PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Kenney announced his participation in South by Southwest (SXSW) 2017. This will be the first time any Philadelphia mayor has been part of the interactive conference and festival. He will travel to Austin, Texas as part of a delegation organized by The United States Conference of Mayors and the City of Austin.

Mayor Kenney will join other mayors from across the country for The United States Conference of Mayors track during opening weekend of the 2017 SXSW Interactive Festival, March 10-12. The mayoral track will connect several of the nation’s forward-thinking mayors with top innovators in the technology, entrepreneurship, media, nonprofit, philanthropy and creative sectors. Attendees will take part in panels, meet-ups, roundtables and other activities.

“I am excited to join the conversation this year at South by Southwest in order to share Philadelphia’s story on the national stage,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Philadelphia is a city of innovation; it is in our DNA. We have experimented with and developed creative and influential ideas that have gone on to have a profound impact on the world. SXSW is considered to be one of the most influential technology conferences in the world, and I look forward to engaging with the talented individuals who will be there. This is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in a variety of industries, while also highlighting our own thriving startup and tech communities.”

For the second year, Philadelphia will have a coordinated presence at SXSW. Amplify Philly – a coalition of local startups, corporations, musicians, and other partners organized by the nonprofit Philly Startup Leaders – will promote Philadelphia as a hub for startups. The group will also highlight the companies, music, and technologies created here. The City’s Department of Commerce, through its StartupPHL platform, will be a sponsor of Amplify Philly again this year.