Project Engagement

The CNCF Maintainer Summit is an exclusive event for the people behind our projects to gather face-to-face, collaborate, and celebrate the projects that make “Cloud Native.” Programming will be focused on sharing best practices, diving into contributing processes, and solving common problems across projects to enrich our great community of maintainers.

Note: Separate registration is required for the Maintainer Summit. Eligibility requirements apply. Must be registered for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon.

Projects will have the opportunity to deliver a 5-minute lightning talk on the day preceding KubeCon + CloudNativeCon. These Lightning Talks will spotlight the project and provide an avenue for projects to showcase their recent updates, features, and other highlights to their peers.

Do I need an all-access pass to attend the project lightning talks?
No, any in-person KubeCon + CloudNativeCon pass type can attend.

Stay informed and connected with the latest Graduated project updates! Graduated project videos will be shared prior to the Keynotes, Tuesday-Thursday, with exclusive insights into the progress of ongoing initiatives, new developments, and upcoming milestones.

Join us for the Maintainer Track sessions at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2026 and deep dive into the heart of the CNCF projects. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with project leaders, gain insights into the latest advancements, and collaborate with industry experts!

Contribfest sessions are tailored for all conference attendees interested in contributing to CNCF projects. They serve as a collaborative space where project maintainers can engage with both current and potential contributors to collectively tackle challenges and enhance the ecosystem.

Tuesday – Thursday

Location: Hall 5 | Project Pavilion

Swing by the Project Pavilion, located in the Solutions Showcase on Level 1 | Hall 5, to connect with project maintainers, ask questions, and exchange ideas. While you’re there, check out the Sticker Wall, Job Board, catch sessions on the Project Pavilion Stage, and join a Project Pavilion Tour to learn more about the CNCF projects and the community.

Project Kiosk Directory will be available in early September.

General Information

What is the value of participating in these project offerings?

CNCF Projects can benefit from participating in one or more project offerings by engaging with the open source community and teaching attendees about the project and how to contribute.

I am not a CNCF project. Can I still participate in these project offerings?

At this time, we are only accepting CNCF projects, TAGs, and SIGs to participate in the Project Pavilion.

If you are interested in contributing your project to CNCF or discussing how CNCF can help your project, please contact [email protected] and read the TOC repo.

Maintainer Summit

Where can I find more information about the Maintainer Summit?

The CNCF Maintainer Summit is an exclusive event for the people behind our projects to gather face-to-face, collaborate, and celebrate the projects that make “Cloud Native”. Note: This is not an event for general attendance. Several groups can attend:

• Sandbox Project Maintainers (as listed in project-maintainers.csv)
• Incubating & Graduated Project GitHub Org Members
• CNCF TAG Leads & the CNCF TOC

Additional information about the Maintainer Summit is shared directly with these groups.

In-Person Kiosk

If we host a Project Kiosk, do we receive passes for our kiosk staff?

We do not offer complimentary passes to projects hosting an in-person kiosk in the Project Pavilion. This has been a practice of the event since 2017. CNCF provides need-based scholarships, and we recommend checking the Attend section of the event website for more information.

What does the Project Kiosk include?

The kiosks provided onsite will include a monitor, a cabinet for storage during shift, and project logo signage. Any additional items/needs will have to be approved and ordered by the project.

What is the difference between a Full-Time kiosk and a Half-Day kiosk?

A project hosting a half-day kiosk will be sharing the kiosk with another project. One project will be hosting the kiosk during AM hours, and the other will host PM hours. A project hosting a full-time kiosk will host the kiosk for the entire duration of showcase hours during the week. Kindly note that Sandbox projects qualify to host a single kiosk shift only (ie, Wednesday AM only).

Can custom graphics be added to our Project Kiosk?

Custom graphics are not permitted in the Project Pavilion.

Are pull-up banners and/or table cloths permitted for our Project Kiosk?

Banners and tablecloths are not permitted as all kiosks within the Project Pavilion are to have a standard uniform look.

Can we ship swag to our Project Kiosk?

You are allowed to ship a limited number of boxes to your kiosk. There will be on-site storage available; however, it is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is not guaranteed. Shared kiosks cannot store items at the kiosk after their scheduled hours. Shipping information will be available upon request. Please email [email protected] for shipping information.

Can leads be collected at our kiosk?

Capturing leads is not a benefit of hosting a project kiosk. The purpose of the Project Pavilion is to educate the open source community on CNCF Projects, rather than presenting project or product sales pitches.

Can we host F&B at our kiosk?

Yes, projects will be able to order F&B to their kiosk at the project’s own cost. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Is there an option to have a virtual booth?

There will not be any virtual booths for the Project Pavilion.

Miscellaneous

Our sandbox project is graduating to incubating before the event. Can I participate in PR Support?

If you’re graduating to incubating before the event, the CNCF team will reach out to you when your project passes the TOC vote. We’ll be able to provide support and details at that time. Please note that projects have until eight weeks before the event to qualify for the benefits associated with the next level of project maturity.

Can we use our project logo on swag (hats, pins, t-shirts, etc.) to recognize project contributors without violating any CNCF trademark policies?

Please submit a service desk ticket with the CNCF team, sharing a mock-up and listing which item(s) are to be approved and information on who will be receiving these items. Please allow up to 5 business days for review. Note: Submitting a ticket does not guarantee approval.

Are scholarships available for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2026?

Yes, the Dan Kohn Scholarship Program exists to support individuals who may not otherwise be able to attend, including maintainers. Learn more and apply on the Scholarships page (coming soon).

Who should I contact with further questions?

Please reach out to us at [email protected] for further questions.