Where GovTech leaders learn to ship software in the age of AI

The 3-day training event for GovTech leaders. Learn from the practitioners deploying AI at mission scale, then take the playbook home.

NAVIGATE. Learn production-hardened strategies from leaders who've shipped in the toughest environments.‍
FORGE. Spend three days with the people who decide what gets built, who builds it, and who buys it. ‍

LEAD. Walk away with a plan and allies to drive real change.

Early bird pricing ends June 12. Register today.

GET $300 off

August 25-27 | Nashville, TN

Who is this event for

About Prodacity

The GovTech training event for what's next

Spend three days in Nashville with government decision-makers, practitioners, acquisition officers, and industry partners.

Every session is built around what works in real production environments, what went wrong and what was learned. That includes what AI-native tools are making possible right now, and what it takes to lead when the pace keeps accelerating.
‍
The path forward is Uncharted. The people who are leading are in this room.

Agenda | August 25 - 27, 2026

AUGUST 25

Day 1: Mission & Mapping

Keynotes, panels, and peer networking.

This is where we identify the bottlenecks and map where AI-native delivery is changing what’s possible.

AUGUST 26

Day 2: Signal & Navigate

Breakouts, working groups, and deep dives.

Hear from those who've shipped in critical environments, and how they’re adapting as tools accelerate delivery.

AUGUST 27

Day 3: Tactical Proof (Workshops)

Hands-on Workshops
‍
Strategies from Day 1 and 2 become actual playbooks you can take back to your team.

DOWNLOAD THE 2025 AGENDA

Speakers

Kent Beck

Author & Founder, Extreme Programming

Kent Beck created Extreme Programming and Test-Driven Development by doing what others said not to. Author of four influential books, former Tektronix, Apple, and Facebook engineer, longtime industry tinkerer obsessed with craft, AI, and how we treat each other while building software.

Mina Hsiang

Former Administrator, U.S. Digital Service

Mina Hsiang, former Administrator of the United States Digital Service (USDS), led the agency through a period of historic growth and modernization. Under her leadership, USDS launched the first free government tax filing tool and streamlined critical services for Social Security and veterans. Her work focused on shifting federal agencies toward high-security, cost-effective strategic investments that saved tens of billions of dollars.

Suzette Kent

Former Federal Chief Information Officer of the United States

Suzette Kent served as the fourth U.S. Federal Chief Information Officer at the Office of Management and Budget—the first woman in the role. Her career spans partner roles at Accenture and EY, and managing director at JP Morgan.

Jonathan Mostowski

President, Agile Acquisitions, LLC

Jonathan Mostowski is the President of Agile Acquisitions, drawing on 20+ years leading procurement strategy across federal government and private sector. Jonathan previously served at the US Digital Service, Defense Digital Service, and NGA, helping government buy and deliver technology better.

‍

Bryon Kroger

Founder & CEO, Rise8

Bryon Kroger, Founder and CEO of Rise8, previously co-founded Kessel Run, where he led enterprise-scale DoD DevSecOps transformation. A former Air Force targeteer turned digital innovator, he launched Rise8 in 2019 to help change agents deliver mission outcomes faster.

Lloyd Evans

Head of Cybersecurity, Rise8

Lloyd Evans is Head of Cybersecurity at Rise8 and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Throughout his career, he has supported federal agencies including the U.S. Department of War, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

More speakers announced soon

Stay tuned as we announce new speakers regularly.

What you'll learn

Continuous Delivery in Government
in an AI-native world‍

How high-performing teams ship mission-critical software fast.

Bureaucracy Navigation

‍Tested strategies for procurement modernization, policy workarounds, and the playbooks that turn blockers into solved problems.

Leadership & Culture Change
in the age of AI-native delivery

How the best government leaders build teams that ship, while changing minds inside resistant organizations.

Product & Mission Alignment

How to connect software delivery directly to outcomes so every sprint has a reason and every release advances something real.

Acquisition Modernization

New approaches for contracting, funding,
and governance that enable continuous,
AI-accelerated delivery.

Peer Intelligence

Direct access to the leaders and practitioners dealing with the same problems you are.

GET $300 OFF REGISTRATION

Who is this event for?

Government Leaders

Program managers, acquisition leads, and military officers who set the direction. You'll leave with peer intelligence from the agencies dealing with the same challenges, and a network that keeps paying off long after you're back at your desk.

