NxtUp Philly :: October 5

Entering its fifth year, DesignPhiladelphia (DP) is the largest national design event of its kind, featuring more than 90 events and over 450 designers from all disciplines. From October 7 - 13, 2009, explore exhibitions, workshops, studio tours, runway shows, and product roll-outs that inspire, engage, excite and delight. By showcasing designers, retailers, professional offices, museums, and galleries, DP aides in regional retention and attraction of young designers and creative professionals while building Philadelphia's reputation as a city of innovation and change.

Innovation Philadelphia is a non-profit economic development organization that serves 11 counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. Innovation Philadelphia is working to establish the Greater Philadelphia Region as a national leader and world-class destination for Creative Economy industries, businesses
and talent.

The Miguel Angel Corzo Center for the Creative Economy (CCE) at The University of the Arts seeks to define, research and promote the creative process as a transformative force for society. Creative individuals comprise the creative economy and they are fast becoming one of the most important resources in the global economy.

I-SITE has been designing websites and interactive media since 1996. Founded by an American and a Brit who both like tea, we've created sites and promotions for scooters, magazines, kids, beverages, analgesics and plants. We live in an old toy store where we work and play. Come make history with us.

MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth explore cultural diversity and social issues relevant to all people. MYX uses the creative, collaborative nature of art to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be empathic, engaged and socially responsible citizens at home and around the world.

Alina Wheeler is the author of Designing Brand Identity: an essential guide for the whole branding team, published by John Wiley & Sons. It is the first book to deconstruct the branding process into a universal, disciplined five-phase methodology. Her signature mantra is "Who are you? Who needs to know? Why should they care? How will they find out?" Wheeler is presently working on Brand Atlas: sixty diagrams to chart your business, your brand and your life.

Founded in November of 1981, City Paper has the area's largest readership of any weekly newspaper by publishing original, powerfully presented, award-winning editorial content. City Paper is blanketed across area businesses and high-traffic areas in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware Counties, South Jersey and Delaware.

LevLane is a full-service marketing communications agency based in Philadelphia, Pa., with a satellite office in West Palm, Fl., offering branding strategy, advertising, public relations, direct and interactive services to national and regional retail, healthcare, financial and nonprofit clients. Founded in 1984, LevLane has created for some of the nation's most beloved brands, including KFC, Starbucks, and United Way, as well as regional leaders, including Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and The City of Philadelphia Recycling Office, among many others.