Catch these 16 technologists at the Amplify Philly House at SXSW

A two-story bar in Austin, Texas, called Pour Choices is getting a two-day makeover March 11 and 12, just in time for South by Southwest (SXSW) 2018.

Organized by REC Philly, Witty Gritty and Philly Startup Leaders, the venue will become the “Amplify Philly House,” with two days of Philly-centric programming. Talks by local technologists, live demos from Philly companies and a music showcase with Philly artists will takeover the spot, located two blocks from the Austin Convention Center.

“This is as Philly as it gets, and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said David Silver, the REC Philly founder leading the Amplify Philly push at SXSW. “We will be halfway across the country, but when we are at the Amplify Philly House in Austin, it’s going to feel like home. Our city will be in the spotlight, where it belongs, showing an influential, international audience, all that Philadelphia’s growing startup, tech and arts communities have to offer.”

We weren’t pump faking.

The @AmplifyPhilly Official House Party: @djjazzyjeff215 @DjAktive & @FUEGOMAYO. #Philly #SXSW18 #AmplifyPhilly pic.twitter.com/qEdrEDJEnU

— REC Philly (@RECphilly) February 27, 2018

Here are some of the speakers heading down to the Amplify Philly House.

• Tracey Welson-Rossman, Chariot Solutions & TechGirlz
• Tiffanie Stanard, Prestige Concepts LLC
• Adriana Vazquez Ortiz, Lilu
• Liz Brown, Webjunto
• Rick Nucci, Guru
• Brigitte Daniel, Wilco Eletronic Systems
• Marc Byers, Rockstar Entertainment/Sony ATV
• Brendan Lowry, University of the Arts
• Rakia Reynolds, Skai Blue Media
• Josh Goldblum, Bluecadet
• Caitlin Butler, Mural Arts Program
• Yasmine Mustafa, ROAR for Good
• Jess Edelstein, Piperwai
• Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman, THINK Urban, Women-Led Cities
• Meegan Denenberg, Little Giant Creative, Women-Led Cities
• Christopher Wink, CEO of Technically Media

Last year, Mayor Jim Kenney went down to SXSW to join on the Philly crew repping at the global tradeshow, which in 2017 drew 400,000 attendees. This year, the Mayor — who said he wanted to do a more diverse version of SXSW in Philly — is skipping the show. In his stead, the city is sending a delegation of staffers from the Department of Commerce and the Office of Innovation and Technology.

The city also gave grants to four young startup founders from underrepresented groups to attend: PeopleJoy founder Emeka Oguh, NaturAll Club founder Muhga Eltigani, Palette Group founder Nate Nichols and GoBabl founder Earl Knight.