The SMS poetry summit will feature live performances, panel discussions, workshops, activations, networking opportunities, an open mic experience, and a cash prize slam competition. By marrying entertainment and education, we’ve re-imagined the design of a poetry festival. The panel discussions are designed to shed light upon the parts of poetry that often go undetected (e.g., intellectual property rights, writing as a wellness tool, landing corporate gigs, etc.). When the turn up meets collective evolution, magic happens.

Our Why

For years, the creative scene has been oozing with art and music festivals, but that same enthusiasm has been missing for the poetry community. Poets deserve to dream just as loudly as other artists.

Poetry is more visible than it has ever been. We are celebrated on presidential inauguration stages, on tv (e.g. Brandon Leake, winner of “America’s Got Talent”), on bookshelves in the form of national best sellers (e.g. Rupi Kaur’s “Milk & Honey”), and even at the Grammys as of 2023! If there was ever a time, it’s now.

Plus, post-pandemic trends continue to suggest a continued rise in entrepreneurship. What if we all traded in timesheets for blank pages? By arming poets with the tools to not only elevate their craft, but also their business acumen, we intend to shift the culture.

Headliners

Our VIP experience will include a welcome toast reception, accompanied by a private Londrelle concert. Our summit headliners include Steven Willis and Just Mike The Poet.

Location

The VIP Experience on June 9th will be hosted at REC Philly (901 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19107).

The remainder of the summit experience on June 10th-11th will be hosted at Location 215 (990 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA 19123).