The Longtime Home of On-Air Fest
On Air Fest, the premier festival dedicated to podcasts, audio, and storytelling, has hosted with Wythe for over 9 years now. Each year, the festival brings together the vanguard of creators—leading voices in media, journalism, and entertainment—for three days of intimate conversations, live podcasts, performances, parties and immersive experiences throughout the property.
Past speakers and participants have included Norah Jones, Anderson Cooper, Penn Badgley, Rosie Perez, Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Meyers, David Remnick, Bon Iver and Francis Ford Coppola.
Programming takes place throughout the hotel, from the Main Hall and Screening Room to guest rooms, restaurants, and rooftop spaces, demonstrating Wythe Hotel's ability to support complex, multi-day events that engage influential audiences across multiple venues.
"Wythe is an incredible venue and will be a committed partner in making your event a success. To them it's more than business, its culture, community and deep connections tied to experiences."
Scott Newman, Founder and Director of On-Air Presents
What made you choose our venue over other options back when you started On Air over 9 years ago?
Our festival was born out of a DIY, pirate-radio ethos ten years ago. Partially of our roots in live broadcast, we were looking for a venue partner in the creative epicenter of Williamsburg, Brooklyn that could offer both intimate spaces for performance + broadcast, as well as world class hospitality, and a staff willing to support creative storytelling, artist voices and an emerging podcast industry.
How did our team support you during the planning process?
The Wythe team is outstanding. Peter and the events team are tremendously helpful in preparing each space for our event, from imagining the possibilities of each space through to execution. But the event is a monumental effort, and we feel truly supported by everyone at Wythe during the event itself: from the AV techs to folks at the front desk, the cooks and servers in the restaurants, and even (and especially) the doormen who greet our audience each day, everyone extends that signature, warm Wythe hotel welcome, a welcome that has become is an essential part of the DNA of our event. We are proud to have Wythe as our official event HQ.
Were there any unexpected ways the space or service helped your event succeed?
One of our auxiliary events each year is an exclusive executive networking summit, which includes not only staged programming in the ballroom, but also breakout room discussions, a happy hour, and a networking lunch. This is a truly unique set of needs: the venue needs to have a ballroom, plus 4+ breakout spaces, and restaurants capable of accommodating 200 guests within an hour and a half.
Wythe Hotel is uniquely suited to this event, and (frankly) probably the only one in the surrounding neighborhood capable of hosting it. Plus, the beauty and quality of service at the hotel make us proud to host c-suite executives and leading industry decision makers there.
What kind of feedback did you get from your guests or attendees about the experience?
Our guests of the festival are a unique hybrid of business leaders and creative luminaries, and they ALL love Wythe Hotel. From the hospitality to the industrial chic vibes, the beautiful natural lighting to the diversity of large intimate event spaces, it truly feels like home every year.