We can’t wait to welcome you to Colorado for ComNet25 Denver!

Over our 3 days together you’ll gain useful and practical comms ideas, insights, and inspiration from keynotes, learning labs, and posters and have a ton of fun while connecting with nearly 1,000 colleagues and new friends over meals, during Networking at Night, at our Welcome Reception, and more.

And yes, you’ll get a view of the magnificent Rocky Mountains outside the hotel!

What to Expect:

Overview

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.

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.

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

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 of foundation and nonprofit leaders in order to help them grow and get better at their work by learning from experts, exploring innovations in the field, and connecting with 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

Who attends ComNet?

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.

Schedule

We’ll be sharing even more program details soon — and you can expect the complete ComNet25 schedule to be announced by early summer!

Here’s what we know so far…

WEDNESDAY

The conference kicks off Wednesday, October 15 with Pre-Conference Activities.

If you wish to participate in pre-conference activities, we recommend arriving in Denver on Tuesday (and yes some folks will be putting together attendee-led gatherings on Tuesday — check out the Bulletin Board launching this summer!).

On Wednesday, throughout the day you’ll be able to participate in pre-conference volunteer opportunities as part of Day of Service, field trips to visit local cool places and organizations, pre-conference panel discussions, and other attendee-led activities on the Bulletin Board such as a meditation or the bike ride our friends Steven Birenbaum (UCSF) and Catherine Brozena (ColorThisWorld Communications) have made a can’t miss tradition. For our First Timers attending ComNet, we'll have an interactive reception just for you from 3:30-5:00pm to kick off your conference experience.

The conference officially opens on Wednesday evening with an Opening Night Welcome Reception from 6-9pm. We will be at Meow Wolf — an immersive and interactive art installation by over 145 local artists.

Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station is a multiversal transit station where you will get to choose your own adventure and be transported through converged worlds. Meow Wolf expands worlds and minds through collaborative art and storytelling.

If that ain’t your thing (or you don’t like flashing lights) you can hang out and connect with folks on the onsite patio or cocktail bar. There’ll be food and drink throughout the exhibit space too.

Please note that specialty lighting, haze and other visual effects are used extensively throughout the exhibit. Check out their sensory guide to learn more.

THURSDAY

Thursday, October 16 will be a full day of conference programming — tentatively planned for 8:30am-7:00pm.

Keynote: Meeting the Moment
Join us for two TED-style talks that will explore perceptions, misconceptions, and how we build shared moments in today’s seemingly divisive times. You’ll hear from Stephen Hawkins, More in Common and Ashlin Malouf, Othering & Belonging Institute.

ShowCase Posters: Learn from the real-world experiences of 70+ of your colleagues during these case study sessions. Here are just a few of the organizations presenting:

Learning Labs: You’ll get to join several expert-led deep dive learning sessions focused on topics applicable to your comms work.

Case Study Sessions: New this year! 65-minute sessions focused on lessons learned and key ideas from specific projects and activities (e.g., a challenge, celebration, etc.).

Here are some of the organizations presenting Learning Labs and Case Study Sessions:

Keynote: Jonathan Capehart, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist and Author

Networking: Get your charm on and build your network! Connect with colleagues and peers at breakfast + lunch + Networking @ Night Happy Hour!

FRIDAY

Friday, October 17 will be a half day of programming — tentatively scheduled for 8:30am-12:30pm (if you’re traveling home, we recommend flying out after 3pm on Friday!)

Keynote: Diane Yentel, President and CEO of National Council of Nonprofits

ShowCase Poster Sessions: More time to learn from the real-world experiences of your colleagues.

Learning Labs: You’ll get to join one final expert-led deep dive learning session!

Case Study Sessions: New this year! 65-minute sessions focused on lessons learned and key ideas from specific projects and activities (e.g., a challenge, celebration, etc.).

Keynote: 2025 Clarence B. Jones Impact Award Winner El Tímpano, a civic media organization created with and for immigrants who face systemic barriers to information, civic participation, and representation.

The program will wrap around 12:30pm.

REMINDERS:

ComNet Vibe = Be cool. Be kind. Show respect. Give grace. Offer help. Seek support. Include everyone. Ask questions.
ComNet is about connection, not commerce: Please make sure to review and follow our no solicitation policy and code of conduct
Denver is at Altitude: Stay hydrated and give yourself a day to acclimate. Altitude sickness is a thing and Denver is the mile high city!

Weather: In mid-October anything can happen — please make sure to check the weather forecast before you travel as locals tell us it could be snowing or sunny in the 50s!