PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia artists, innovators and entrepreneurs are preparing to head to Austin, Texas, next month for the South by Southwest festival. Their mission: to show the world what Philly can do.
Derek Hall, an instructor at South Philadelphia rug-making company Tuft the World, is preparing to demonstrate his craft to a national gathering.
"Recently we've been more local. But this will be a great chance to branch out and let more people know about what tufting is," Hall said.
"I think it'd be really cool to go down there and basically do what we do. It seems that, what South by Southwest is, we’ll fit right in."
Hall attended an event in University City on Friday at which other established businesses and startups connected with each other on the presentations they will make at SXSW, March 8 - 16. Amplify Philly, a group that showcases and connects local innovators, convened the event.
Amplify Philly board chair Michelle Freeman says SXSW is much more than a music festival.
"There is in fact a whole business interactive track that is really deep on issues and emerging industries. And that is the spot for us."
Thousands of people at the festival will see what Philadelphia has to offer. Freeman says being there will go a long way toward connecting Philadelphia talent with the world.
"The special sauce of South by Southwest is that it's so multidisciplinary. It's really a platform that lets us really flex our muscle across the board with different sectors," she said.
The Philadelphia contingent plans to present business demonstrations, panel discussions on AI, and of course, cheesesteaks.