Key event details:
Where? Convene Event Center
Address: 30 South 17th Street Center City, Philadelphia
Convene is located across from the Westin
When? October 21-22nd, 2025
When Do I Arrive? Plan on the following:
Arrive each day by 8am, EST for breakfast. Sessions will commence following breakfast each day.
Each day’s programming ends by 4:30pmEST. While we’re not providing dinner we have socials ready to keep the good vibes flowing!
Dinner will be on your own!
How Does Check In Work? When you arrive to Convene you’ll head to the front desk and mention you’re here for the Thrive Summit. They’ll verify you’re on the list and get you checked in with a badge for the building, then you’ll head up to the 14th floor. There you’ll find Jack Gunsten, my Co-Founder who’s running check in and will get you squared away
What’s the Food Situation? Breakfast, Lunch, and 2 snacks breaks will be provided each day! NO Outside food or drink is allowed, but don’t worry we’ll have plenty of coffee and refreshments:
Dress Code? Business Casual
What should I bring? You don’t need to bring anything specific, we’ll have materials for you when you check in!
Event Schedule
Check it out here: Thrive Summit Schedule
Parking @ Convene
Below is Convene’s “Find Us” doc that outlines all the information on parking. Convene can offer 20% off parking at the Liberty Place Parking Garage. Attendees can see a Convene team member and they can provide you with the voucher.
Our contact let us know that Septa, Convene’s public transportation nearby, has been having issues these past few weeks so parking garages have been filling up more than usual. They’re recommending that you account for extra time to park just in case!
Social Hours
We have some exciting social hours brought to you by our amazing sponsors!
Tuesday:
3:30 – 4:30 PM — Afternoon Keynote + Parakeet Social Hour
Unwind with the Parakeet team! This will be at Convene.
5:00 – 7:00 PM — Evening Social @ Woden
Join us at Woden’s office for an evening social! The office is a short walk away from Convene and will be our Tuesday evening program! Address: 1520 Locust Street, 11th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 - They will have someone down to let you in! The door requires a code.
Wednesday:
8:00 – 9:00 AM — Breakfast, Sponsored by Bowtie Social
Ease in, catch up with your table, meet the Bowtie Social team, and get ready for Day Two. This will be at Convene. Please do not be late!
3:30 – 4:30 PM — Afternoon Keynote + Finstrat Management Social Hour
Unwind with the Finstrat Management Team! This will be at Convene.
Looking for things to do in Philly?
If you are in town for the Summit, you are in the best part of Philadelphia. Convene sits right off Rittenhouse Square, a tree-lined park surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and city energy that somehow still feels neighborly. Within a few blocks, you can find everything from quiet coffee shops to some of the country’s best restaurants. Philly has a rhythm that is hard to describe until you walk it. It is gritty and historic, but also confident, creative, and full of character. Whether you are chasing a late dinner, a perfect cocktail, or the cheesesteak you have heard about your whole life, this city delivers.
Where to Eat
Parc – A Rittenhouse landmark. Classic French brasserie, always buzzing, with outdoor seating that overlooks the park. Perfect for brunch or people-watching with a glass of wine. Rittenhouse Square is Philly’s most walkable, polished neighborhood, known for its park views, tree-lined streets, and café culture, all just steps from Convene.
Vernick Food & Drink – A few blocks from Convene and arguably one of the city’s best restaurants. Expect beautifully executed New American dishes, an intimate vibe, and cocktails that feel like an occasion. Also in Rittenhouse, Vernick is the spot for a refined dinner without feeling overly formal.
The Dandelion – A British-style pub that somehow manages to feel elegant and cozy at the same time. Grab fish and chips or shepherd’s pie, pair it with a pint, and you will see why locals love it. Rittenhouse again, most of the city’s best restaurants live within a few blocks of here.
DanDan – Upscale Chinese with just the right amount of spice. Sichuan-inspired noodles, dumplings, and cocktails that punch above their weight. Great for small-group dinners. Also in Center City West, a quick walk from the venue.
Dizengoff – Quick, casual, and seriously good. Israeli-style hummus and pita served the right way. Ideal for lunch between sessions or a fast dinner before exploring the city. Located on Sansom Street in Midtown Village, a lively stretch of restaurants just east of Rittenhouse.
Double Knot – A hidden-away spot near Midtown Village with an underground sushi bar and small plates upstairs. A go-to if you want something stylish but still comfortable. Midtown Village is home to some of Philly’s most creative dining, all within a few blocks of each other.
Middle Child – A beloved Philly staple that feels like a diner, deli, and neighborhood hangout all in one. Known for its breakfast sandwiches, tuna melts, and “in-on-the-joke” energy that captures exactly what Philly is about. Located in Washington Square West, a quick walk from Rittenhouse.
Dalessandro’s Steaks – Tucked into the Roxborough neighborhood, this is the locals’ choice for the best cheesesteak in Philly. Soft rolls, chopped ribeye, and a line that moves fast for a reason. Worth the short Uber if you want the real thing.
John’s Roast Pork – South Philly classic. Famous for its roast pork sandwich, but the cheesesteak is just as legendary. No frills, just perfection. Located near the waterfront, about 15 minutes from Rittenhouse.
Steve’s Prince of Steaks – Center City location, reliable, consistent, and always open late. A great way to end the night without trekking across town. A Philly staple since the 1980s.
Where to Drink
Ranstead Room – A hidden speakeasy tucked behind an unmarked door off 20th Street. Dark lighting, expert cocktails, and the kind of place you will want to stay for “just one more.” Tucked in Rittenhouse, a short walk from Convene.
