ComNet24 Deadlines
Early-bird discount rates available through December 31, 2023 (or until sold out)
Call for Proposals deadline April 5, 2024
Jones Award deadline April 20, 2024
Karel Scholarship deadline April 22, 2024
Registration Deadline: September 12, 2024 or until sold out
Last day to cancel or transfer registration September 12, 2024
Overview
What is Comnet?
ComNet is the annual conference for leaders working in communications for good. ComNet24 will take place in Kansas City, Missouri October 16-18, 2024 at the Kansas City Loews and features 3 days of ideas, insights, inspiration, and fun!
The Network will celebrate its 45th anniversary of connecting, gathering, and informing the field of comms for good in 2024.
ComNet24 attendees will learn about emerging ideas and innovations, winning strategies, and get practical insights on what’s working (and what isn’t) in the field of communications for good while building community with some of the most gifted communicators, thinkers, and leaders in the social sector.
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 network to keep the connections going all year round through our exclusive Slack Member Community, Circles, and more!
Why should I attend?
ComNet provides a community and place for foundation and nonprofit leaders to grow — learning from experts, innovations in our field, and one another.
96% of attendees rated the conference highly and feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
“This was my first ComNet and I had no idea it would involve so much fruitful networking with newfound peers.”
"The speakers and conversations were amazing!"
"The networking is invaluable at ComNet!"
Why Kansas City?
As America prepares for national and local elections in 2024, we're taking ComNet to “America's Heartland”! Kansas City is a place that has historically built bridges through community, commerce, and culture. Kansas City is widely known as a city that has forged connections and innovations because of its central location on the American plains.
Barbecue, jazz, business, and water are central parts of Kansas City’s story. Home to the Kauffman Foundation, MLB’s Royals, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Patrick Mahomes and the NFL Chiefs, and the soon to be first stadium created sole for women's league soccer in the world, the city vibe is creative, cool, kind, laid back, vibrant, and full of hope and aspiration!
Location
When and where is ComNet24?
ComNet24 will happen in-person Wednesday, October 16 - Friday, October 18 2024 at the Kansas City Loews located at 1515 Wyandotte Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Where should I stay?
Unfortunately our hotel room block is currently full Wednesday and Thursday, and we do not have another room block at another hotel. Our conference hotel (the Loews Kansas City) is in the middle of a vibrant district downtown so there are a lot of 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 and receive updated information about the event. We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City!
Directions to and from the airport
There are plenty of ways passengers can get to and from Kansas City International Airport. Find more information about how to get to and from ComNet24, based on your preferred mode of transportation.
Schedule
When should I arrive?
That depends on what activities you’re interested in participating in. If you want to participate in attendee-led gatherings or pre-conference activities, we recommend you arrive by Wednesday morning. The conference officially starts Wednesday early evening at the Welcome Reception. The conference programming will wrap up before lunch on Friday, around 12:30 pm.
What is the schedule/program?
You can find our full and final schedule here and on our Whova conference app. In the meantime this is what to plan for:
Wednesday October 16
Day of Service throughout the day (if you’d like to participate we recommend coming in Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning)
Pre-Conference Panels in the afternoon
Welcome Reception at the Nelson-Atkins Museum 6:00 - 8:00 pm (light hors d'oeuvres and drinks included)
Thursday October 17
A full day of programming tentatively 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
Breakfast and lunch included
Friday October 18
Breakfast followed by a half day of programing
The program will wrap around 12:30 pm right before lunch
Registration
Registration
Registration for ComNet24 has closed.
What is your refund policy?
ComNet24 Registration closed September 12. We are no longer able to transfer registrations or offer refunds for canceled registrations after September 12.
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 programs Thursday and Friday, including keynote sessions
Entry to the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening
A group rate at the conference hotel
Access to conference app
Conference swag and related conference materials
Two breakfasts and one lunch
Free conference wifi
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 ComNet24. The Frank Karel Scholarship for ComNet25 will open this winter.
If you are a past Karel Scholarship recipient, please note that we are re-upholding the protocol for the Karel alum rate. The alumni rate is only available a year after the scholarship.
Can I bring a friend/partner/guest to The Welcome Reception or ComNet24?
To participate in ComNet24 programming and activities including The Welcome Reception, you must be a registered attendee. We are sorry we cannot accommodate guests. You will need to show your badge to join sessions, conference meals, receptions, and ComNet24 overall.
Programming
Do I need to sign up for specific ComNet24 sessions?
Nope! Once you are registered for the conference, you can join any session* you’d like. Our most popular sessions tend to fill up quickly, so plan to arrive early for your must-see sessions.
*Note: Senior Leader Sessions require reservation and are available on a first-come, first-served basis
What are Showcase Poster Presentations?
ShowCase Poster sessions are a chance for attendees to learn from real world case studies and emerging communications research in a more intimate setting.
Posters provide an opportunity to learn about what worked, and what didn’t — across the country and across issues — directly from your peers.
These open forum conversations highlight your work and key learnings. If you’d like to participate in ComNet25, the call for proposals will open this winter.
Will you offer a virtual option?
Yes, most of the main stage sessions will be live-streamed on The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s website: Philanthropy.com for free for all.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes — but not all keynote sessions will be available for replay (several speakers have asked that folks participate live and that we do not record the material since it is interactive and participatory). We aim to record and share as much of the content as we are able and many of the main stage sessions will be recorded and available to attendees about a month after the conference (a handful will eventually be up on our YouTube channel a couple months out). Breakout sessions will not be recorded.
Accessibility + 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.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, safe, welcoming environment for all attendees. Learn more about accessibility at ComNet24.
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?
ComNet24 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
Attendees
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?
Yes! You will receive an email in mid-September connecting you with other folks headed to Kansas City (if you prefer to save your connection for in-person, you can let us know while registering that you prefer to opt-out of community emails).
Through our Attendee Directory, attendee names and organizations are posted to a password-protected page. The password is shared only with conference attendees. Please note that we never share or sell registrants’ names and contact information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, with third parties.
Attendees will be able to chat and direct message other attendees through the ComNet24 conference app and members will be able to connect all year on The Network Slack.
Health + Safety
We’re asking each of you to please join us in taking precautions to keep each other safe.
If you feel unwell before or during ComNet24, please follow the Golden Rule and do not attend or halt participation if you are on site.
We strongly recommend and encourage you to take a COVID rapid test the day you arrive.
Masks are encouraged but entirely optional. For anyone who’d like to wear one, they’ll be available at the registration desk.
Respect that everyone is in a different place (some of us can’t wait to hug, while others are ready for fist bumps).
Given the evolving nature of the pandemic, we will continue to monitor any changes in public health guidelines and protocols, and there is a chance we might need to implement additional measures to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
What happens if I have COVID-19 or have had an exposure?
If you feel unwell before or during ComNet24, please follow the Golden Rule and do not attend or halt participation if you are on site.
We ask you to please stay home and not attend ComNet24 if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
If you have COVID-19, suspect you have COVID-19, or have had a COVID-19 exposure, please contact us at comnet24@comnetwork.org to discuss a registration refund.
Additional FAQs
How can I support ComNet24?
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 comnet24@comnetwork.org and we’ll be in touch as quickly as possible.