Public Welcomed to Participate in Geo:Code 2017, a Free Open Data Forum

Participate in Geo:Code 2017, a free open data forum

Geo:Code, a community-generated conference connecting residents with Hennepin County and open data, has expanded for 2017. People with all backgrounds, skills and ideas are encouraged to register.

Event details: 

• 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4
• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5
• Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central
• 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
• Breakfast and lunch will be served  

“For the third year, Geo:Code will be an opportunity to connect democracy with technology — and continue to have conversations with the community about what good open government data looks like and ways it can be put to use to serve residents,” Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene said.

The forum brings community members, geographers and technologists together to create solutions that improve public services, give residents better access to government data and make a difference in Twin Cities communities. 

“This year, we have expanded Geo:Code to engage even more residents. Everyone is welcome, whether or not they have technological expertise,” Andrew Rose, event coordinator, said. “The event is a time to brainstorm how to make public services more accessible and inclusive — that is why it is important for people with all interests and backgrounds to participate.”

New format for 2017

This year’s event will feature two tracks:

• County Camp: Unconference, including presentations about open data, geography and civic engagement
• Code Space: Code-a-thon to build an app or website that uses open data

Participants are welcome to partake in either or both tracks and to switch between tracks during the weekend. Space is limited, so organizers ask all attendees to register in advance.

Project examples

Over the past two years, discussions, sessions and projects covered topics as diverse as:

• Service design
• Accessibility
• Recreation
• Lo-fi prototyping
• Usability
• Transit and bicycle mapping
• Ways to reach representatives
• Ways to find public meeting spaces
• Food access
• Arts integration
• Why data matters to non-technology community

Learn more and register for Geo:Code 2017.

This year’s event is hosted by Hennepin County with partners Open Twin Cities and Hennepin County Library.