Ballard Spahr Launches Groundbreaking Virtual Business Conference “WhatsNext”

Ballard Spahr’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital (EGVC) Group will host WhatsNext, a cutting-edge, content-based virtual business conference specifically curated for start-up and emerging growth companies, as well as angel, venture capital, and private equity investors. The conference—which will also offer sports, music and food-related entertainment—will take place on June 24.

WhatsNext will include panelists and performers from Philadelphia, Silicon Valley, and New York. Both large companies—such as QVC, Comcast, Ancestry.com, NewSpring and Bloomberg— and dozens of successful start-up companies—such as Guru Technologies, Crossbeam, Federal Donuts, and Neuroflow—will participate. Entertainment breaks, including a motivational speech from Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, a beer tasting with Victory Brewing, and messages from former Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin, WXPN’s Bruce Warren and Philadelphia rock-favorite Low Cut Connie, will be woven into the virtual sessions.

“In this time of social distancing, we are innovating around the task of staying connected, conveying content to those in need, and facilitating high-impact professional interaction,” said Gregory L. Seltzer, who spearheaded the creation of the event and leads Ballard Spahr’s EGVC Group. “Our community is full of determined innovators. It’s my job to provide a launch point and create an environment that allows for success and innovation.”

The conference will take place via Hopin, a software application designed specifically for the production of multi-session conferences. Hopin offers a digital Networking Room, where participants join and are automatically connected to another person in the Networking Room for a short talk and then automatically connect to another person in the Networking Room for another short conversation. There will also be an “Expo” where companies can promote their products, services, and brands.

“WhatsNext is our reinvention of the start-up business conference. Our aim is to create a virtual environment that reflects the real-life supportive, fun, and creative nature of this community,” Mr. Seltzer said.