These 10 ideas from our ‘Help Plan #PTW15’ event are actually happening

Last December, Technical.ly hosted a “Help Plan Philly Tech Week 2015” event at Slice Communications. We brought together nearly 100 community members to brainstorm new ideas for Philly Tech Week 2015 presented by Comcast (happening April 17-25). Attendees split into groups based on the week’s six tracks (Creative, Dev, Civic, Access, Business and Media) to discuss new ideas for advertising, programming, accessibility and more.
Here are a few ideas from the brainstorming session that have become full-blown events. (For a full list of ideas that came out of the event check out our recap article.)

• Idea: Incorporate some ideas from the Wisdom 2.0 Conference, put down our devices and remember the importance of reflection, meditation and living for a greater meaning or purpose.
  • Reality: James Foley and Danny Harvith (the brain behind this idea) along with Devnuts and Buddhist Geeks are hosting a Mind Hacking and Unplugging event — “A quiet evening with a talk, meditation, then meet and geek.”
• Idea: Utilize a matchmaking program to pair cofounders with technologists, etc.
  • Reality: At our Philly Tech Week Signature Event (on April 24 at Comcast) we’ll be utilizing MeetingMatch. Sign up using the code “PTW15” and get matched with other attendees that will be at the event based on interests and experience.
• Idea: “Product Scavenger Hunt.”
  • Reality: MilkCrate and Green Philly Blog are teaming up to bring you The Green Challenge; a scavenger hunt based around the life of a sustainable tech startup. You’ll use your phones to take photos and race through the city (no cabs allowed) and the winning team will even win a prize!
• Idea: More events that incorporate art and technology (for example, how can we use tech for fine art preservation?)
  • Reality: There are almost too many to list here. If you’re interested in art and tech, make sure to check out TechniCulture, Experiencing Dust: Dancing with infra-red sensors, Museums and 3D Technology and more.
• Idea: Mini-accelerator programs with specific topics like: how to begin a startup, finding the right cofounder, getting funded, etc.
  • Reality: Our Business Conference Day, on Wednesday, April 22, we’ll be starting the day with our Entrepreneur Boot Camp. Learn how to find investors, hire the right team, identify and reach your customers and more.
• Idea: Leverage the academic and research community to help solve civic problems.
  • Reality: evoHaX is bringing together students from various universities around Philadelphia to develop web accessibility solutions in a 24-hour hackathon. Drexel University’s Center for Science, Technology & Society and the ExCITe Center are working together on their event, Building Digital Infrastructures, Empowering Citizen Scientists, which is also focused on improving accessibility.
• Idea: An event focused on improving transit infrastructure.
  • Reality: Designer and educator Alex Yampolsky is hosting his debut AIGA Philadelphia exhibit, To and From: Designing the urban commuter experience. In his independent design study, he seeks to achieve efficiency and visual clarity in presenting complex amounts of information via content organization, iconography design and user interface development.
• Idea: Integrate the upcoming mayoral race — have candidates discuss local tech issues.
  • Reality: On Monday, April 20 at the Free Library of Philadelphia, there will be a Mayoral Forum on Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. You’ll get to hear the candidates address the issues outlined in our Mayoral Questionnaire, which you can learn about here.
• Idea: Kickoff meeting to explain general functionality, tips and tricks for hosting an event as a part of the week.
  • Reality: Join Convening the Conveners on Thursday, April 16 for Event Hacks & Technology. Meet other event organizers as a part of the week to share tips and tricks.
• Idea: Create a drone video promoting Philly Tech Week that shares a unique POV of the city.
  • Reality: Get-Kinetic is hosting an Aerial Video Panel and Demo. They have 7 speakers lined up for the event including Nick Lang, member of the Drone Show Flight Team. While not specific to promoting Philly Tech Week, you should check out his incredible aerial video reel of Philadelphia: