Interested in the CreatorCon Hackathon?
We are too.
If you are wondering what this hands-on competition is all about, you've come to the right spot.
First, click below to watch Senior Developer Advocates Allen Andreas and Travis Toulson talk through what the Hackathon is all about. Then, keep scrolling for a long-form interview with the two of them, detailing everything you need to know to be prepped and ready for Hackathon day.
We can't wait to see you there!
Add the CreatorCon Hackathon to your Knowledge 2025 Agenda by clicking here!
Not registered for CreatorCon? Click here to start the process!
What is the CreatorCon Hackathon, and why is it such a big part of the CreatorCon experience?
Travis Toulson: The CreatorCon Hackathon is such a big part of the experience because, as a developer, a lot of times you're working on what your customer needs, what your employer needs. The CreatorCon Hackathon is a time where you get to build what you want.
Maybe it's an idea you're passionate about with a very practical purpose, or maybe it's something that's just completely fun. Either way, the CreatorCon Hackathon is the place where you get to take those ideas in your head that you've always wanted to do and sit down with a team to make them real.
Allen Andreas: I would say, one, it's part of the name, right? CreatorCon - so you're creating something.
The other piece is that a lot of the hands-on time for attendees is during labs, which fill up very quickly when the Agenda Builder goes live. This is your surefire way to get in there, get hands-on experience, work with a team, and build things out. This is your chance to have a 4- or 5-person team with different personas, splitting up the duties and working on different things.
What kind of projects do you usually see people building? Is it a big range?
Travis Toulson: I’ve seen everything from practical business solutions, like managing an energy grid or running a nonprofit, to fun stuff like a movie theater food service or, in some cases, like my team last year, where we made a Pokémon-style game on the ServiceNow platform. It’s really whatever you want it to be.
Let’s talk a little bit about who can participate. Is the Hackathon just for developers?
Allen Andreas: No, it’s open to everybody. We're talking about project managers, business analysts, really anyone who wants to get more hands-on with the platform in a free-form way.
You're not working on customer problems; you’re using your imagination to build whatever you want. The different categories guide you. We have one that’s open to anything and everything, and then others that are a bit more confined. But it’s really about getting that hands-on experience and having fun.
Would you say it’s beginner-friendly?
Allen Andreas: I would definitely say it’s beginner-friendly. The categories help guide you, and ServiceNow has done an amazing job making the platform low-code, no-code. The platform is beginner-friendly, and so is the Hackathon.
In terms of teams, do you need to have a team already to sign up? What if you’re going solo?
Travis Toulson: You don’t have to have a team. We’ll help you find one. We’ll help put you on a team that fits you. The goal is for people to come, have fun, and get to create cool stuff.
Allen Andreas: To add to that, we have a set time for team formation. It’s not like you show up and it’s go-time.
There’s a session where you can meet others and form teams. If you don’t have a group already, we’ll help fill the gaps. People can mingle beforehand, but once team formation starts, that’s when you really get to meet and form teams.
Travis Toulson: You don’t have to be a developer to participate. We've had designers join in the past, and there’s more to a hackathon than just development. You might have to put together a pitch video or some kind of presentation, so having people with different skill sets is really advantageous. You can bring whatever skills you have and work together with your team.
Can you talk about the rules, the judging criteria, how to sign up, and how long the event lasts?
Allen Andreas: The hackathon is broken into four sessions at Knowledge.
To start, there's a team formation period at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, where you can come alone or as part of a group and get your team together. If you're ready to go, you can register your team right away. We'll have tables with signage and QR codes that link to the hackathon website for registration, and we use ServiceNow for all the registration, which is nice!
Add the Team Formation Session to your Knowledge 2025 Agenda by clicking here!
Once the teams are formed, the first session will blend with the registration process. Then, session three is when the Hackathon officially begins at 4:00 PM, and it lasts until midnight. If you need time to form your team, that’s fine, you can still participate even if you're a bit late. The 8-hour countdown starts at 4:00, and you’ll have until midnight to work.
Add the Registration Completion Session to your Knowledge 2025 Agenda by clicking here!
Add the Official CreatorCon Hackathon to your Knowledge 2025 Agenda by clicking here!
The fourth session, we call it "Crowning a Champion." That happens near the end of the day on Wednesday, May 7. We’ll announce the winners for each category, along with runners-up and honorable mentions. You don't have to win to be recognized, as there are plenty of awards, and everyone who participates gets a hackathon pin.
Add the Crowning a Champion Session to your Knowledge 2025 Agenda by clicking here!
What do participants need to bring? What kind of support will be available for the teams during the 8 hours?
Travis Toulson: Participants should bring their laptop and any tools they need, whether you're a developer or a designer. We provide food, snacks, drinks, and internet access, so really, all you need is yourself and your laptop.
As for support, we have Gurus available to help throughout the event. Allen and I will also be there to answer questions and assist with any problems that come up. We’re here to make sure everyone has the support they need, and we can call in additional help if needed.
