12 Business and Tech Events to Check Out in Philly This October
From wine tastings to workshops, here’s where you can go to learn new skills and make new connections this month.
Here are our picks for business and tech events around Philly this month. Photo courtesy of Comcast.
Rock out this October with these awesome networking and educational events. Featuring live music, free food, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to get your networking on, these events will bring you advice from local industry experts to learn more about self-care, growing your business, and the city’s past and future.
Breaking the Myth of Meritocracy: Unpacking the Trap
When: Monday, Oct. 1; 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: 421 N 7th St.
As part of the four part panel series Breaking the Myth of Meritocracy, Unpacking the Trap will further the discussion of how American public policy has shaped issues of race and racism by looking back on government legislation enacted during the New Deal of the 1930s and during urban renewal movements in the 1950s through the 1970s. The panel features PA State Senator Vincent J. Hughes; Richard Rothstein, author of Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America; Rachelle Faroul, an Associate Community Manager at Vox Media; and Center of Investigative Journalism data reporter Emmanuel Martinez. Their discussion will explore how these policies have contributed to modern issues of neighborhood segregation. The series is partnered with the multidisciplinary art exhibit, A Dream Deferred, which will be in Philadelphia through November 17. A reception with food, drinks, and live music will follow the event. Free to RSVP.
Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week
When: Monday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 5
Where: Varies
Featuring over 30 events, this year’s MED week is focused on an “elevating equity” theme. The week of events kicks off with a breakfast and awards reception at the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center Monday morning. Events vary throughout the week and include panels, educational workshop secessions, and opportunities for one-on-one coaching. Highlights of the week include, What I Was Not Told, a panel with black women business leaders; Let’s Share a Cup of Coffee, a workshop and panel hosted by Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. with representatives from McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chic-Fil-A and Rita’s Water Ice; and the Lighting the Torch cocktail party and networking reception. To register for events, visit the City of Philadelphia’s website.
When: Wednesday Oct. 3- Friday Oct. 5
Where: 2300 Arena, 2300 S. Swanson Street
This month, Philly will host its first ever Project NorthStar conference. The three-day conference will focus on making equity and inclusion a priority in the city’s tech community. Speakers include Sylvester Mobley, CEO of Coded by Kids; Michael Berhane, co-founder of People of Color in Tech and the co-host of Techish Podcast; and Shelly Bell, founder of Black Girl Ventures. Their talks are aimed at providing current and aspiring entrepreneurs from the Black and Latinx community with the advice they need to start a career in tech. The event, presented by Black & Brown Founders, is backed by StartupPHL, Comcast NBCUniversal, Microsoft for Startups, Bumble, Uber, and other major businesses and organizations. Tickets are available here.
When: Friday Oct. 5 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Xfinity Live! (Inside 1100 Social), 1100 Pattison Avenue
This month’s Social World Networking Professionals mixer highlights Fox 29 News Anchor Mike Jerrick. With other CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs in attendance, this event will provide attendees with opportunities to connect with others in their field. Xfinity also invites guests to wear pink to this event in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Free to register and attend.
Young Black Professional Networking Event
When: Friday, Oct. 5; 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Where: Reserve Lounge, 724 Arch Street
Over 300 business professionals and entrepreneurs will be attending this networking event. Stop in for drinks and conversations about job opportunities with people of color working in Philadelphia. Anyone is welcome to come out and celebrate fall with this Young Black Professionals’ event. $10 with RSVP, $20 without.
Tech Ladies Philly Meetup: What is Emotional Intelligence
When: Tuesday, Oct. 9; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Allen & Gerritsen, 1619 Walnut St.
Female executives from SurePeople, Allen & Gerritsen, Philabundance, and Teleos Leadership Institute will lead this panel on emotional intelligence. The discussion will cover everything from relationship building to self awareness and how effective managers show off their emotional IQs. After they register, guests will be asked to complete a free PRISM behavior assessment, which will help them better determine and better understand their leadership strengths and weaknesses. Food, drinks, and possibly free head shots will be provided at the event. Tickets are $10 and are available here.
The Pennsylvania Conference for Women
When: Oct. 12; 6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.
The Pennsylvania Conference for Women is back this year with a new lineup of speakers you can’t miss. This year’s agenda of keynote speakers includes international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, actor and comedian Maysoon Zayid, and world renowned tennis player Serena Williams. In addition to the six keynote speakers, guests will be able to attend numerous breakout secessions, author book signings, small business and tech roundtables, and talks from leaders in marketing, finance, media, medicine, and more. Tickets for the event are sold out.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 17
Where: EvolveIP, 989 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne, PA
Women, Wine, and Tech will kick off the evening with a wine and food tasting selected by wine connoisseur and Evolve IP CEO Guy Fardone. There will then be an opportunity to network with other local women interested in and working in the technology sector and a discussion on how women working in technology can be successful. At the end of the evening, there will be a raffle prize and business leaders will discuss opportunities for women in tech working in the area. Free to attend.
Greater Philadelphia in the 2020s: What Can You Expect?
When: Thursday, Oct. 18; 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 1113 Market St.
Hosted by the Philadelphia Business Journal, this panel will discuss the future of Philadelphia as the city approaches the year 2020. Panelists include Elizabeth Smith, director of Strategic Planning & Partnerships for SEPTA; Lauren Gilchrist senior vice president and senior director of Research at JLL; Barry Seymour, executive director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission; and Joshua Katz, principal architect and studio director at Gensler and Architect of Comcast Technology Center. Their discussion will focus on which industries will be offering employment opportunities, the city’s infrastructure needs, and whether real estate prices will continue to rise. Tickets, available for purchase here, are $65.
The Forum of Executive Women 2018 Leadership Breakfast
When: Wednesday, Oct. 17; 7:15 a.m.
Where: Wanamaker Building, 100 East Penn Square
The Forum of Executive Women Leadership Breakfast will feature the talk, “Makin’ Music, Mac & Cheese, Pennies and Peanut Butter Cups: Lessons in Leadership,” by keynote speaker senior vice president and chief growth officer Mary Beth West of the Hershey company. The breakfast will also preclude the release of The Women in Leadership 2018 Report, which the Forum plans to release on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Champions of Board Diversity, which the Forum defines as companies with 30 percent or more women on their boards, will also be announced and honored at the breakfast. A registration link can be found here.
Connect, Reflect, Reenergize Self Care Workshop
When: Friday, Oct. 19; 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Where: Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue, 4200 City Ave.
This event will provide guests with a morning networking reception and workshop with the speaker, psychologist Dr. Robin Hornstein, who works as the Clinical Director and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach of Hornstein, Platt and Associates, LLC. The focus of the talk will be on helping professionals integrate self-care into their daily routine and will feature a writing exercise, a guided laughter meditation, and an opportunity for attendees to discuss their personal self-care plans with one another. Guests should also bring their business cards for a chance to win a free luxury massage from Hand and Stone. Tickets are $25 and available for purchase here.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 24; 2:00 p.m.
Where: Down Town Club, 600 Chestnut St.
Featuring multiple talks and the opportunity for one-on-one interviews with Kevin O’Leary and Michael Rubin, this event will provide guests with the opportunity to hear from both local business leaders and executives from CNBC Disruptor 50 Companies. Speakers include, David Perry, president, CEO and director of Indigo; Christine Raetsch, head of People for Duolingo; Donna De Carolis, dean of the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University; and, many more. The talks will be geared toward helping guests learn how to transform their ideas into a business, discover new business opportunities, and meet people to build their networks. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Courtney DuChene is an intern at Philadelphia magazine.
