Feedback from Philly Tech Week 2014 planning session

More than 200 ideas came from more than 80 community members during a Philly Tech Week open planning session at VentureF0rth Wednesday. The fourth annual event series will take place next year, April 4-12.

Participants split into groups by choosing the “track” of events that most aligned with their interests. (Find more here on Tracks and Track Days, which came out of last year’s planning session.)

If you have feedback or other ideas, email us at info AT technicallyphilly.com or tweet us @phillytechweek. Use #ptw14!

General ideas, like certain new speakers are being taken into planning. Here are some of the specific event ideas that were presented:

• Creative: an interactive dance performance event that would utilize the tunnels beneath Broad Street and include mobile app and wearable tech components.
• Civic: a forum to hear an update on the Open Data initiative paired with a release of new data; an event that explores how Philadelphia’s transportation system affects the technology ecosystem here.
• Access: events highlighting youth maker spaces, disability/accessibility services, and Internet access issues more broadly; an education summit
• Business: an entrepreneurship event focused on why local businesses have stayed in Philly and why those that have left decided to move elsewhere featuring venture capitalists, startups and recruiters
• Media: update the Mural Arts tour mobile app and use it as a vehicle to market Philadelphia as an arts capital.
• Dev: highlight the N3rd Street corridor of startups and tech businesses in the Old City district.

We were excited to hear some suggested ideas that we already have in motion, including a Philly Tech Week mobile app, live streaming events, a large outdoor celebration with food trucks and more.

Interested in bringing your idea to life? The next step is to take a look at the Event Organizers Guide here, and find sponsorship opportunities here.