How do the prizes work?
Allen Andreas: This year, we have a couple of initiatives. If you bring someone who’s never been to a hackathon before, you’ll get your name entered into a drawing for some cool prizes. You don’t have to win the hackathon to be eligible for this.
Then, during the "crowning a champion" session, we’ll award prizes for the winners in each of the four categories, plus an overall winner. We also have runners-up and honorable mentions. And, as a promise, all the prizes are small enough to fit in your carry-on luggage. No giant, unmanageable prizes! But if you don't mind, you can always donate it to me. I love gifts!
Travis Toulson: First prize is an elephant.
Allen Andreas: That was my secret plan all along, I’ve always wanted one, and this was my chance!
Can you talk a little about the vibes at the CreatorCon Hackathon? What’s the atmosphere like?
Travis Toulson: It really depends on the team you’re on. For some teams, it’s very chill and relaxed. Others can be very intense, focused, and competitive. It’s important to find a team that matches your vibe. But no matter what, it’s fun. Even if you’re not aiming for the crown, it’s still a great time. Just make sure you’re on a team that aligns with what you’re looking for!
How has the Hackathon evolved over the years?
Travis Toulson: The spirit of the hackathon has stayed the same, and that aspect has been really cool. In terms of how it's evolved, the first hackathon I participated in went out to a vote. There weren’t judges, it was just a community vote. You put together your pitch video, sent it out, and everyone voted on it.
Now, there are actual judges who understand the products, so there's a more curated eye looking at it. It’s been cool to see that evolve. And of course, the snacks have definitely gotten better.
Could you share any memorable or unexpected moments that come to mind from previous years of participating in the Hackathon?
Travis Toulson: There are two moments that stand out for me. One was when I wasn’t originally participating, but a team came across a problem that I had been discussing with someone in the ServiceNow Community. They found me and asked if I could help. I ended up going over and helping them find a solution, which was a cool experience. It’s one of those moments when you realize you can bring in extra help from outside the Hackathon to solve a problem quickly.
Allen Andreas: I’ve heard some great stories about the pitch video portion of the Hackathon. In the past, there was a team that created a zoo-themed application. Their pitch video involved someone running around like a monkey, being chased by a zookeeper. The video showed how the animals could break out of their cage, and their app helped keep the animals happy, fed, and content, so they wouldn’t want to escape. It was a fun, creative approach!
And if you ever want to see more of the vibe from previous years, you can check out a two-hour segment of last year’s Hackathon on YouTube. It shows some of the great content and behind-the-scenes moments. You’ll see the fun atmosphere we try to create.
Travis Toulson: The other moment that sticks with me is from last year when my wife and I were on the same team. She almost killed me because I wasn’t understanding what she wanted to do with the app! That definitely added some interesting dynamics to the experience.
Allen Andreas: Ah, the relationship aspect of the Hackathon, enter at your own risk! But it’s all part of the fun, right? It really comes back to forming your team and making sure everyone is aligned.
What has it taken to plan and execute an event like the CreatorCon Hackathon, and how do you balance the fun aspect with the structure?
Allen Andreas: It starts with understanding who’s attending. It's all about the Community. You have to put yourself in their shoes: What do they like? What works best for them? A big part of our preparation involved going through surveys. It's important to fill out those surveys at the end because they help us shape future events. We spoke to attendees from last year’s Hackathon and asked what they liked, what didn’t work, what we could improve.
Additionally, we’ve made sure that every team has over 100 instances to work with, which undergo rigorous checks to ensure they’re ready to go. This means most of the plugins people need are activated and set up in advance. We also focused on the little details: snacks, table sizes, and information flow. Everything is designed to streamline the experience. Even down to the pins, prizes, and judges. These things have all been carefully planned out.
What does the CreatorCon Hackathon mean to you personally?
Travis Toulson: For me, it’s one of the best opportunities to work with people I don’t normally get to collaborate with.
You meet a ton of people from different industries, and the coolest part is that when you’re in the Hackathon, it doesn’t matter what company you work for. You get to form your own team, work on a project you’re passionate about, and just have fun. It’s an amazing chance to build something cool while hanging out with awesome people.
Allen Andreas: For me, the CreatorCon Hackathon is a bit of a hidden gem. People know about it, but it’s one of those experiences that really stands out if you want to get the most out of Knowledge.
It’s like going to Disney World for the seventh or eighth time and finding something new each time. At Knowledge, there’s always the risk of burnout with all the sessions. But the Hackathon is your chance to step back, build memories, and create something special.
It’s rare that so many people from different backgrounds come together like this. The Hackathon is a chance to work with this dream team and learn from one another.
If you could pick one word to describe the CreatorCon Hackathon experience, what would it be?
Allen Andreas: Memorable. That’s the word I’d go with.
Travis Toulson: I’m going with fun. It’s just fun.
Not yet registered for CreatorCon?