Government Practitioners

Software engineers, product managers, and contracting officers. You'll pick up practical tools and tested playbooks from people who've delivered in systems like yours.

Acquisition & Contracting Officers

Modernization strategies from peers across agencies and the chance to sit across the table from the practitioners and partners building what you're buying.

Industry & Contractors

Learn what's working, what's stalled, where the priorities are shifting. Pressure-test your assumptions against real operational reality and build relationships with the people living it every day.

GET $300 OFF REGISTRATION

What to expect

Keynotes & strategic panels from people who've shipped in the hardest environments. Honest perspectives about what worked, what didn't, and how AI-native delivery is shaping what's possible.
Deep dives into AI in GovTech, continuous delivery, acquisition modernization, product management, and culture change through the lens of a world where building is faster.
Peer networking with the people actually doing this work. Senior government leaders, practitioners, and industry partners in the same room, sharing how they’re adapting to faster delivery cycles and rising expectations.
Hands-on workshops where the strategies from Days 1 and 2 become a playbook you take back and apply, designed for organizations navigating AI-accelerated delivery.
Earn CPE credits while building the skills need to lead and operate in modern delivery environments.

GET $300 OFF REGISTRATION

The frontier

A venue worth exploring

Change thrives in new environments—and Music City delivers. Centrally located, Nashville offers more than convenience. It’s a backdrop for reinvention. With its bold tech scene and deep-rooted culture of creativity, the city reflects the same spirit that drives Prodacity: risk-takers and dreamers building what’s next.

Category 10 is steps from Broadway and offers the ultimate setting for an unforgettable Prodacity experience. Formerly Wildhorse Saloon, there is no other venue like this newly remodeled, 67,000-square-foot multi-level complex - it is the place to be.

After a full day of sessions:

Music and Entertainment: Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Food: Hot chicken, high-end restaurants, and everything in between. Nashville is a growing foodie capital.
Culture: Centennial Park, the Frist Art Museum, vibrant murals all over the city.

Pricing

Early access pricing available through June 12. Government and group rates available.

This is a table cell

Government

Industry

groups of 4+

Full price

$695

$1795

20% off

Early Bird
‍through 6/12

$495

$1495

20% off

With $300 off code
‍through 6/12

^$195

^$1195

20% off

Pass includes access to all sessions, breakfast, lunch, and daily snacks.

20% off for groups of 4+

Request your code below for $300 off registration

Need to justify your attendance?

For military: get your justification letter

For federal/civilian agencies: get your justification letter

Frequently asked questions

Who is Prodacity for?

Government leaders, practitioners, acquisition professionals, and industry partners who care about shipping software in government. If your job involves digital transformation, procurement, or organizational change in a defense or civilian agency, this is built for you.

What can I expect to learn?

AI is reshaping how agencies think about what to build, how to buy it, and how fast to move. Prodacity gives you the tools to navigate that shift — strategies for continuous software delivery, getting past bureaucratic blockers, leading culture change, modernizing acquisition, and connecting product work to mission outcomes. Every session is built to give you something you can actually put to work when you get back.

Will I be eligible for Continuing Education Credits?

Yes. Government attendees can get CPE or CLP credits. The final agenda determines total awardable credits.

What is the Day 3 Workshop?

An intensive where the strategies from Days 1 and 2 become tactical playbooks for your specific situation. Stay tuned for more information.

Can I speak or sponsor?

Yes. Prodacity has the hardest stage in GovTech to earn. Fill out this form to submit your speaking proposal by July 8, 2026 or reach out to sponsorships@rise8.us to request a sponsorship prospectus.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund if you cancel by July 1. Half refund by August 1. After that, non-refundable.

What is there to do in Nashville?

Live music on Broadway, the Grand Ole Opry, hot chicken, the Frist Art Museum. Nashville has a lot going on and Category 10 is in the middle of all of it.

What's the dress code?

Smart casual. It's a working event, not a formal one.

How do I get to Category 10?

Category 10 is in downtown Nashville. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is about 20 minutes away by rideshare. Most downtown hotels are within walking distance of the venue.

Explore Past Events

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Justin Fanelli: Modernizing the Navy

Barry O’Reilly: Unlearning & the Lean Enterprise

Bess Dopkeen: Breaking Bureaucracy

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