Get ready for Amplify Philly @ Home, a summertime series of virtual conversations, art and music

The urban creative class puts considerable stock in gathering.

It may be both contributor to and consequence of why companies in big cities (often described as those with a million or more residents) are more productive than elsewhere. Big ideas and small tactics for work are shared. Relationships and trust are established, leading to jobs and business. Sense of self and place are reinforced.

So though the COVID-19 pandemic rocked event calendars across the country, many have been quick to respond. That includes Amplify Philly, the coalition of arts and business organizations flying an innovation banner.

Formed in 2015 as a vehicle for Philadelphia’s representation at SXSW, the group had to rethink their fifth anniversary when Austin’s annual megaconference was an early American pandemic casualty. Now they have:

Meet Amplify Philly @ Home, a series of virtual conversations, music and activities happening July 29, Aug. 26, Sept. 25 and Oct. 21.

The main organizers of the series are events production firm Witty Gritty and creative membership org REC Philly.

The series kicks off Wednesday from 1 to 6pm.

Register for Wednesday

Facing our own virus response, we at Technical.ly are partnering, slotting in fireside chats each day to complement the Summer Series we’re hosting as part of our reimagined (and postponed) 10th annual Philly Tech Week Presented by Comcast. One of the Amplify Philly @ Home events will take place during the new #PTW20 dates of Sept. 21 of 25.

This Wednesday’s Amplify kickoff will include a Startup Pitch Spotlight by Comcast LIFT Labs and sessions in collaboration with the organizers of the PHL Innovation Picnic, CIC, University City Science Center and music performances supported by WXPN.

The day includes a conversation at 2:30 p.m. EDT on “How to Talk About Fear at Work,” between this CEO and SEER Interactive CEO Wil Reynolds. That’s followed by “How Cultural Context Influences Innovation Districts,” which is moderated by Technical.ly’s Baltimore-based assistant editor, Stephen Babcock.

Register here and see the entire schedule.