would like a colleague to attend ComNet in your place, we welcome this change before registration closes on September 10 (or sell out date). 

To make this update: attendees will cancel their original registration and receive a refund (minus the $50 cancellation fee), and the colleague will register as a new attendee.

Please contact us at ComNet@comnetwork.org if you have any questions or need any support. Thank you!

Can I bring a friend/partner/guest to The Welcome Reception or ComNet25?

Short answer? No. 

To participate in ComNet25 programming and activities including The Welcome Reception, you must be a registered ComNet25 attendee. For security, we cannot accommodate guests. You will need to show your badge to join sessions, conference meals, receptions, and ComNet25 overall.

Program + Schedule

How do I propose a session/idea for ComNet25?

We’re thrilled you want to contribute to ComNet! If you’d like to share an idea for session topics, or presenters, or have another suggestion to make Denver awesome, please let us know through this form. 

Our 2025 community call for proposals — for ShowCase Poster sessions — will open in February 2025 with an April 2025 deadline. 

ShowCase Poster sessions provide attendees an opportunity to learn directly from peers through nearly 100 comms for good case studies from across the field and across a range of issues. 

When should I arrive/depart? 

If you want to participate in attendee-led gatherings or pre-conference activities (including our Day of Service and/or pre-conference panels) starting on October 15 (Wednesday) we recommend you arrive on site by Tuesday. The conference program officially starts Wednesday at the Welcome Reception. The conference programming will wrap up before lunch on Friday, around 12:30 pm. 

What is the schedule/program? 

Our complete/detailed schedule can be found here. Here’s what you can expect/plan for: 

Wednesday October 15 

  • Day of Service throughout the day (if you’d like to participate we recommend coming in Tuesday night)  

  • Pre-Conference Panels and Field Trips throughout the day

  • First Timer Reception from 3:30 - 5 :00 pm  

  • Welcome Reception tentatively from 6:00 - 9:00 pm (light hors d'oeuvre and drinks included) 

Thursday October 16 

  • A full day of programming including Keynotes + Learning Labs + ShowCase Poster sessions + Networking @ Night tentatively 8:30 am - 7:00 pm 

  • Breakfast and lunch included 

Friday October 17 

  • Breakfast followed by a half day of programing including Keynotes + Learning Labs + ShowCare Poster sessions

  • The program will wrap around 12:30 pm right before lunch

Accessibility + No Solicitation Policy + Code of Conduct

What accessibility options will you offer? 

The Network will be providing ASL interpreters and remote real-time captioning (CART) for all Keynote Sessions and will be able to provide for Breakout Sessions on request.   

Do you have a Code of Conduct?

Yes, The Communications Network is dedicated to a safe, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone — online and in-person. You can learn more about that here. 

What is The Network’s No Solicitation Policy?

ComNet25 is an opportunity to meet new people and network. It is not an appropriate venue for a sales pitch. Here is the complete No Solicitation Policy.

The Communications Network + ComNet Community

Who attends The Communications Network conference?

The ComNet community is made up of leaders from philanthropy and nonprofit institutions in the U.S. — and increasingly around the world. 

Folks join us from 5 continents, and nearly all 50 states. Our attendees represent organizations including the Ford Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, StoryCorps, the Rockefeller Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, NPR, Democracy Fund, Truth Initiative, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Fair Fight, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Sesame Workshop, The Texas Tribune, The Pittsburgh Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, and hundreds more.

Will I be able to connect with other conference attendees prior to the conference?

Yep! You’ll receive an email in September connecting you with a random array of other lovely, smart folks headed to Denver to get the connections cooking before we come together (if you prefer, you can let us know while registering that you prefer to opt-out of our community connection emails). 

How can I find out who else is attending ComNet25? 

Through our Attendee Directory (if you are registered you’ll get a link and password), attendee names and organizations are posted to a password-protected page. The password is shared only with conference attendees. 

ComNet is about connection and community — not commerce. That’s why we never share or sell registrants’ names and contact information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, with third parties — and for 45 years The Communications Network has observed a strict no solicitation policy. 

Attendees will be able to chat and direct message other attendees through the ComNet25 conference app and members will be able to connect all year on The Network Slack.

Sponsorship + Support

How can I support ComNet25?

You can check out our Partner Opportunities packet to learn more about supporting ComNet and Network programs. To discuss partnership opportunities and/or explore ways to support specific Network efforts, please contact Communications Network CEO Sean Gibbons at sgibbons@comnetwork.org.

I still have a question. How can I get in touch?

Please email us at comnet@comnetwork.org and we’ll be in touch as quickly as possible.