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- Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film & television, and music industries. An essential destination for global professionals, the event features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities.
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What is the SXSW® conference & festivals?
The SXSW® Conference & Festivals celebrate the convergence of the tech, film and television, and music industries. Located deep in the heart of Austin, Texas, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery. Explore SXSW registration options, badge access, and more. Join Us at SXSW 2025.
An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, world-class exhibitions, professional development and networking opportunities, tech competitions, awards ceremonies, and much more.
- Get Used to Fomo
- Use The Rule of Two Feet
- Let Serendipity Be Your Backup Plan
- Find The Sx Outside of Sx
- Prepare
- Book Your Hotel Early
- Stop Conferencing
- Have A Guide
- Arrange to Meet People Beforehand
- Wear Comfy Shoes
From a content perspective, SXSW is an amazing value. It’s not that much more expensive than your typical conference, but it has way more content. In one hour at SXSW, there are as many as 60 different sessions happening. That’s as many as you get in lots of other conferences combined. This, of course, leads to analysis paralysis, and not a little ...
There’s a rule that I first heard about at BarCamp Phillythat says that if you’re in a session that you don’t like, just leave. Don’t feel obligated to stay just because you’re in the room. SXSW is dense, which means that if you don’t like what you’re in, there’s probably a fascinating session right next door. In fact, in any one venue at any given...
In a minute, I’m going to advise you on the deep preparation you’ll need for a successful SXSW, but at the same time you’ll need to be able to throw that planning away on a moment’s notice because one of two things happen: 1) you can’t get into the session you wanted to, or 2) you get a better offer. Let’s start with the first scenario. Well over 1...
There are a lot of parties and brand activations at SX, but there are a few SX events that show some of the original culture of early SXSW. When I first started attending in 2003, SXSW Interactive was largely a blogger’s conference. It was the one time of year a lot of attendees, who were blogging from different parts of the country, could get to s...
Plan, plan, plan. And then be prepared to throw out the plan. For me, planning usually starts a few weeks out when SX posts its official schedule. I pull out a big ol’ Google spreadsheet and start figuring out what I’m going to go to. I look at the sessions, who’s giving them, what they’re about, and I start ranking, hour by hour, what’s going to b...
The second that registration opens for SXSW, if you’re sure you’re attending, get that registration and book that hotel like you’re trying to get U2 tickets. Be waiting by your computer refreshing like crazy minutes before launch. Hotels go fast. Very fast. Within twenty minutes you may find the closest hotel is a mile away from the conference. I’v...
I met someone once who, as a habit, would take one day off and just wander the halls chatting with people he met. He met the CEO of Pizza Hut this way. That wasn’t the point exactly, but it goes to show that most of the value of SX is that it brings people together from all over the world, who are only in this one town—in this one space—one time al...
If at all possible, go with someone who’s been before. Who can show you all the pitfalls. Who can be the living version of this guide. Who can introduce you to people. I had the blessing of this in my best friend, Kevin Smokler, who guided me through my first SXSW back in 2003. I was able to meet way more people and attend way more events as a resu...
If you’re comfortable with it, arrange beforehand to meet with people while you’re there. This could be people you’re friends with on social media but never met in person. This could be people you only get to see at other conferences that you happen to know are going. But having a few things on your schedule before you even get there that are famil...
When I asked my friends online what they would recommend, they responded with a lot of the same points above, but I completely forgot about one crucial thing. You will be doing a LOT of walking and standing at SX. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Hope this helps you navigate the strange waters of SX (and, yes, folks do call it SX — pronoun...
SXSW’s most popular speakers are the ones who inspire people with creativity innovation, new ideas, and new ways they’re connecting ideas, said Forrest. It’s especially inspiring when they...
- Lance Ulanoff
- lance@mashable.com
Why SXSW is a Must-Attend Event. In addition to showcasing creativity and innovation, SXSW serves as a reminder of the power of art and technology coming together. Here’s why it should be on your bucket list: You’ll discover new artists and filmmakers before they hit it big.
Mar 14, 2019 · SXSW is a huge celebration of music, tech, gaming, media, movies, innovators and influencers, with hundreds of events going on over nine days. Film, interactive and music are the biggest draws. It’s one of the elite showcases of generational talent and a platform to discover the “next big thing.”.
