Professional Development

Summer Events Roundup: 7 Philly tech meetups to fit between trips downashore

If you're looking to dive deep into current cybersecurity trends or to connect with fellow Philly technologists over some picnic food, we've got both for you in the next several weeks.

Tug of war at PHL Innovation Picnic 2019. (Photo courtesy of Ben Franklin Technology Partners)

Events Roundup is a Technical.ly column where we highlight events happening in the Philly area each month. Got a submission? Email us the details so we can consider it for our next roundup: philly@technical.ly.


It’s officially summer: The days are long, the out-of-office responses are plentiful and the calendar of events is traditionally a lot clearer than the rest of the year.

Though we’ve seen an uptick of events returning to in-person formats in 2022, the summer is when we see the schedule calm down a bit, as university students head home for the summer and institutions like the University City Science Center take a vacation break. But that doesn’t mean there are no Philly tech events this season. It just means we’ll be fitting them in between Phillies games, trips to the shore and summer Fridays.

There are actually some heavy hitters this July like the Philadelphia Cyber Security Summit and the Pennovation Accelerator’s annual pitch day. And while August is notoriously slow, we see the return of the PHL Innovation Picnic for the first time since 2019. Let’s dive in.

Global Plastics Supply Chain Risks and Opportunities

This online event by ImpactPHL will cover the impacts of plastics on our climate, in our health and in investment portfolios. Panelists Gabriel Thoumi, Brian Linton and Aditya Syroya will talk about how the expansion of single-use plastics have impacted the global climate, communities and ecosystems, and how that presents a risk for investors. Hear from Philly-area companies that are making a difference in the space — including Linton’s United By Blue.

Philadelphia Cyber Security Summit

The annual summit returns as a hybrid event for its fourth year, with a daylong event of panels, workshops and networking. Topics will include security for the cloud, cybersecurity and the government, and ransomeware.

  • Tuesday, July 19
  • 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Marriott Philadelphia Downtown and virtual
  • Tickets cost $195 for in-person and $95 for virtual attendance; register here

Snapchat and TikTok Basics for Entrepreneurs 

Temple University’s Small Business Development Center is hosting this virtual program to introduce the social media platforms to small business owners and discuss how they can be beneficial for businesses. Attendees will work on understanding the platforms and how to create content, reach target audiences, use hashtags and market their business or products.

Free Library headshots

The Business Resource and Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia (which is low-key a great coworking spot, by the way) hosts recurring free headshot sessions for anyone who needs one. No appointments are necessary, but photos will be taken on a first-come, first serve basis. Look for this resource on the first and third Thursdays of each month this summer. Oftentimes, you can also get your resume reviewed.

  • Thursday, July 21
  • 1 to 3 p.m.
  • BRIC, inside Parkway Central Library

Pennovation Accelerator Pitch Day

The Pennovation Center’s latest 10 accelerator companies will debut the work they’ve done over the six-week program to develop their business strategy and grow their network. The accelerator will conclude with a Pitch Day later this month where companies pitch to mentors, investors and peers.

  • Wednesday, July 27
  • 1 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Free and open to the public at Pennovation Center, 3401 Grays Ferry Ave.

Chamber of Commerce Virtual Speed Networking 

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is holding a virtual speed networking event early in August (and once a month through the fall) for members. Log on for 45 minutes to meet as many other participants as possible and make connections.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 3
  • 2 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Free for members; register here

PHL Innovation Picnic

The annual event thrown by Ben Franklin Technology PartnersPACTPhilly Startup LeadersUniversity City Science CenterPIDC and Broadpath returns in 2022 after a two-year hiatus, bringing the entrepreneurial community together for food, drinks, games, networking and fun down at the Navy Yard. The last two PHL Innovation Picnics collectively convened 1,600 people and raised more than $22,000 in proceeds for local youth-innovation nonprofits. This year’s proceeds will support Coded by Kids.

  • Thursday, Aug. 4
  • 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Marine Parade Grounds, 4801 S. Broad St.
  • Tickets range from $20 for individuals to $500 for sponsor companies; register here
Companies: Pennovation Center / Ben Franklin Technology Partners / Free Library of Philadelphia / Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia / Temple University

Before you go...

Please consider supporting Technical.ly to keep our independent journalism strong. Unlike most business-focused media outlets, we don’t have a paywall. Instead, we count on your personal and organizational support.

3 ways to support our work:
  • Contribute to the Journalism Fund. Charitable giving ensures our information remains free and accessible for residents to discover workforce programs and entrepreneurship pathways. This includes philanthropic grants and individual tax-deductible donations from readers like you.
  • Use our Preferred Partners. Our directory of vetted providers offers high-quality recommendations for services our readers need, and each referral supports our journalism.
  • Use our services. If you need entrepreneurs and tech leaders to buy your services, are seeking technologists to hire or want more professionals to know about your ecosystem, Technical.ly has the biggest and most engaged audience in the mid-Atlantic. We help companies tell their stories and answer big questions to meet and serve our community.
The journalism fund Preferred partners Our services
Engagement

Join our growing Slack community

Join 5,000 tech professionals and entrepreneurs in our community Slack today!

Trending

Election results: Live updates on presidential, Senate, House and PA races

Technical issues at the polls hit Pennsylvania, county extends voting hours

Philly's indie turnout tracker crashes on what could be a record-breaking Election Day

After the election, go to Thanksgiving dinner anyway

Technically Media