I won't be in Austin this year. I've decided, along with the rest of the Airbag crew, to take the year off from the growing insanity of ever increasing event population and infiltration of corporate-culture. But don't let that stop you from going, I know all of you're all going to have a blast.
As a member of this years advisory board I was asked to provide some advice for new attendees (the information gathered will be published in this years event guide) on how to make the most of SXSW. Unfortunately I didn't make the deadline but I want to help so I'll share that wisdom here.
THE AIRBAG GUIDE TO SXSW FOR NEWBS AND VETERANS
- Get the badge but leave the book bag behind, it's full of crap you're not going to want to take home anyway. And it's likely that you are already carrying a bag on your person.
- Don't spend all day sitting in panels.
- Don't launch anything on the web from now till April. Everybody and their third cousin posts a redesign, new application, etc. right before Austin and it all gets lost in the mix. Hold your water and wait a few weeks when all the hype, launches, and announcements have died down and people are looking for something new to talk about.
- Use your laptop sparingly. You'd be amazed at how much better your experience will be if you're eyes aren't glued to a screen. I'm not saying you shouldn't bring technology with you, just keep it in the bag more often than not.
- Be polite. No, you're no more cool than the other dork standing next to you. They may call it an "Interactive" conference but really it's a large gathering of computer nerds.
- Learn to say hello. You're going to be around people who share similar interest. Rather than send an instant message or email someone you already know, turn to the person at your side and great them.
- Want to meet that OMG OMG OMG blog A-lister?! Fine, just go do it. Nobody, and I mean nobody in this industry is so huge that they can't be bothered to say hello and shake your hand. And that's it, done. Note: If more conversation takes place great, but don't consider that an opportunity to give your life's story—save that for church.
- Go to all the parties. And go early because SXSW is getting more and more crowded and lines will form. More importantly the parties are a great place to network. That said: Not all parties work out so be prepared to bail and hit the next location, even if it means showing up a tad early.
- Don't be a Scoble. Absolutely, positively (with an up-AND-down no vote) do not bring your computer to evening activities. You're not going to need it.
- Texas law prohibits bringing your own wine to restaurants—they're savage like that. Flemings Steak House, right across from the convention center, has a pleasant grape-based inventory and their filet mignon is excellent.
- If you hit Jason Santa Maria over the head with the branch of a mesquite tree he turns into a smoked BBQ meal for forty people. Take aim and fire.
Lastly, have fun.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
Yeah, I made the same decision shortly after getting home last year. (Or maybe shortly before leaving.) You should all come up to Cleveburg and hang with me instead. I gots a guest room, free wifi, a cute four-year-old, and all the Oreo Goldens you can eat. And some killer restaurants just around the corner, when the Oreos get stale.
What?!?
Got any spare televisions? We could bring a few Xbox's and spend most of the day dominating Xbox Live.
See, now I've never been to SXSW, and probably won't be able to till the kiddos are in school in a few years, but you make me want to go if only to whack JSM. Oh, and kiss a bunch of A-listers, and laugh at all the geeks with laptops.
How am I going to meet that OMG OMG OMG blog A-lister if you're not going to be there?!
:)
While I'm going to have to rule out the redesign/new rule, I'd even venture to comment that not bringing a laptop at all (if you can) is actually surprisingly satisfying. I didn't bring one this past year and aside from checking email (which I did on borrowed laptops or at the Hampton "Business Corner"). If you're going and you're not presenting (thereby eliminating the need for a laptop for your slides) then the iPhone or Touch will likely be all you'll need.
If you can even get on the wireless. ;)
"Nobody, and I mean nobody in this industry is so huge that they can't be bothered to say hello and shake your hand."
Actually, I am too huge. I will not shake your hand.
Looking forward to eat Jason's brain though.
I can second, and third - the recommendation for Flemmings. I went there last year and was very impressed with the food and service. Worth the high price.
And although you're not going (I'm sorry to hear that I won't have a chance to say hello in person in a capacity beyond XBL) - I will certainly be there. I encourage anyone to come up an introduce themselves, I'm always interested in meeting new people.
So, don't be shy, people!
> How am I going to meet that OMG OMG OMG blog A-lister if you're not going to be there?!
Just look in the mirror and pinch your left arm.
> If you can even get on the wireless.
WiFi at SXSW is about as dependable as AT&T's cell phone network.
> Looking forward to eat Jason's brain though.
Are you going as a Special Correspondent to MSNBC?
SXSW has been my primary hub for networking and learning over the past three years, but it's definitely become diluted - simply too many people and, in the case of last year, too many un-educational or un-inspired panels.
I am attending this year primarily for the people that I will see, but if the chaos is any bigger than last year I may look to new conferences and opportunities.
Will something be the "hub" for the pro junkies in 2009?
I got a little giddy and threw up in my mouth a little. All at the same time.
A trip to Waterloo Records, Toy Joy and Amy's Ice Cream are also recommended.
