- Live Event
The 21st annual SXSW Interactive Festival returns to Austin from Friday, March 7 through Tuesday, March 11. An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the 2014 event features five days of compelling presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to preview the technology of tomorrow today. Join us in March 2014 for the sessions, the networking, the evening events, the 17th Annual SXSW Interactive Awards, SXSW Accelerator, the SXSW Gaming Expo, the SXSW Trade Show, SXSW Create, the Digital Creative Job Market, cross-industry conversations with attendees from SXSW Film and SXSW Music, and, most of all, the unforgettable inspirational experiences that only SXSW can deliver.
How to Maximize Your 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival Experience
Attending the SXSW Interactive Festival makes for a significant investment of time and money. What follows are a number of time-tested and time-proven tips on how to maximize your experience at the event.
Have a Plan: First and foremost, have a game plan on what you want to accomplish at SXSW Interactive. Don't leave things to chance and don't come to Austin unprepared. The event is simply too big to effectively tackle if you don't have a well-conceived strategy for what you want to achieve. Yes, you will get the most out of SXSW if you start formulating your game plan long before March arrives.
Register Early to Get the Best Rate: Save lots of money if you register for the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival early in the year. Said another way, the longer you wait to register for the event, then the more you will pay!
Register Early to Get the Best Lodging: If you register early for SXSW Interactive, then you not only get the best prices . . . but you will also get the best selection of downtown hotel rooms. So what are you waiting for?
Read the Schedule Before the Event: The day-by-day, hour-by-hour schedule for the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival will appear online in mid-January. Spend a little time browsing this schedule before the event begins to understand the sessions you want to see. Again, having a game plan is your best strategy for success.
Contact People Before the Event: Connect with the people who you want to connect with at SXSW Interactive by contacting them (and arranging for meetings) before the event begins. Use our in-house social network SXsocial to browse registrants as well as to set up meetings and get-togethers.
Don't Overload on Parties: At SXSW Interactive, you may be tempted to spend all your time at social events where valuable networking occurs. While we understand the value of such networking, we also understand the importance of daytime sessions that teach and inspire. In 2013, registrants who attended daytime programming learned incredible insights from industry leaders such as Elon Musk, Al Gore, Esther Dyson, Peter Thiel, Brian Chesky, Steve Case and many, many more.
Go to Sessions Outside Your Expertise: SXSW Interactive offers a wide range of programming from social media, to food, to fashion, to space exploration. This wide range of programming means that you can (and should) explore topics that you know nothing about. If you only go to sessions that cover content you are already familiar with, then you will miss out on the opportunities to expand your brain or your network.
Ditch your Friends: Catching up with old friends from around the world is always a popular activity at SXSW Interactive, but don't spend all your time with the people you already know. Break away from your tribe to form new connections that will lead to new friendships, new brainstorms, new projects and new business opportunities.
Surrender to Serendipity: Even though we strongly recommend forming a SXSW Interactive game plan, we also recommend abandoning this plan when serendipity strikes -- which usually happens! In other words, if you find yourself sitting next to an amazing new connection, then don't cut short your fascinating conversation with this person in favor of the next item on your agenda. Go with the flow and see where it takes you!
Wear Comfortable Shoes: SXSW Interactive can be miles and miles of walking, and that's just in one day! If you get a blister, then you've compromised your game plan for the remainder of the festival. Be nice to your feet and they will lead you to a successful SXSW Interactive experience!
