An authoring system is provided for generating a demonstration payload, which is installable on a target electronic device to create a demonstration environment on the target electronic device. The authoring system includes a build interface operative to receive authoring inputs which specify characteristics of the demonstration environment. The authoring inputs include specification of promotional media to be played during a promotional mode of the demonstration environment, and specification of mock user data to be accessible during a tryout mode of the demonstration environment. The system further includes an assembler module operative to generate the demonstration payload based upon the authoring inputs.