Regarding the WiFi at the Convention Center, if you want a good connection, go to the other side of the building where there are no panels. They have WiFi throughout the entire building, but there must be a few different access points, because on the other side, it's really not bad at all. Even better, just bring a short piece of ethernet cable and plug into the wall. Works like a charm.
I can vouch for the concept of panels killing the SXSW experience, I try to skip if I can. Unless a friend is running one, which is mostly all of them, because then I'm contractually obligated to show up.
My favorite thing to do at SXSW is grab an outside table at the Hilton Hotel bar and fire up a stogie while people file by in orderly fashion just a few feet away.
I won't be there this year either for the exact same reasons. Oh and for less money I can just go to Vegas for a weekend. Everyone should keep that in mind when planning for their SXSW trip :)
Greg, so I'm assuming all of Airbag will be having a 5 day Xbox marathon then?
Hmm, I wish I'd read this list before booking my trip to Austin. At least my passing will feed 40 hungry nerds.
I don't actually have any spare TVs, but I could rent a bunch. Or else buy a bunch from various stores and then return them after a week as "not what I was looking for".
And it just occurred to me that the house next door to us is completely empty (and for sale!) so maybe I could rent it from the owners for a week for crash space.
This year is my first SxSW, but I'm only going for the nuclear tacos.
I hear there will somewhat of a box social around this "internet" thing, but just give me beefy fiery death please.
I can't believe I missed my opportunity to meet Mike Davidson while he was still shaking hands.
This will be my second year to fully attend SXSW. I got horribly sick by the last day of the Interactive event, so I am taking HUGE precautions to avoid a repeat of that nastiness.
I rather think point #3 is suited for someone like me. I am pretty small and "announcing" or "launching" the redesign of my website would just get lost. To play Devil's Advocate, however, it could be the thing to give me a boost (to what ends, I am not sure). Ultimately, I will build to upload around SXSW, but may or may not do so, as well as keep any announcement of such hush until well after the event.
Elsewhere: me and some forum buddies are gonna do the bowling thing this year. I completely missed out on, likely, one of the best parties of the entire SXSW Interactive experience last year. Not this time. No sir.
OMG!!! They didn't say anything about meeting actual people in the brochures....
Hello Social Anxiety!
I too predict Airbag is just going to have an Xbox conference for 5 days straight. It will be called 'West by West West', and you too can attend by standing in the bathroom and saying "Greg Storey" three times in succession into the mirror.
It's my first time going and I'm hoping to meet some fellow nerds, since I'm new to this business, excited, yet I know no one personally with the same passion for web design!
That said, thank you for the list -- I will be keeping it close to heart while I'm flailing about, being alone around thousands of designers. :)
Why should you go, even if you dont like the crowds anymore?
White Russians, some Beers and maybe a "Dude" siting amongst hundreds of geeks that all have something in common.....
Bowling.
Dear Everyone,
Please come to Austin. We love you. Skip the panels if you want - hell, skip the badge altogether - but do come drink with us.
Speaking of, the law here is that you can't bring your own wine into restaurants that serve liquor. If a restaurant is beer and wine only, they can let you bring your own bottle, with the usual caveats. I have no idea which places downtown fit the bill, but there you go.
I've never been to SXSW for whatever reason, but if Greg Storey isn't going, I'm not going. For real.
I figured i'd just hang out with peeps.
You mean there's a conference?
Anyone for a Connect Four championship?
Wait... how will you see my ad if you don't pick up your book bag?
Damn.
I think this might just be a ploy so that while the rest of us are out drinking (really, who actually goes to the panels?), Airbag can pinch our client rosters...
Another weeklong beer-and-cocktail party. Sigh. I just don't get the appeal. If you're the kind of person who doesn't do 'nightlife,' who generally goes to bed before midnight (in a time zone earlier than Austin, after tucking in the kids), and who really has no interest in meeting bloggers for the sake of it (I didn't realize there were varying 'lists,' A or otherwise, but I don't see the value in shaking hands with a stranger who doesn't know you or really care who you are), then what is there for you?
If there were opportunities to actually *do* things -- actually collaborate, build, workshop on a non-remedial level -- well, that would be different. But all I get from SXSWi is the chance to see stuff other people have already done, and hear them talk about how great they were to have done it. I'm happy to read their blogs on that count -- because I don't have to keep a straight face while doing so.
I guess some of us are just too old for this 'industry.' Also, please get offa my lawn. :-)
> Greg, so I'm assuming all of Airbag will be having a 5 day Xbox marathon then?
I'm not sure what "West by West West" will look like. I'm keen on touring places where they serve the finest dead cow and grape juice.
> Wait... how will you see my ad if you don't pick up your book bag?
Get Keegan a BlinksalePickle outfit and have him stand in front of the Hilton Hotel. Duh?!
@Kerri - That's pretty much the complaint I heard last year from a lot of attendees.
Am I the only one who thinks Greg not being there is good news? I mean, c'mon people. That's one less person to crush you in the hallway games of Mario Kart DS. And ask Cederholm, that's always a good thing.
