🏛️Schedule for 4th Annual Powerful IDEA Awards & Democracy Expo (in person)
Building the Future of Progressive Politics Together
June 24-25, 2025 | Capitol Turnaround, 700 M Street SE, Washington, DC
🎤 Co-Hosted by:
Reyna Walters-Morgan, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
Chuck Rocha, Founding Partner at Solidarity Strategies (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
🗓️ TUESDAY, JUNE 24: DEMOCRACY EXPO, CAREER FAIR & PANELS
Building Infrastructure for Progressive Success
🌅 10:00 AM - Building Power: Organizing for the Future
Start your day with insider access to the DNC's cutting-edge organizing strategy. Senior leadership will reveal how they're revolutionizing field programs through innovative principles, breakthrough technology, and hard-won lessons from recent cycles. Get exclusive insights into summer accountability efforts and discover how these strategic investments are reshaping the future of organizing.
🎤 Featuring:
Artie Blanco, DNC Vice Chair
Libby Schneider, DNC Deputy Executive Director
Morgan Hine, DNC National Training Director
Shelby Wiltz, DNC Political Director
⚡ 11:15 AM - Movements That Win: Lessons from the Frontlines
Dive deep into how national committees and organizations are architecting the future of campaign technology. This power-packed session spotlights emerging tools, next-generation infrastructure, and game-changing innovations to drive organizing success in the next cycle.
🎤 Featuring:
Rebecca Marques, Former VP of National Organizing at Reproductive Freedom for All
Eve Levenson, Former National Youth Vote Director for Harris for President
Nia Bentall, Senior Director, Mobilization & Partnerships with Swing Left
💻 12:30 PM - Next Gen Tech: Organizing in the Digital Era
Experience the future of political technology with leaders who are reshaping progressive organizing. Discover how movements are evolving to win in an increasingly digital landscape, featuring organizations that are redefining what's possible in political engagement.
🎤 Featuring:
Jose Nunez, Co-Founder at Contrast Campaigns
Erik Balsbaugh, Founder, At Dawn Campaigns
Shelby Cole, Chief Mobilization Officer at the DNC
Arthur Thompson, Chief Technology Officer at the DNC
📋 1:45 PM - Beyond 2024: Evolving the Campaign Playbook
Political organizing is at a critical inflection point. Join this essential conversation about transforming our approach to meet today's challenges. Our expert panel will deliver a candid assessment of what worked, what didn't, and why—plus unveil a blueprint for establishing integrated, modern strategies that put organizing at the center of campaign identity and voter connection.
🎤 Featuring:
Amanda Coulombe
Jose Nunez, Contrast Campaigns
Greta Carnes, Relentless and Rally
Lorenza Ramirez, Blueline
🏛️ 3:00 PM - The Future of the Democratic Party
Hear directly from rising stars and established leaders in Congress as they share their vision for the Democratic Party's evolution and impact.
🎤 Moderated by our Co-Hosts:
Reyna Walters-Morgan, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
Chuck Rocha, Founding Partner at Solidarity Strategies (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
🎤 Featuring:
Representative Jasmine Crockett
Representative Ro Khanna
Representative Rob Menendez
Representative Delia Ramirez
🏆 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25: AWARDS CEREMONY
Celebrating Excellence in Progressive Politics
🥂 5:30 PM - Reception & Blue Carpet
Network with progressive leaders, enjoy cocktails, and capture the moment on our Blue Carpet as we celebrate the extraordinary talent powering our democracy.
✨ 6:30 PM - Awards Ceremony
The main event! Join us for an inspiring evening recognizing excellence across progressive politics, featuring our nine prestigious Marquee Awards and 50 Winners from the community-nominated and voted categories.
🎤 Hosted by:
Reyna Walters-Morgan, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
Chuck Rocha, Founding Partner at Solidarity Strategies (Previous Powerful IDEA Award Winner)
✨ Lifetime Achievement: Congressman Steny Hoyer for 42+ years lifting others in progressive politics, especially for his ongoing support of the talent powering our politics.
🌟 Living Legend: Will Robinson, Founding Partner of The New Media Firm, who built our modern campaign infrastructure.
💪 Lee Saunders, Labor Leader: Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), for fighting for educators, working families, and our democracy.
🔥 Truth to Power: Maurice Mitchell, National Director of Working Families Party, for his unapologetic movement and thought leadership.
🚀 Next Up: Santiago Mayer, Founder/Executive Director of Voters of Tomorrow, 23-year-old founder mobilizing Gen Z voters.
👑 Hidden Figure: Emmy Ruiz, Former Political Director of the White House, and leader behind major political victories.
🎯Transforming Party: Ben Wikler, Former Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, for transforming his state party, mentoring other Chairs, and raising the bar for them to do the same.
⚡ Transforming Democracy: Jotaka Eaddy, Co-Founder of Black Women for. Her organizing model inspired all the other groups to organize for Harris and our democracy
🌱Transforming Community: Anathea Chino, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Advance Native Political Leadership Anathea Chino - Building Indigenous political leadership
📍 Event Details
📍 Location: Capitol Turnaround, 700 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
🎫 Registration: Get Your Tickets Here
💻 Can't Make It In Person? Join us virtually on June 26th for our Virtual Career Fair (1:00-4:00 PM ET)
🌟 Why This Matters
The Powerful IDEA Awards represent more than recognition—they're an investment in the future of progressive politics. As the only awards program dedicated exclusively to celebrating the people and organizations that power progressive politics, we're:
🎯 Retaining Top Talent by providing much-needed recognition in a field where success often happens behind the scenes
📚 Elevating Best Practices and creating learning opportunities across the movement
🔄 Building Cross-Sector Community that strengthens our entire progressive ecosystem
🌈 Diversifying Leadership by elevating voices that might otherwise be overlooked
💪 Sustaining Our Movement through the power of celebration and community
📞 Connect With Us
Join the conversation and stay updated:
🌐 Website: gainpower.org
📧 Email: awards@gainpower.org
📱 Follow: @gainpowerorg on all social platforms
GAIN Power is a platform that organizes networking, marketing, events, and other activities to support the community of people and organizations that power progressive politics. We serve as a hub and resource center for Democratic and Progressive campaigns, advocacy organizations, official offices, and the people and companies that provide products and services to them.
See you in DC! 🏛️✨