BarCamp Philly returns for its 15th year: How to join the idea bonanza

Lots of joy and potential are found from investing in curiosity. On Oct. 5, BarCamp Philly is gathering Philadelphia’s card-carrying members of the local curiosity crew for a one-day conference. 

Unlike traditional events, this is an “unconference,” which means there are no set speakers or topics. That’s right: no set speakers, keynote or otherwise — and it still turns out great. BarCamp Philly is a platform for designers, creatives, technologists, dreamers, movers, and shakers to express their ideas in a format of their choosing. 

There isn’t a required registration process. Come prepared with a talk (with or without a slide deck; we can provide whiteboards) and write your talk summary down on a provided notecard. Then let the fun begin.

What to expect

Attendees will vote on which presentations they want to hear the most and then sit in on their favorites from that list. 

Nearly any topic is welcome at BarCamp Philly (for truly out-of-left field ideas, please refer to our Safe Spaces Policy). Some of the most common sessions relate to emerging technologies, creative pursuits, design projects or efforts to improve the city of Philadelphia. 

Is there a topic you feel is grossly underrepresented and needs at least 15 (or 60) minutes of fame? Here’s the perfect space to correct that travesty.

Some of last year’s most well-attended talks:

• Improv for Entrepreneurs workshop
• AI in the Classroom group discussion
• Introductory Course for Digital Accessibility in Social Media
• Manager’s Roundtable
• Stoicism for Internal Tech Teams presentation
• How to Deal with Hard Emotions at Work

That’s the charm of BarCamp Philly. It’s a Pandora’s box of opportunity. Only in this case, Pandora is Philadelphia’s curiosity crew, and the box is what inspires us.

Attendees become presenters, and attendees become learners! With 60 presentation spots, there will be ideas that educate, inspire and motivate.

When, where and other details

BarCamp Philly 2024 takes place Saturday, Oct. 5, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Jon M. Huntsman Hall at Wharton. Doors open at 8 a.m. 

The morning consists of presenters submitting their talk ideas, attendees voting on their favorites, and connections made over coffee, breakfast and incredible company. 

At 10 a.m., the presentation schedule is finalized, and then BarCamp Philly begins! All 60 talks happen concurrently over 6 sessions, so pick presentations that resonate with you. Throughout the day, make sure to say hello to fellow attendees. The best part of the day is sharing what struck a chord with you with someone you met. 

Talks continue until 5 p.m., where it’s tradition to continue the fun with new friends at a restaurant or bar in Philadelphia.

To get your ticket for BarCamp Philly (or donate one for someone else to attend), visit the conference website. To allow everyone of all backgrounds to have an opportunity to learn, connect and find what inspires them, tickets are kept at $15.

The hottest spot for everything BarCamp Philly is the newsletter (sign up here). If social media is more your style, LinkedIn and Instagram are full of the latest details.

On Oct. 5, BarCamp Philly will host Philadelphia’s curiosity crew, which always has room for one more. See you there to discover together what inspires us all.