I take the trip across the Atlantic to SxSW so I can meet my North American friends, all in the one place. And now you've gone and spoiled that. Still at least Santa Maria will be there - now where's that mesquite branch I stole last year?
I'm with Rich. I've never been to a high school reunion, but that's kinda how I think of SXSW - an excuse to hang out with my friends for a few days. I almost skipped the badge this year, but it'd be hard to justify the trip without it...
Greg . . . sorry to hear that you won't be able to make it to our little party this year.
But, thanks for the good tips for attendees -- lots of outstanding advice here.
My only rebuttals are as follows (ha, I've got to throw in my 2 cents, right?)
If you don't pick up the Bag, then you'll miss out on the cool artwork by Hugh MacLeod.
And, if you don't pick up the Book, then you won't be able to read the state-of-the-web essay by Bruce Sterling.
Moreover, we've completely altered the room layout for the 2008 event.
The Book will have the best map to familiarize yourself with this new layout -- although we'll be posting a map online next week.
At any rate, hope to see you in Austin in Spring 2009!
> My only rebuttals are as follows (ha, I've got to throw in my 2 cents, right?)
Hugh, your two cents are always welcome. Question: How does the room layout have an impact on the conference/experience?
I was going to take you to Zoot this year. It's the site of the Best Meal of My Life two years running. Maybe we can go to Austin some other time. That is, unless it disappears when it's not SXSW. Like Brigadoon.
I sort of fall in the boat of "eh?!?" when it comes to SXSW. I went in 2004 and 2005, but missed 2006. Actually, I skipped it so I could go to An Event Apart in Atlanta (a much shorter trip than Birmingham-to-Austin).
I am not a big nightlife person, although I did make a few of the parties both years. The whole event just seems to have gotten too big and you can't really learn as much from an hour long panel split between 4 people speaking as you can in a more concentrated setting like AEA or even Webmaster Jam Session.
Anyway, that is my two cents. I just hope SXSW doesn't crash twitter for a whole week.
We were actually exploring the costume angle for Keegan but ruled it out as he has funky looking calves. You need to have nice calves to wear those green tights. Skateboarding has left Keegan's right calf much larger than the other. And frankly I just don't get paid enough to wear the costume myself.
what's happening around Palo Alto or SF in May that might be a new thing to attend? I missed out on SXSW so might as well look for a cool newbie event...
This is all humorous and true. And if I see Mike D., I'm going to run up to him and give him a big fat sloppy kiss.
@Josh: Two words. Pogo stick.
@Anna: I recommend A E A.
@Greg: Good advice! This year I'm not even taking my laptop, and probably not going to as many panels as before. Gonna chill a bit more and hang out meeting more people.
@Jared: Agreed on Waterloo records (but don't go with Richard Rutter unless you have an afternoon to kill! ;-), but disagree about Toy Joy. Went there last year to pick up something for the kid, and didn't enjoy it at all (tho maybe working at Hamley's in London when I was younger raised my expectations of toy shops!).
I'm a SXSW virgin... this will be my first time. What's there to do for wives who detest all nerds but their own and aren't getting a conference ticket?
I definitely second the parties. Though there are some awesome panels, the evening events are a nice change in pace after sitting in panels all day.
> What's there to do for wives who detest all nerds but their own and aren't getting a conference ticket?
Shopping. Eating. Shopping. Starbucks (there is a Peets but it's a ways away from the convention center). Shopping. And there's a great park a few blocks along the river.
SXSW is for computer geeks, not nerds - get it straight!
Computer Geeks = people who love computers because computers are cool
Computer Nerds = people who love themselves and think they are cool for using computers
Another good outlet at SXSWi (of course I'm biased as an organizer) is BarCamp Austin. http://www.barcampaustin.org is the site for the wiki, and we're also on Upcoming.org.
The event is free, and very low pressure (as well as a ton of fun). Come to present, or just to watch, have a drink and meet people! everyone gets a free souvenir badge and (fingers crossed) t-shirt as well, with the AWESOME Dillo logo you see on our site.
We are also always on the lookout for unofficial sponsors and donations (but none is required). :)
Could we have an ex-SXSWer conference? I gave up on SXSW when it got too crowded, but I really miss you oldies.
Lucian, I'd love to get in on that. I thought about organizing one up here in Cleveland but time got away from me and anyway, who wants to travel to Cleveland in March? I mean, I love it here (snow is beautiful!), but most people would rather not gamble on suffering flight delays due to inclement weather.
Maybe we could organize SXSE in Aruba for 2009.
Well, Portland used to host the NXNW music festival (child of the SXSW organizers) but it sucked. Everyone should come here to recreate it and drink our wonderful beer.
Lord, I feel old.
I was part of SXSW before it got all big and interactive-y. So I see this thread, and ask, "why is no one talking about the bands???
But the advice stand - the meet and greet is always more important than the panel. Panels can be cool (especially when Margaret Moser is on one), but there's too much else to do to be stuck in a room all day.