PHILADELPHIA — The Amplify Philly House, Philadelphia’s coordinated presence at SXSW, will return for a second year to promote and celebrate the city as a hub for innovation across multiple industries such as technology, arts and music.
Organized by REC Philly, Witty Gritty and Philly Startup Leaders, the 2019 Amplify Philly House will highlight companies, entrepreneurs, musicians and technologies established and growing in Philadelphia. The Amplify Philly House is back in the same location as last year, a two-story restaurant on one of Austin’s busiest corridors – 6th Street. The activation will run for three full days and nights from Saturday, March 9 through Monday, March 11, and will feature close to 50 hours of Philadelphia-centric programming.
For the the first time, Amplify Philly is hosting six official SXSW panels this year. These sessions receive the added benefit of being included on official SXSW programming lineups and receive additional promotion through the conference’s channels.Twenty-four leaders from the Philadelphia area will be recognized as official SXSW speakers, and the speaker line-up can be seen on the SXSW website.
“We’re extremely proud of the programming we’ve put together this year,” said Michelle Freeman, CEO of Witty Gritty and Amplify Philly co-organizer. “All of the activities we have planned — from panels and networking opportunities to music showcases and wellness activities — will show SXSW attendees what truly makes Philadelphia special. People who come to the Amplify Philly House will get to see firsthand why our city’s reputation is on the rise, and we think that this experience will make them want to get in on all of the exciting things that are happening in the City of Brotherly Love.”
Amply Philly House Programming:
Daytime programming in the Amplify Philly House will include voices from Philadelphia and beyond. On March 9, panels include tech-focused conversations like “All of the Things: How IoT is Shaping the Future of Cities,” and will take a global approach with a discussion hosted by the City of Philadelphia focused on strategies for entering the U.S. market and the role that immigration policy plays in those plans.
On March 10, programming will look at how women are transforming industries across the country; the key ingredients for a successful, burgeoning film industry in cities; and answering the question, “Can Cities Be Local & Global?” with a panel hosted by Urban Consulate.
Sessions on March 11 will have attendees thinking big picture with the “A Healthy Diagnosis: The Heart & Infrastructure of Cities” panel and, as the day goes on, discussions focused on the intersection of civics and the creative community. Additionally, WXPN’s Program Director and On-Air Host, Bruce Warren will host a live artist interview.
Evening programming will highlight Philadelphia’s deep pool of creative talent, featuring three nights of live music and DJs. Saturday, March 9 will include a “Philly Loves Philly” event, presented by Flygirrl and featuring a performance by Rich Medina. The “Amplify Philly House Party” returns on March 10, with DJ Aktive and, for the fourth year in a row, Philadelphia legend DJ Jazzy Jeff. The 2019 Amplify Philly Official Music Showcase on March 11, presented by WXPN, will feature a lineup of all Philly-based musicians, including: Foxtrot & the Get Down, GREAT TIME, Ali Awan and Killiam Shakespeare. Additional musical acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
“The Amplify Philly initiative is the perfect example of how Philadelphia’s tight knit community can come together and produce great results,” said Dave Silver, Co-Founder of REC Philly and Amplify Philly co-organizer. “From our bootstrap approach to fundraising, to the diverse programming lineup we’ve put together — no other city does it like us. We’re excited to put Philadelphia in the spotlight again at SXSW, and show attendees what our city has to offer.”
Other programming at the Amplify Philly House includes a chance to connect with Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs startups and staff at their lounge or during one of their daytime programs; an opportunity to start your day off with City Fit Girls for some morning wellness activities; and a VR experience with Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.
Returning Amplify Philly sponsors include: Arcweb Technologies, Ballard Spahr, Chariot Solutions, Comcast NBCUniversal, Guru, Independence Blue Cross, PHLCVB, StartupPHL, Temple University Office of Alumni Relations, University City Science Center, University of Pennsylvania – Penn Center for Innovation and the Pennovation Center, Visit Philadelphia, and Zivtech.
New sponsors for 2019 include: Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), CMI/Compas, Drexel University, Move to Philly, Mogulette, Green and Spiegel, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, Linode, Machine Q, QUIL, RCCB Law, Rowan University, Scale Factor, Vanguard Innovation Studio, Volpe & Koenig, and WXPN/World Cafe.
Additional in-kind services have been provided by: Fine Line Supply Co. (printing partner), Mid Atlantic FX (production partner), Avenue West (design partner), Tony Luke’s, La Colombe, Tastykake, and Hootboard.
Other SXSW Activities:
Amplify Philly will also host a lounge and exhibit in the SXSW Trade Show at the Austin Convention Center. This will connect Philadelphia with thousands of people a day from all over the world, beginning Sunday, March 10 through Wednesday, March 13.
Pre-SXSW Activities:
Prior to the group’s departure, Amplify Philly will host a pre-party and briefing meeting at Linode on Wednesday, February 27 to provide an overview of planned programming and give attendees a chance to get to know their fellow Philadelphians who are traveling to SXSW. Philadelphia businesses and residents who will be at SXSW 2019 are encouraged to attend the meeting and can register online.
Additional programming details and updates will be made available on amplifyphilly.com and on the initiative’s social media accounts (@amplifyphilly on Twitter and Instagram).
About Amplify Philly:
Amplify Philly brings the best of Philly’s diverse business, culture, and tech communities into the international spotlight. Our goal is to attract the best talent, clients, and consumers to live, work, and play in Philadelphia. Since 2016, Amplify Philly has represented Philadelphia through exhibitions, concerts, panels, and other interactive activities.
Amplify Philly is an initiative led by REC Philly, Witty Gritty, Philly Startup Leaders and a planning group comprised of leaders from a cross section of industries — technology, art, music, media, business and government. Amplify Philly sponsorships are managed by Philly Startup Leaders (a 501c3).