The 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit to Convene Leaders for Economic Growth and Workforce Innovation
The October 15 event in Silver Spring will spotlight strategies for digital inclusion, economic opportunities, and regional coalition-building.
SILVER SPRING, MD – The 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit will convene state leaders, policymakers, and community advocates on October 15 to accelerate progress in advancing broadband, digital skills, and economic opportunities throughout the state. The full-day summit, running from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, carries the theme "Investing in Maryland's Future: Invest Today. Empower Tomorrow. Fueling Economic Growth and Workforce Innovation Through Digital Opportunity."
The summit will feature keynote speaker Nicol Turner Lee, Ph.D., of the Brookings Institution and author of Digitally Invisible, along with remarks from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, J.D. Together, they will highlight national digital inclusion trends and Maryland’s fiscal commitment to sustainable economic development.
"Digital opportunities are essential for shaping Maryland's future economic landscape," said Jinhee Kim, Ph.D., Associate Director and Associate Dean of the University of Maryland Extension, who will deliver welcome remarks alongside Ronnie Hammond, Director of the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband. "This summit creates a vital platform for examining our progress and building the partnerships necessary to drive continued growth."
Key Summit Highlights
Breakout Session Strategic Focus Areas: The summit will address critical components of digital opportunities through specialized breakout sessions covering workforce development, infrastructure and broadband access, community engagement, policy advocacy, digital skills training, and innovative local programs.
Partnership and Coalition Development: A "Partnership Speed Dating" session will facilitate rapid networking connections, followed by coalition-building activities designed to transform initial contacts into actionable regional partnerships.
Awards Recognition: The Maryland Digital Equity Champion Awards Ceremony will honor outstanding champions in four categories: Navigator, Practitioner, Program, and Workforce, celebrating the individuals and organizations driving digital inclusion across the state.
Policy and Investment Focus: Sessions will examine Maryland's budget allocations for technology initiatives, federal funding opportunities, and legislative pathways to strengthen statewide digital inclusion efforts.
Expert Panel Discussions
The summit will host diverse expertise and representation from leading national and statewide organizations, including the Office of Statewide Broadband, Maryland House of Delegates, LGBT Tech, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance,Rural Maryland Council, Urban Institute, Johns Hopkins, and numerous community-based organizations.
"We're at a critical juncture where digital skills directly translate to economic opportunity," said Isaias Tesfalidet, Project Director of UME’s Digital Literacy Project and summit. "The summit will help us identify sustainable strategies for ensuring all Marylanders can participate in the digital economy for decades to come, regardless of what the future political, social, and economic landscape brings."
Registration Information
Registration for the 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit closes October 8, with a limited number of same-day registrations available at the event. To register, please visit https://go.umd.edu/dos25registration. For additional event information and a detailed agenda, click here.
The summit is designed for workforce development professionals, broadband infrastructure specialists, community organization leaders, policymakers, educators, business leaders, and anyone committed to advancing digital opportunities in the state of Maryland. A networking reception, hosted by the Carroll County Technology and Innovation Council and CareerCatchers, Inc., will conclude the summit, starting at 4:30 PM, and provide additional opportunities for partnership development and a celebration of Maryland's digital equity progress.
Sponsors & CEU Information
The 2025 summit is presented by the University of Maryland Extension’s Marylanders Online initiative, in partnership with the College of Information and the Maryland Digital Equity Coalition. Comcast is the presenting sponsor, with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as the platinum sponsor. Space for this event was provided by Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) and is sponsored by Montgomery County Government. Comcast is the presenting sponsor for this year’s summit, and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MDC) is a platinum sponsor. Space for this event was provided by Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) and is sponsored by Montgomery County Government. To inquire about summit sponsorship opportunities, click here or email marylandersonline@umd.edu.
Attendees of the 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit are eligible to apply for 6 Health Education CECHs and 4 Category 1 Social Work CEUs. Additional information can be found here.
MONET Digital Navigator Training Certification
Summit attendees can earn a Digital Navigator certification by enrolling in a hybrid MONET (Marylanders Online Navigation Educator Toolkit) training. Training and certification cost is included with the purchase of a Summit ticket.
About The University of Maryland Extension
Marylanders Online is an initiative of the University of Maryland Extension (UME) and the College of Information (INFO), funded by the state, that aims to bridge the digital divide throughout the state by promoting digital equity. Marylanders Online aims to advance digital equity in Maryland by helping people get connected with devices, affordable internet, self-directed and guided training curricula, and ongoing technical support. To connect with a Digital Navigator for live, one-on-one support, Marylanders can dial 1-866-206-8467, Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5:00 PM, or email marylandersonline@umd.edu to schedule an appointment. For additional resources and information, visit marylandersonline.umd.edu.
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.