ThinkFest Preview: Meet Three Millennials Chronicling Today’s Philly

Conrad Benner (photo by Peter Murray), Emma Fried-Cassorla (photo by Claudia Gavin) and Cory J. Popp

You’ve likely scanned one of their blog posts, liked one of their Instagrams or drooled over one of their gorgeous videos, but this year’s ThinkFest will offer attendees a chance to meet face-to-face the folks we’ve come to know as “Philly Love Notes,” “Streets Dept.” and Cory J. Popp.

The creators behind these sites, Emma Fried-Cassorla, Conrad Benner and Cory J. Popp, respectively, will speak about their work to chronicle our ever-progressing city in a panel called “Philly’s Digital Storytellers: Impact and Engagement For a New Generation.”

Fried-Cassorla is the founder of Philly Love Notes, a blog that gave locals a chance to share stories about their most-crushed-on parts of the city. The site ceased publication in September with 300 love notes under its belt. Now, Fried-Cassorla spends her spare time making and selling gorgeous custom woodcut maps of Philly. In the daytime, she works for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to spread word about much-loved local destinations like Spruce Street Harbor Park and Winterfest.

Conrad Benner is the man behind photo blog StreetsDept.com, which was started to “celebrate street art, graffiti, and urban exploration in and around the City of Philadelphia.” Since launching in 2011, he’s brought to our attention the local street artists to know, and has drummed up quite the following. The Guardian named Streets Dept. one of the best blogs for travelers, which, along with his 142,000 (!) Instagram followers, puts Philly and its gritty art scene on blast around the world. Benner’s latest project, “Next Stop, Democracy,” brings heavyweight local artists like Kid Hazo and Isaiah Zagar together in a campaign to improve civic spaces through art.

You probably already know we love Cory J. Popp. The Temple-schooled videographer’s work has graced many a blog post around these parts — from his sentimental “A Very Philly Christmas” on up to one of his latest, video that captured that magic weekend when the pope came and Center City was rid of all its street traffic. His latest work puts us front and center in one of Philadelphia’s most time-honored traditions: a dragon boat on the Schuylkyll. Check it out below, then scoop up your ThinkFest tickets to meet this intrepid trio in real-time.

ThinkFest is a day-long event about creating a platform where the most forward-thinking Philadelphians can share their ideas and experiences. Topics include politics, civics, tech, medicine, the arts, Hollywood and more. Be a part of it on November 6th at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. Read all of our ThinkFest 2015 previews here, and get your tickets today.