CodeMash Conference
CodeMash Conference is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that runs an annual multi-day developer conference at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, serving roughly 2,500 professional software developers and their families with sessions, workshops, and maker-family programming, funded via ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersSandusky, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CodeMash Conference does
CodeMash Conference is an Ohio-incorporated 501(c)(6) nonprofit that has produced an annual multi-day developer conference at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio since 2006. The event educates professional software developers on current practices, methodologies, and technology trends across multiple platforms and languages, and is positioned as the largest multi-day developer event in the Midwest, regularly drawing around 2,500 attendees that include a Tuesday/Wednesday Pre-Compiler workshop track and a Thursday/Friday main conference. The organization is 100% volunteer-run with no paid staff or salaries; it is governed by a volunteer board of directors led by co-founder and President Brian Prince (Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase), Treasurer Jason Follas (Rocket Mortgage), and Secretary Alyssa Diaz (Stitch Fix), with 120+ volunteers supporting each event.
The product surface bundles a core multi-day technical conference with an integrated set of sub-brands: KidzMash (a free family track for attendees' children), the Maker Space (3D printing, electronics, soldering labs), Pre-Compilers (4-hour deep-dive workshops), Lightning Talks (6-minute community talks), and a Capture the Flag (CTF) security competition. Supporting technology includes a custom QR-code mobile app for sponsor-attendee information exchange and Code of Conduct reporting, a CrowdCompass AttendeeHub mobile app for schedule and feedback, Discord for community engagement, Eventbrite for ticketing, and a YouTube/Pluralsight distribution layer for archived sessions. Distribution relies on community channels (X, Discord, blog, email newsletter) and self-serve web/Eventbrite ticketing rather than paid sales channels.
Revenue is generated through two streams: ticket sales (the organization explicitly targets "dirty cheap" pricing, with two-day tickets historically around $350) and corporate sponsorships (booth space, badge scanning, sponsor sessions). Sponsors documented in the record include regional and national brands spanning financial services (Sherwin-Williams, CoverMyMeds, M&T Bank, Jumpstart Inc., Bold Penguin), technology (Pluralsight, Nexmo, Camunda partner), and event production vendors. The 2022 cycle saw sponsorships come in 30% below budget and ticket sales about 50% below normal, prompting the organization to cut over $150K from its budget while preserving core operations. Forward strategy: geographic expansion via CodeMash East (Spotsylvania, Virginia, June 17-18, 2027) with founding sponsor InfernoRed.
CodeMash Conference firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CodeMash Conference
- Legal name
- CodeMash Conference, an Ohio Non-Profit Organization
- Website
- https://codemash.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CodeMash Conference is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that runs an annual multi-day developer conference at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, serving roughly 2,500 professional software developers and their families with sessions, workshops, and maker-family programming, funded via ticket sales and corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CodeMash Conference industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Developer Conference
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Speaker, Program & Abstract Management Services (THAHACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps (EDAMALAD)
Keywords
Where CodeMash Conference is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sandusky
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
CodeMash Conference business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: CodeMash generates revenue primarily through ticket sales. Tickets are sold for conference admission. The conference keeps prices 'dirty cheap' and affordable. Historical pricing was approximately $350 for two-day tickets and higher for four-day tickets. Sponsorship contributions also form a significant revenue stream, though sponsorships were noted to be approximately 30% below budget in 2022.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors contribute financially in exchange for booth space, badge scanning access, sponsor sessions, and brand visibility. Various sponsorship tiers and opportunities are available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Two-day ticket (Thursday/Friday only) |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Four-day ticket (includes Pre-Compilers) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | KidzMash - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
CodeMash Conference product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CodeMash Conference is an annual multi-day developer conference held at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio that educates software developers on current practices, methodologies, and technology trends across multiple platforms and programming languages. The event combines world-class technical sessions, hands-on Pre-Compiler workshops, a Maker Space with 3D printing and electronics labs, a KidzMash family track, Capture the Flag security competition, Lightning Talks, and networking in a casual indoor waterpark resort setting.
Product overview
CodeMash Conference is a single annual conference event (not a platform product) that educates developers on technology practices, methodologies, and trends. The core offering is the main CodeMash Conference held annually in January at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Supporting program elements include KidzMash (free family track), Pre-Compilers (pre-conference workshops), Maker Space (with 3D Printing Lab and Electronics Lab), Lightning Talks, Capture the Flag competition, and a mobile app. A new regional variant, CodeMash East, is planned for 2027 in Virginia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KidzMash: A free family track for families of CodeMash attendees, including sessions, activities, and programs for children of all ages. Features KidzMash Sessionz, Divez, Hangoutz, and Makerz.
- CodeMash Maker Space
- CodeMash CTF (Capture the Flag)
- Lightning Talks
- CodeMash East
Products and services
- CodeMash Conference Annual multi-day developer conference held at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, educating developers on current practices, methodologies, and technology trends across multiple platforms and development languages. Includes technical sessions, workshops, networking events, and social activities.
- KidzMash Free family track running all four days of the CodeMash conference, offering sessions, activities, crafts, and hangout space for children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- CodeMash Maker Space Hands-on maker space at the conference featuring a 3D printing lab, electronics lab, and traditional maker presentations. Includes sessions on soldering, electronics, CAD modeling, and various craft activities.
