I'm back from Texas and boy are my arms tired. Uh, I mean I took a plane from Austin... oh, never mind.
For years my friends and peers have been bugging me to go to SXSW and there was always some type of convenient reason not too. Thankfully I was nagged into attending this year.
In short I had a fantastic time meeting everyone I've emailed, IM'd, and "Longboarded" over the years. Upon reflection of the last three days I know now that staying away all these years was a silly thing to do.
There are those who view these types of events as waste of time and money (that there is no ROI from attending). I believe now that's a petty excuse management, owners, and principal types use to keep their workforce by becoming distracted by opportunities that can pop-up at these events. Sure there are those times when work does have to be done and sitting out is unavoidable but the renewed spirit that can come from a few days with peers can also bring a tremendous amount of revitalized creativity to any project.
After having spent four days with the top talent in the field of online design I'm more energized to take on the world and destroy old-hat competition than ever before. And I'm sure there are others who are employed that now have a clearer vision and passion to create beyond their current abilities, to push harder.
Cameron said it best, "You come to SXSW to support your peers and get their support." That can make all the difference in the world.
How much more GTD-ROI can you get than that? Put that in your forty-third folder and smoke it.
From my many conversations with designers, marketers, and presidents of companies from all over, I have learned that there are a lot of very, very interesting and intriguing projects, strategies, and announcements in the pipeline (all very non-web two-point-oh thankfully). You won't get a word out of me except that the rest of 2006 will be nothing short of amazing.
I did not get the proper chance to say good-bye to a lot of you — the clocks seem to run a lot faster in Austin — take care and have a safe journey home.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
I've never been to SXSW and some year I'm going to have to attend and finally put a face to all these blogs I've been reading. Sounds like it's definitely worth taking the time. I agree though that management does tend to frown on sending employees to such things. I think it's more an old school view though. The old idea that, "if you're not at your desk, then you're not working." We have to get past that.
Lucky.
My first time as well and it was nice to meet you, even though it was brief. Its a hard call what I came away with more, the info from the conference itself or the time talking with fellow designers. Looking forward to next year already.
I was at SXSW and wanted to meet you, but like you said, the clocks run so much faster. There's so much to do, so much to learn and so many people to meet. Perhaps next time, Greg.
I know exactly what you mean about feeling energized. It sounds so cheesy but it's exactly what happened. Must have been all those Rusty Nails. It was a blast meeting you and pretty much everybody else. I'm glad we both decided to go this year.
Ditto on everything, Greg. Great post, echos my feelings exactly. Great meeting you. Keep up the good work. See you next year. :)
I had such an awesome time, I'm definitely going to try my best to work it into my schedule next year. Enjoyed finally meeting you and getting the chance to have a little chat. Here's to next year!
It was great to meet you and chat for a bit. Hopefully next year we'll get more than just 5 minutes in the hallway...
It was great meeting you Greg!
...we'll have to work out my "agent" fees at some point ;)
I live in Austin and haven't had the financial means to truly attend a SXSW (no panels - just the tradeshow, at best). Interactive or otherwise.
But 2007 is gonna be my year. I'm saving up right now because I am tired of missing out on this event.
This was my first SXSW, and I'm hooked. It was fun to meet you and dozens others. See you next year, if not sooner.
This was also my first SXSW, and I'm so glad I attended! I'm feeling pumped and re-excited about my own job (an unexpected side effect). It was great to meet you!
This year was another great gathering at SXSW - made all that much better (and entertaining) with Greg there. Back at my desk now booking my hotel for next year...only another 365 days...364 days...363 days...
Somehow, I managed not to run into you in the hallway or at one of the countless parties.
Oh well, maybe next year (when I've got Naz in tow as well.)
Nix, make sure you bring the Apple crew, I'm going to need Brownwyn for a panel...
Andrew, you bring Naz and I'll bring Narayan.
You know, even if it was for a short time, it was great to meet you. I really hope sometime we can sit down to lunch. I mean, we are in the same state. ;)
But right now, I'm praying to be on a panel next year.
Don't pray, just make a panel. I'm going to do one on selecting the right steak for each day of the week and how to hunt poultry without getting messy.
Holy crap, what a great week. I am also motivated to be the Best Bronwyn I Can Be, which includes trying to whip up some awareness of not-necessarily-blogular interactive writing. (i.e., what I do every day for Apple.)
So, um, that panel offer does include my own stylist, right? I simply DO NOT go anywhere without Stefan. Make it happen, Greg.
Absolutely cool to meet you Greg - glad we had a bit of chat and I hope I didn't bore you with Clearleft stuff. Hopefully see you there next year?
Damn. It seems like I missed meeting a whole lot of people this year, including you, Greg. See you next year, with any luck.
Glad you made it to Southby. It was good to meet you, albeit very briefly. Hope to get more of a chance next year.
It was great to meet all of you as well. Next year I'll be there for a few more days so I can have more time than passing handshakes in the hall. And I'm going to have at least one meal with the Brits because they were the only ones who had a hankering for BBQ.