Never been to SXSW before and attending Interactive for your first time? Hopefully this quick 101 can help you out!

1. SXSW 2011
INTERACTIVE
@tessa’s quick “south by” 101 introduction... omg!

2. what i’m going to quickly touch on
★ why SXSW is not like any other conference you have ever been
to or will ever go to
★ what to pack + some cool tools to use
★ panels, sessions and other content, oh my!
★ networking & parties
★ must do’s & dont’s + additional tips & tricks
★ questions?

3. why sxsw is like no other conference
★ *nobody* is in a suit or tie. unless it’s a hipster and they are
trying to be ironic. button up shirt is the dressiest it gets. t-shirts
are the norm.
★ the conference is all over the place. events are in every nook
and cranny around the city. in addition to the convention center:
bars, clubs, clothing stores, restaurants, sidewalks, fields,
offices, balconies, hotels, their lobbies... you get the point.
★ quality. there’s follow-through. there’s product launches. ideas
challenged. rules broken.

4. what to pack
★ the weather is usually HOT but can be VERY RAINY. constantly indoor then outdoor then indoor
again. bring sufficient layers. and extra socks. don’t forget: this is texas we’re talking about.
★ power strips are not only helpful for borrowing taken power outlets but making new contacts and
friends.
★ extra chargers and batteries. yes, it is sort of like camping. portable chargers = bonus points.
★ good shoes. how good that looks is up to you. you will be standing and walking A TON.
★ sunglasses, camera, card reader/usb, low tech (paper/pen), chapstick, sunscreen, swimsuit.
★ energy bars, dried fruit... portable snacks. again with the camping. if you’re taking full advantage of
the sxsw experience, it is likely you will forget to eat. don’t pass out.
★ business cards. duh.

5. some of the cool tools to use
★ sched.org - the absolute best scheduling tool there is for sxsw. printable, mobile-friendly, easy to
update, can see your schedule on top of others’ in seconds.
★ Plancast - keep track of events (and some sessions). not my favorite service but it’s there.
★ Sitby.us - check into panels you’re attending and network with others in the room!
★ Foursquare & Gowalla - typically Foursquare is more popular but Gowalla is Austin-based so it’s a
bit of a wash. try using both.
★ Beluga - group texting ftw. no smartphone required.
★ Hashable - keep track of who you’re meeting. other neat features too. dig in.
★ Contxts - text message business cards = highly efficient. and green!

6. panels, sessions & other content
★ there are literally thousands of speakers at sxsw interactive. they aren’t all
the bees knees. (sorry kids!) choose panels and sessions to attend based
on who is speaking first and the topic of discussion secondary. the
keynotes usually rock.
★ have multiple sessions you’re interested in at the same time? panel hop!
it’s perfectly acceptable - just be sure you are sitting/standing in the back
of the room and on the edge, as to not disturb others.
★ they can fill up so if there’s something you really want to hit, get there 15 to
20 minutes early.

7. networking & parties
★ lines are *always* long. be patient. don’t cut. be kind.
★ most events during sxsw interactive require an interactive, gold or platinum
badge.
★ business cards are still prominent but as you’re not likely to be carrying a
whole box, have a backup way to keep track if who you are meeting.
★ don’t try to sell. try to build relationships. these are parties. take it easy on
the hardball. make new friends.
★ take advantage of location-based apps to see who else is in attendance!
★ breakfast events are highly underestimated and less crazy. take advantage
of these.

8. must do’s & dont’s
★ be organized. have some idea of what is
going on which day, however you prefer to
organize it.
★ make sure your twitter, facebook, and
linkedin profiles have a clear and recent
photo of you. be consistent cross-platform.
★ have a link and updated bio on your twitter
profile. (beginners: make sure you have a
twitter profile!)

9. must do’s & dont’s
★ BE OPEN. half the internet will be there. there will be differing opinions and
greatly varied experiences. listen to others’ stories more than you talk. do
not judge.
★ TRY NEW THINGS. not drugs. ;)
★ don’t just stick with those you know. MEET NEW PEOPLE. they’re friendly.
★ take breaks. it’s easy to get wrapped into running around. don’t get SXSW
SARS. though austin does have a lovely hospital.
★ BALANCE parties and panels. the socializing is just as valuable, if not
more.

10. additional tips & tricks
★ pedicabs are your best friend. don’t expect to get a cab. they’re all taken.
and roads will be closed. pedicabs are bicycle rickshaws. tip them!
★ carry your phone charger with you at all times. your phone will die, if not
from usage, from trying to connect to the impossible-to-connect-to service.
★ on that note, don’t rely on your phone or wifi for anything. plan ahead and
be flexible. manage expectations accordingly.
★ RSVP for everything and assume you’ll make nothing. lines, capacity, travel
time, meeting other cool new people who are heading elsewhere. again: be
flexible.

11. questions?
@tessa | tessa@tessahorehled.com