SXSW Interactive 2009 – Reflections
I had hoped to blog a lot more about my experience at SXSW Interactive this year but barely had time to breathe, let alone document all that happened in Austin. I will say this though, it lived up to (high) expectations and more – I’ll definitely be going back next year.
Since getting back life has been all about catching up on emails, running ridiculous errands and shaking some nasty jetlag. But I want to take 5 minutes to relay the highlights of the trip to encourage you (referring specifically to the more South African, social media-oriented among you) to find ways to get to events of the quality and calibre of SXSW, if at all you can. If you work for an agency or company like Allan does, convince them of the benefits of the trip, like Allan did. Contact him for persuasive tips :)
Probably the biggest thing that came out of the trip (for me) was the importance of being seen. That as opposed to seeing all the “big names” in social media, which I guess I expected in advance would be the major benefit of being there. Sure, meeting Guy Kawasaki, Jeremiah Owyang, Hugh MacLeod, Peter Kim, Maggie Fox et al was downright cool, but I felt the bigger benefit was being able to tell them about what was happening in South Africa and Africa. I was proud to share examples of the mobile growth, social media developments and entrepreneurial efforts springing up across our continent.
The other thing I committed to doing, especially considering I’ve been really bad at this at the past 3 international tech conferences I attended, was networking properly. Ok, let me rephrase. I networked unashamedly. I did the groupie thing, but only because I knew once I’d made the intro and started the conversation I was worth speaking to. And 9 times out of 10 the person on the other end of the conversation was humble, kind, accomodating and generous in their conversation.
Part of the allure of SXSW, I’m convinced, is the fact that it happens with a film and music festival, in the so-called home of live music in the US, Austin. Austin is a bizarre little (little relative to New York or LA that is, pretty darn large by SA standards) city, and believe me, when SXSW rolls around, the festivals own the city and the freaks come out. Big time. Whether it’s the dodgy nerds of social media, the musos of the music festival or the arrogant film buffs, not to mention assorted freaks who rock up simply to be a part of the vibe (read: 65-year old tranny, joint in hand, on street corner), you’re guaranteed to meet some very interesting people.
I’ve collected a few videos from the last few days that might give you a small sense of the magic surrounding the conference. To get a sense of the content check out www.sxsw.com and download a few of the podcasts and videos. Next year Allan and I will definitely be going back and hope to take an SA contingent with us. Please let me or him know if you’re serious about attending and we’ll start doing some investigations into group discounts :)
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Hi Mike,
sounds like fun; look forward to hearing how we can adapt some of the trends happening in the US to the South African setting.
SB
P.S Was entertaining some MBA grads from Austin last week at the farm, and they were raving about the SXSW…now time to convince my dad that it’s a good destination to sell wine into!
Hi Mike – great meeting you in Austin! Sorry it wasn’t until the end of the week, when I was pretty spent – although your energy and enthusiasm in discussing cerebra and your market was uplifting. Hope we cross paths again, sooner than later.
Mike, I’ve always had my eye on SXSW and wondered when some of us Saffa’s would make the trip to Austin and report back on its awesomeness – so kudo’s to you and Allan!
From a business perspective, I haven’t felt ready to attend an international festival such as SXSW, purely from a point of view that I’d spend a load of cash, but not be in a position to network properly and fully grasp the enormity of the event. That however has changed drastically in the last few months and God willing, I’ll be in Austin next year!
So, put my name down for the SA groupies wanting to attend SXSW 2010. I’m there baby!
@Simon @ JBagley definitely worth the effort, investment and time.
@Peter Kim ditto mate, hope you’ve had some down time since – looking forward to our next opportunity to chat.
Hey Mike – an extreme pleasure to have met you as well! I’m so glad we had a good long chance to hang out, and looking forward to catching up with you again soon!
It was really great to meet you in person, Mike. I look forward to seeing you again in Austin next year.
Whoa nice! It must’ve been great to meet someone like Guy Kawasaki.
It’s no easy feat what you are doing, all from so far away in South Africa. Takeaway from your post, which I wholeheartedly agree with – be present. And if you spend time evangelizing and gaining one supporter, you’ve expanded your network automatically by one – and slowly but surely, the word spreads.
Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing you again in person. I’m determined to make it out there one day soon. :)
~ Janetti