Amplify Philly

?? It's been a week since the debut the Keystone House and we still have that post-SXSW glow. The house was more than just a venue takeover—it was a dynamic gathering where public and private stakeholders from across the Commonwealth came together, rolled up their sleeves, and collectively showcased the very best of Pennsylvania. We can't wait to do it all again next year! Photo credits: Durrell Hospedale, REC, Arekusn Nguyen

Reflecting on my attendance at the #SXSW Keystone House with Amplify Philly one week later, I'm so excited not just about how we brought the Gets S**t Done attitude to Austin, but how we can continue to build momentum at SXSW in the future as we get closer to PA taking the national spotlight in 2026. The conference reflects the innovative and creative spirit that PA represents - and we love going on the offensive, meeting people where they're at, and talking about why PA is a great place to do business. Also, the barbecue in Austin is divine. Can't wait to go back!

What an amazing week at #SXSW! Met so many great people, attended great sessions, live podcasts, and activations/brand houses (looking at you Netflix, Paramount+). A couple of highlights… We officially announced Yes, Coach! - a new movement to harness cultural moments to train 100,000 youth sports coaches as mentors by 2030 alongside our partners Stand Together Foundation, FIFA World Cup 26? New York New Jersey, and FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia?. Was awesome to do it at the Keystone House with Amplify Philly given the number of huge sporting events they’ll be hosting in 2026 (not to mention America’s 250th!) We spent an amazing weekend with The Female Quotient at the Equality Lounge and met so many amazing people. Already loving Sara Hamdan’s new book thanks to Henry Holt Books. And we finished the week off with an incredible fireside chat with Tim Howard and Ed Foster-Simeon who talked about what 2026 will mean for soccer and our country and how we can make the most of it. Was the perfect way to end an incredible 7 days. (We also did one other really cool thing that isn’t quite ready for prime time but we can’t wait to share soon!)

We came, we amplified, and Pennsylvania delivered. ?? That’s a wrap on the first—though definitely not the last—iteration of the Keystone House. Pennsylvania stepped up to showcase the Commonwealth’s dynamic creative and innovative economies, alongside the world-class leisure and tourism experiences that make PA the ultimate American getaway. We’re incredibly proud of how Pennsylvania represented itself at SXSW and are deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit of our partners and sponsors who brought the Keystone House to life. Together, we’ve proven that the Keystone State is truly greater than the sum of its parts. We’re energized and already gearing up to create an even bigger, bolder presence for 2026. #KeystoneHouse #PAGetAway #PAGetsItDone Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Boomi Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia 1Philadelphia FIFA World Cup 26? New York New Jersey Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs 1Philadelphia Michelle Freeman Kristen Fitch Nicole Pumphrey Amanda Arroyo, MSW Heidi Franklin Melanie Hidalgo-Britt Anne Ryan Jamie Dunlap Meg Kane Mike O'Rourke Michael Gerber

Visit PA represented all 67 counties at SXSW over the last few days. Whether through lively conversation, panel discussions, playing PA tour guide, The Great American Getaway General Store merch, or telling journalists about our rich Commonwealth, one thing is for sure: the Keystone State showed up and the Keystone House threw down! Big thank you to all of our DMOs who sent down their best swag - the General Store had a constant swarm of people and the swag was a huge hit. And, another big thank you to Meg Kane and Jim Britt for joining me on stage to tell the crowd about how Pennsylvania became the epicenter of sports in 2026. ???? Michael Harris - I hope you’ve made it out of Dallas by now! None of this would have been possible without Amplify Philly, who did an incredible job bringing the Keystone House to life. One thing was very clear the last few days - if you want to be a part of collective progress in ANY industry, you attend SXSW. It’s where connections are made and future deals take off. We already have big visions for how we’ll showcase PA next year and bring the convergence of business, culture, and tourism to the SXSW masses. #sxsw2025 #visitpa #pagetsitdone #fifaworldcup #nfldraft #mlballstargame

Just touched back down in Philly after a great time at #SXSW! So wonderful to see all of the communities represented sharing actionable insights on how we move our work forward. Special shoutout to the Amplify Philly team for an amazing Keystone House experience - PA and Philly were represented well ?? Michelle Freeman Kristen Fitch Nicole Pumphrey

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Keystone House at #SXSW! The #PAGetsItDone team hosted a coffee meetup this morning, and there were a ton of exciting panels and networking opportunities at the event - plus some PA companies in attendance! Thank you to our very own Mike O'Rourke and Michael Gerber for representing the BusinessPA team, and thank you to the MANY Pennsylvania partners who helped make this event such a success! The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia | Amplify Philly

Pennsylvania is proving that the arts are more than just a cultural asset—they’re a catalyst for economic development, community engagement, and identity. Join us Pennsylvania Council on the Arts at the Keystone House for a conversation exploring how artists, arts organizations, and policymakers are shaping sustainable and inclusive creative communities across the state. ?? March 9, 2025 ? 2:00–2:45 PM ?? Keystone House | 75 1/2 Rainey St, Austin, TX Speakers: ? Dave Silver ? Karl Blischke ? Brenda Bakker Harger ? Emmai Alaquiva #SXSW #CreativeMigration #ArtsAndCulture #CreativeCommunities #PAArts

How do you shape a narrative that doesn't just attract attention but drives action? Join Kristen Fitch and Diana Lu at the Keystone House for a conversation exploring what makes a compelling narrative, the evolving tools that amplify messages, and the responsibilities that come with shaping public discourse. ?? Keystone House ??? March 9 ? 1 p.m.

?? With a music lineup featuring talent from Philly and Pittsburgh including Chill Moody, DJ AMH, and The Bul Bey, expect an unforgettable showcase of emerging and established artists who define Pennsylvania’s dynamic sound. ?? Keystone House – 75 1/2 Rainey St, Austin, TX ?? March 9, 2025 ? 5:00 – 8:00 PM