National Maker Faire shut down, but the Philly group says its not going anywhere

Maker Media, the the company behind Make: magazine and the national Maker Faire, shut down over the weekend, laying off its entire staff.

The California-based company’s goal was to spur connections among makers and highlight local initiatives from inventors, companies and independent crafters. Maker Media CEO and founder Dale Dougherty told Tech Crunch that a lack of corporate sponsorship, investor disinterest and the high costs of magazine publishing were to blame for the company’s folding.

But the Philadelphia chapter of the organization, which kicked off its own event last year, said it’s not going anywhere.

In fact, it’s going even bigger.

“We are absolutely committed to making it go forward,” Laura Chenault, Philadelphia Mini Maker Faire’s head of marketing, said Tuesday.

We remain committed to growing, expanding, and building the Philly maker community. We are moving forward. We have no plans on stopping now!

— phl make (@phlmake) June 10, 2019

Last year’s Philly event, held in June at the Pennovation Center, hosted 100 local makers of art, gadgets, technology or anything having to do with innovation.

This October, Philly Makers wants at least double the number of makers and thousands of attendees, Chenault said. The event was moved to the fall in order to increase engagement with local schools and universities.

Addressing the national organization’s closure, Chenault said, “we would like to let the community know the Philly Maker Faire team remains committed to growing, expanding and building the Philly maker community.”

If you’re wondering if your craft might fit in, the answer is: most likely. Chenault describes the event as a showcase of innovation, creativity and resourcefulness in science, art, engineering, performance and craft.

“From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for ‘makers’ to show inventions, hobbies, experiments and projects,” she said.

This year’s event will be held Oct. 6.