The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and Philly blog uwishunu.com will host the inaugural BlogPhiladelphia, an “unconference” for those interested in all forms of social media, taking place from July 12-13 at the Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel in Center City Philadelphia. GPTMC is the first tourism office to host a social media “unconference” in a continuing effort to engage new audiences and make Philadelphia the most connected destination available to residents and visitors.

GPTMC consistently provides visitors with a full toolbox of social media technology: free podcast tours (SoundAboutPhilly.com), a citizen journalist blog with social bookmarking links (uwishunu.com), a Web-TV series (Cheap Dates), a social networking Web page (myspace.com/uwishunu), interactive Google maps with text technology (gophila.com/byobmap) and other user-friendly tech tools such as RSS feeds and customizable itineraries on gophila.com.

Although there will be a few panels featuring leading tech pioneers spanning a wide spectrum of technology platforms, BlogPhiladelphia will follow the “unconference” format established in other social media conferences, such as BlogOrlando and BarCamp. The majority of the “unconference” will feature break-out sessions covering specific social media interests or challenges with an open grid on the schedule where attendees choose the sessions they either want to present at or attend. Panelists and session leaders already on board include:

  —Josh Hallet, founder, BlogOrlando, hyku.com/blog
  —David Parmet, public relations expert, parmet.net/pr
  —Joey Sweeney, CEO, Philebrity Brands, (philebrity.com and
    philebrity.tv)
  —Alex Hillman, Web developer and founder, independentshall.org
  —Maura Johnston, associate editor, idolator.com
  —Howard Greenstein, Social Media Consultant and co-founder Social Media
    Club,  www.howardgreenstein.com
  —Dave Coustan, Blog Master at EarthLink, blogs.earthlink.net
  —Alicia Dorset, blog editor, fastlane.gmblogs.com
 
In addition to the information-packed sessions, attendees will get a taste of Philly’s thriving dining and nightlife scenes.

Buzz for the event is already building: In just 24 hours, GPTMC added 77 friends to its BlogPhiladelphia group on Twitter, a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send “updates” (text-based posts) via short message service (SMS), instant messaging or the Web. The site’s homepage features BlogPhiladelphia’s group as one of the 10 recommended Twitter groups.

To make this informational conference as accessible as possible for bloggers and non-bloggers alike, there will be no fee to attend. Participants are only required to cover travel and accommodations. For information on registration; details on sessions, panels, panelists and attendees; links to recommended hotel packages and Amtrak discounts; and details on Philadelphia attractions, visit www.blogphiladelphia.net .
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