Philly Tech Week could not exist without the community of event organizers who dedicate themselves each year to showcasing the latest and greatest work being done in tech and innovation throughout the Philadelphia region.

Ahead of PTW’s eighth iteration, we continue to share a bit more than usual about just who these amazing folks are and why they sign up to lead the charge — be it for their employer, their meetup group or themselves.

Here are six more of these PTW heroes (in our hearts), listed out in no particular order, and what they’re working on:

Kathleen Murley

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: We are hosting our first-ever AWeber HackAWthon on April 21. Then during Philly Tech Week, we’re inviting the top five teams back to demo their applications for a chance to win $1,000. Our hope is to bring together local developers to put their problem-solving skills to the test to create incredible products to help people connect with their audiences in remarkable ways.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: Yes! We held a three tech talks in 2017, where members of our product, design and engineering teams shared their knowledge and expertise with nearly 70 attendees. We were also able to speak with a number of awesome individuals within the Philly tech space and learn what they’re doing to get involved in the local tech community. As you can imagine, we had tons of amazing feedback that has helped us improve not only our work environment, but also our product, service and more.

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: Ready to be inspired? Come to the AWeber #HackAWthon Demo Day to see some awesome apps created to help entrepreneurs launch their ideas.

Ken Rimple

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: Look at you, Vue! Learn the basics of the latest pretender to the Single Page App Throne.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: I delivered a JavaScript Tooling workshop in 2014, a DevDay session on AngularJS in 2015, and a Dev Workshop session on React in 2017.

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: You’ll learn the essentials about the Vue.js JavaScript framework without hype or fuss. Come away happy!

Philly Game Mechanics

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: Digital Fringe & Philly Game Mechanics Happy Hour Showcase.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: Yes, the 2017 Block Party in partnership with Webjunto. It was an amazingly colorful and exciting event, showcasing great games, wonderful music, and an amazing local community.

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: Play great games, meet great people, and find out how to be part of Digital Fringe, the online platform for art in the 2018 Fringe Festival!

Alex Sutherland

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: PhillyForce.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: Yes, I’ve helped organize the PhillyForce Conference in previous years during Philly Tech Week. I’m organizing the PhillyForce (Salesforce Community) Conference as a part of Philly Tech Week because I am passionate about raising the awareness in the Greater Philadelphia area about opportunities in the Salesforce ecosystem locally and globally, and also getting the regional Salesforce professional community better integrated into the broader Philadelphia technology, startup, and business communities. I think that Philly Tech Week is a crucial part of strengthening the local technology ecosystem, and expanding the opportunities for the residents of this unique city!

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: It’ll be hard to find a more inspiring, enthusiastic group of speakers and attendees around technology and empowerment than @PhillyForce!

Erin Zimich

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: Entrepreneur Expo 2018.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: PSL has hosted this event as part of Philly Tech Week since the start, however, this is my first time planning Entrepreneur Expo. We’re going for a whole new feel this year that I think everyone (from kids to adults) will enjoy. I am so excited by the possibilities this event holds and can’t wait to help showcase all that’s going on in the Philly tech scene!

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: Entrepreneur Expo will be at the Franklin Institute and is FREE to attend. Discover 100+ tech co.’s in your own backyard! May 1, 6–9 p.m.

Yahya John Leigh

Q: Which #PTW18 event are you producing?

A: The Startup Showcase.

Q: Have you organized events for Philly Tech Week before?

A: Nope.

Q: In a tweet, tell our audience why they should attend.

A: This is a unique pitch competition. In fact, it’s really a conversation about what is and what can be. These pitches are not just for fundraising but are designed to inspire a movement.

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Check out the full calendar of events, 45 strong and growing every day, here.