Village Whiskey – A high-end bar from Chef Jose Garces known for its whiskey list and next-level burgers. Great for a nightcap or casual meet-up. Also in Rittenhouse, easy to get to and hard to leave.
Good Dog Bar – A Rittenhouse classic. Local beer, great burgers, and a second floor filled with framed photos of dogs. It is casual, crowded, and everything that makes Philly fun.
Monk’s Café – A Belgian beer hall with an unmatched selection and cozy, dark-wood atmosphere. Known for mussels, frites, and the best draft list in the city. Just off 16th Street, walkable from Convene.
The Black Sheep Pub – An old-school Irish pub with wood floors, dim light, and regulars who have been going for years. Easy, unfussy, and close to everything. Another Rittenhouse standby, ideal for something low-key.
Assembly Rooftop Lounge – A few blocks north at The Logan Hotel. Modern rooftop bar with city views, fire pits, and plenty of room to spread out. Located along the Parkway, near the Museum District.
El Techo – A rooftop bar above Condesa serving margaritas and mezcal with a retractable roof. Great energy, good music, and close to Rittenhouse. A Midtown Village favorite, walkable from the venue.
Flight Club – If you want to do something active, go here. Social darts, cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere that gets fun fast. Right on Walnut Street in Center City, lively, social, and easy to reach.
What to Do
Rittenhouse Square – A city landmark and the heartbeat of Center City. Grab a coffee, sit on a bench, and take it in. It is where locals go to reset. It is also where Convene is, your home base for the week.
Reading Terminal Market – A Philly staple. More than 80 food vendors under one roof, from roast pork sandwiches to handmade doughnuts. Go hungry. Located in Market East, about a ten-minute walk from Rittenhouse.
Philadelphia Museum of Art – Just a few minutes away and worth it, whether you are into art or just want to run up the Rocky steps. Anchors the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the Art Museum neighborhood.
Old City – The birthplace of America. Walk the cobblestones, see Independence Hall, and grab a drink on Market Street when you are done. Historic, charming, and one of the most walkable parts of the city.
Fishtown – The city’s creative neighborhood. Think independent restaurants, live music, and a different pace. Take an Uber, grab dinner at Suraya or Kalaya, and make a night of it. It is north of Center City, a bit of a ride but worth it for the vibe.
Spruce Street Harbor Park – Along the waterfront, lined with hammocks, lights, and floating gardens. A chill outdoor hangout when the weather is nice. Found in Penn’s Landing, near Old City.
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Parakeet
Parakeet helps founders write, test, and send better cold emails. Built by people who actually do outbound, it is designed to make the process simple, effective, and something you will actually enjoy using. Parakeet handles the parts of email outreach most founders hate, like account rotation, warmup, validation, and deliverability, so you can focus on what matters, writing messages that get replies.
Inside Parakeet, you can test subject lines, compare results, and use their built-in AI to generate copy that still sounds like you. It is built for founders, agencies, and operators who want a tool that just works. From MailHub, you can manage all your inboxes, send replies and follow-ups, and see what’s performing best without guessing.
Through Thrive, Parakeet is offering members 50% off for two months on their DIY plans. Use code THRIVE at checkout at parakeet.io/thrive.
Bowtie Social
Bowtie Social helps brands cut through the noise and reach the right people. Their Philly-based team blends thoughtful strategy with creative instinct to help brands grow with purpose and show up how, and where, they need to.
They built Thrive’s website from the ground up, combining design, storytelling, and functionality that reflects exactly who we are. Their team builds sites that are both beautiful and built to convert, pairing deep marketing insight with technical precision. From rebrands to full web design, Bowtie handles every detail so founders can focus on the work that matters most.
Guided by their motto, do what is right over what is easy, Bowtie Social is proof that good marketing starts with understanding people. Learn more at bowtie.social.
FinStrat Management
FinStrat Management gives founders the financial foundation they need to grow smarter, not just bigger. With deep experience at the intersection of investing and operations, they combine accounting, finance, and reporting services with strategic introductions and network-driven growth. Their team knows what it is like to roll up their sleeves as operators and traders in the early-stage ecosystem, so they are not just providing numbers, they are helping you tell your growth story in a way investors understand.
Whether you are seeking capital, better financial operations, or meaningful connections, FinStrat is built to serve founders with what matters most, runway, clarity, and the right relationships.
Learn more at finstratmgmt.com.
Woden
Woden develops strategic narratives that brands use to attract more best-fit customers, faster and easier. Founders intuitively understand what makes their brand valuable. Woden’s storytelling framework, the StoryKernel, uncovers that belief, transforms it into simple, memorable messaging, and integrates that story into every stage of the customer journey to pull buyers towards you.
More than 300 companies have worked with Woden to develop their StoryKernel and use it to fuel their go-to-market. The difference between a good company and an essential brand is their story: Woden guarantees you will turn buyers into believers in as little as six weeks.
Learn more at storyisthestrategy.com.
Engine
Engine is the modern travel platform built to simplify business travel and group stays. They bring every trip, every traveler, and every invoice into one clean dashboard so companies can save time, money, and stress on every booking. With Engine, you can manage flights, hotels, and car rentals in a single place, set travel policies, and pay one invoice for your entire team.
Their platform is intuitive, flexible, and free to use, with no contracts, no minimums, and no hidden fees. Whether you are managing a small team or coordinating thousands of room nights, Engine helps you travel smarter, faster, and easier.
Learn more at engine.com.