- Pre-Compilers Pre-conference intensive 4-hour hands-on workshop sessions held Tuesday and Wednesday before the main CodeMash conference, covering various technology topics in depth.
- Capture the Flag (CTF) Timed cybersecurity competition at the conference with challenges worth varying point values, including both technical and non-technical puzzles. Open to all skill levels, including non-security professionals.
- CodeMash Mobile App Official mobile application for CodeMash attendees to view session schedules, customize personal schedules, submit session feedback, and receive urgent time-sensitive announcements. Available on Android and iOS, with web app version.
- CodeMash East Sister conference to the main CodeMash event, first edition scheduled for June 17-18, 2027 at Kalahari in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Expands CodeMash's regional developer conference model to the East Coast.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,500 attendees annually, making it the largest multi-day developer event in the Midwest
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CodeMash Conference
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CodeMash Conference technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature1 record
CodeMash Conference partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PluralsightcorePluralsight partnered with CodeMash to record and publish session videos from the conference on their platform. Videos were made available for free without requiring a subscription. A curated Pluralsight Path was also created for CodeMash 2020 content.
- Zagg StudioscoreZagg Studios (consisting of Missy Walko and Matthew Hopkins) provides photography, graphic design, and web design services for CodeMash. They have been involved since 2012 and manage the website and conference theme graphics. They are a key creative partner who historically has provided massive discounts.
- Gaming NomadsminorGaming Nomads provides Laser Tag and Artemis spaceship simulator experiences at CodeMash. They have been recurring partners providing gaming entertainment for attendees.
- Sea Dog Game StudioscoreSea Dog Game Studios (Brian and Elizabeth Carnes) coordinates the 3D printing lab and CAD modeling activities at CodeMash. They are a key partner who historically provided massive discounts and support for the conference.
- Kalahari ResortcoreKalahari Resort is the exclusive venue for CodeMash in Ohio. They offer special attendee rates and have worked with CodeMash to provide flexible terms. The conference also sells out nearby hotels. Kalahari provides the conference center space, dining facilities, and the waterpark. The partnership has enabled CodeMash to offer discounted hotel rates.
- ColortoneminorColortone is a vendor that has worked with CodeMash to provide flexible terms during challenging financial periods.
- Tom's Limo ServiceminorTom's Limo service provides shuttle transportation from Cleveland airport for CodeMash attendees. An alternative carpool coordination option is available through CodeMash Discord.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CodeMash Conference competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Strange Loop: St. Louis-based annual multi-day, multi-track developer conference focused on emerging languages and practices. Most directly comparable to CodeMash on community-run scale, technical breadth, and Midwest U.S. footprint.
- Devoxx: Belgian-rooted community-organized developer conference franchise. Strongly comparable as a community-led, multi-track, sponsor-supported developer conference targeting working software engineers.
- Stir Trek: Ohio-based single-day developer conference organized by community volunteers. Shares CodeMash's Ohio roots, volunteer organizing culture, and Heartland developer audience.
- That Conference: Wisconsin-based multi-day community developer conference held at a Kalahari waterpark resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Near-clone of CodeMash's community/family/resort model and a primary Midwestern direct peer.
- GOTO Conference: Independent multi-track developer conference series with strong community/sponsor model and broad technical content spanning languages and platforms. Comparable on programming depth, sponsor-driven revenue model, and practitioner audience.
- PyCon: Community-run, volunteer-organized nonprofit conference for the Python ecosystem. Closely comparable governance (nonprofit, volunteer), business model (ticket + sponsorship), and content/community ethos.
Broad incumbents
- KubeCon + CloudNativeCon: CNCF's flagship cloud-native developer conferences. Larger in scale and broader in theme but directly competes for the same sponsor/attendee mindshare and runs a comparable ticketing + sponsorship model.
- OSCON (O'Reilly): Historically O'Reilly's flagship open-source developer conference — broader and commercial in scale but addresses the same practitioner audience with multi-day, multi-track technical content funded by sponsorships and tickets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CodeMash Conference social profiles
Digital presenceCodeMash Conference financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CodeMash Conference leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
CodeMash Conference funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CodeMash Conference M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CodeMash Conference
What does CodeMash Conference do?
CodeMash Conference is an annual multi-day developer conference held at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio that educates software developers on current practices, methodologies, and technology trends across multiple platforms and programming languages. The event combines world-class technical sessions, hands-on Pre-Compiler workshops, a Maker Space with 3D printing and electronics labs, a KidzMash family track, Capture the Flag security competition, Lightning Talks, and networking in a casual indoor waterpark resort setting.
Is CodeMash Conference a public or private company?
CodeMash Conference is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CodeMash Conference founded?
CodeMash Conference was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CodeMash Conference based?
CodeMash Conference is headquartered in Sandusky, United States, in the North America region.
How does CodeMash Conference make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships.
Who are CodeMash Conference's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Strange Loop, Devoxx, Stir Trek, That Conference, GOTO Conference and PyCon. Broad incumbents are KubeCon + CloudNativeCon and OSCON (O'Reilly).
Does CodeMash Conference have an API?
No public API is recorded for CodeMash Conference.
What industry is CodeMash Conference in?
CodeMash Conference's product category is Developer Conference. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAI, Speaker, Program & Abstract Management Services, with a secondary code of EDAMALAD, Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps. Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 8741.