There are 99 events listed in this year’s calendar for Philly Tech Week.
Ninety-nine.
That’s an embarrassment of riches to pick through. While some are decidedly aimed at the technologists among us (hello, “Building Wi-Fi Connected IoT Solutions with Arduino and AWS”), others hold appeal for even the most avowed Luddites (“Positivity + Productivity: Rooftop Yoga + Networking at The Yard”).
In between are a number of events that sound intriguing to the curious non-technologist in us all:
Taking inspiration from pop culture
What can an Afrofuturist technological utopia teach us here and now? “Creating a Digital Wakanda: Bringing Black Wall Street Online” proposes that the ways entrepreneurs of color strategize and leverage technology can affect enormous changes. The two-hour session will include a panel discussion with technology experts as well as one-on-one coaching sessions for entrepreneurs. The Katika mobile app and platform will be showcased and demonstrated as a resource that attendees can use for their businesses. | May 4, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church West, 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave.
How does connection make empowerment accessible? In “Sens8: Case Studies in Accessible Empowerment,” Ideate of Resources for Human Development reframes the idea of “technology for the disabled” into “strengths amplified by technology.” The session includes discussion and demonstrations of both custom-built and readymade tech for individuals identifying as disabled. | May 7, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Resources for Human Development, 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, Suite 126.
They got game
What is orange and black and gets Philadelphia sports fans cheering? Well, if it’s got googly eyes, it’s Gritty, and if it’s part of the Overwatch League, it’s the gamers that make up the Philadelphia Fusion. Both will be topics of discussion during Introduced at Technical.ly on May 9 (9am-5pm), the one-day conference that incorporates programming, demos, networking and personalized connections. Gritty lovers, check out “The Brains Behind Gritty: How One Mascot Went Viral” (10 a.m.-11 a.m).
Rumor has it that the beloved Flyers mascot will be making an appearance.
Meanwhile, for fans of the Overwatch League and the Philadelphia Fusion—whose uniforms are orange and black—Tucker Roberts (the strategic advisor of the Overwatch Team for Comcast Spectator and president of the Philadelphia Fusion) and Joe Marsh (VP of finance for Comcast Spectator and chief business officer for the Philadelphia Fusion) will talk about the team, the League and the rise of esports at “The Two Hottest Industries in America: Esports and Sports Betting” (11 a.m.–12 p.m.).
Both events are part of the Grow track of programs at Introduced.
And for those die-hard gamers? Check out the “Drexel Student Games Showcase,” where you can help playtest student-made games at all stages of development—maybe even the next Fortnite-inspired sensation? | May 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Drexel University, Main Building, 3141 Chestnut St.
The PTW19 soundtrack
OK, so there’s no “official” soundtrack for PTW19 per se, but you can compile your own at the following:
- FRSWU Teen Music + Tech Festival Preview (Sunday, May 5, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. at Pennovation Center, 3401 Ferry Avenue)
- Cypher City Spotlight (Tuesday, May 7, 5 – 10 p.m. at Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street)
- IoT Demo Night: Feel the Vibrations (Thursday, May 9, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Bresslergroup, 1216 Arch Street, 7th floor)
- It all wraps up at the 2019 Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Derby & Arts Festival—celebrating art, Kensington businesses, and human-powered transit—that takes place on Saturday, May 11, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 2100 Trenton Ave., between York and Norris streets.
Read more tech-related news and content around Philly Tech Week at technical.ly.orggenerocity.org and via our website, philadelphiaweekly.com
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PTW’s Best of the Rest
Make sure you add these as well to your already packed calendar of Philly Tech Week events.
Kickoff Festival
A family-friendly outdoor arcade featuring all of the innovation that the local tech scene has to offer joins forces with a 27-year-old tradition of arts and culture in Philadelphia known as First Friday. An eclectic gathering of design showrooms and gallery community present the best in creativity and design in a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood. Download the Scavify app to complete the tasks while walking the footprint of the official festival and win prizes. Join the“PTW19 Buy Local Art Challenge” of spending $10,000 throughout the week to support the local artist economy. | May 3, 5 p.m-10 p.m. Throughout Old City. phillytechweek.com/events/ptw19
Science Carnival on the Parkway
Done in partnership with the Science Festival, this free event includes demonstrations, engaging experiments, geeky games and electrifying entertainment for the entire family. Returning to the newly-renovated Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the carnival promises to be the ultimate daylong science extravaganza. Stop by the Philly Tech Week tent to explore the basics of JavaScript coding to remix the classic video game, Pong. | May 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 222 N. 20th St. phillytechweek.com/events/ptw19
Freshwave Teen Music & Tech Festival
Inspired by SXSW, TED Talks and Comic-Con, the Freshwave (FRSHWV) Teen Music & Tech Festival is a youth-centered experience designed to inspire and excite. It is a playground for young music lovers, creatives and tech/gaming enthusiasts. | May 5, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Pennovation Works, 3401 Grays Ferry Avenue, phillytechweek.com/events/frshwv
Framing Philly’s Social Impact Scene
Join experts from some of the area’s top social impact organizations to learn how they are using technology to streamline their organizations, reach underserved populations and engage with new audiences. | May 6, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Parkway Central Library, Skyline Room, Fourth Floor, 1901 Vine St. phillytechweek.com/events/ptw19
Women in Tech Soiree
This event brings together some of the most talented, savvy and passionate women in the city for an evening of knowledge sharing while mixing and mingling over celebratory cocktails and fare. | May 7, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Comcast Technology Center, LIFT Labs, 1800 Arch St. https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
Dev Conference
Join us at the Drexel LeBow College of Business for this all-day event catered to developers, engineers and programmers. We’ll start the morning with a React workshop followed by a full afternoon of talks and panels regarding software development trends from industry experts across all skill levels followed by an exclusive happy hour at Landmark Americana in University City. | May 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Drexel LeBow College of Business, 3220 Market St. https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
Philly Startup Leaders Expo
This year’s Entrepreneur Expo, presented by Linode, is the Philly tech scene’s largest annual showcase of innovation and technology startup companies. A trade show with fewer suits and more fun, Entrepreneur Expo will host close to 140 local startups, all of whom arrive eager to show off their newest tech, biggest recent wins and goals for the coming year. | May 8, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St. https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
Introduced by Technical.ly
The second annual Introduced by Technical.ly returns at Convene CityView. This one-day conference brings engaging programming, demos, networking and personalized connections. Get introduced to new content, ideas, companies and more. The conference will attract 500 executives, technologists, entrepreneurs, government leaders and media from across the region. | May 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Convene CityView, 30 S. 17th St, 13th Floor. https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
PTW’s Signature Event
Celebrate the city’s technology and innovation community at this interactive local technology expo and reception inside the new Comcast Technology Center. Expect incredible views and plenty of surprises while more than 700 friends in tech toast to a bright future. | May 10, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch St. https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
Kensington Sculpture Derby
Originally established as a way to associate the name “Kensington” with the positive artist and maker community, the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Derby & Arts Festival has grown into a Philadelphia-wide attraction. Neighbors and new friends alike come out to experience the parade of sculptures and shop with artists and food vendors along Trenton Avenue, a wide cobblestone street that has been part of Kensington’s rich creative history for over a hundred years. | May 11, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Trenton Ave. between York and Norris St.https://2019.phillytechweek.com/
– Compiled by Technical.ly Staff
