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13 Tips to Making your Time at SXSW More Productive and Fun
SXSW 2009 is nearly here. This is the week before so I have some tips for you to maximize your experience.
1. Get lots of sleep this week. Really – GO TO BED EARLY all week. Exercise and eat well. You MUST roll into Austin in good shape physically and mentally; else you’ll crumble. Every day is very full from morning to well into the evening. You will want to get out and enjoy downtown Austin for the gatherings and parties which frankly is the best part of SXSW because you meet so many fascinating people.
2. Review the calendar of events and panels and make your first cut now. Don’t wait, you’ll be sorry once you’re sucked into the vortex.
3. Pick A and B for each panel time. The reason for this is the Austin Convention Center (ACC) is HUGE. If you get to a panel and you don’t like it or it’s crowded you simply must know how to find that B panel, else you’ll lose out on both. Sometimes you just pick the wrong one, so give yourself some options.
4. Go early to pick up your badge. Go early to pick up your badge. Go early to pick up your badge. Did I say that enough?
5. Toss out all the stuff they give you EXCEPT the drink tickets. The rest sadly, is useless.
6. There will be a very large catalog type book for Interactive and Film. Do not haul them each day. Simply pull out the panel summary page for each day and take it with you. Repeat each day.
7. Bring your laptop if it’s light. There is free WIFI throughout the ACC. You’ll want to take notes and hook up with people online in real time. During boring panels you can look like you’re taking notes while you catch up on your Twitter feed or FriendFeed …
8. There is no good food at the ACC. There is Starbucks though. If you don’t mind standing to eat and food that tastes like it came from the airport, then you can grab lunch at the ACC. It’s best to carry around some fruit and health bars in your back pack. Eat breakfast before you come each day and be prepared to just head out for lunch which is good for networking anyway. But remember everything downtown is crowded. Same for dinner – eat out.
9. Wear comfortable clothing. If you’re planning on doing some networking, wear something memorable. Why not?
10. Like most places, AC plugs can be as rare as hen’s teeth. If you’re up for it, bring a small extension cord with multiple plugins. Share …
11. Enjoy yourself. This isn’t your typical boring enterprise or academic type conference where everyone is worried about their next raise (well ok these days it’s worry about keeping your job). This is more like being in college.
12. Take plenty of business cards to give out. SXSW is the uber-conference for networking and plan on using those cards for taking down notes at odd times. Always follow up with folks that you meet even if it’s just to touch back and say hi.
13. Enjoy meeting people. It’s crowded but everyone is there for the same reason to learn and meet people. Say hello, introduce yourself, ask people about themselves and why they are there. Be interested in others. Most people work for themselves or in small businesses. Yes there are some folks from large businesses but most are just like you and me – self employed. Everyone you meet could be an opportunity for new business. It’s like 5 days of meet and greets for business versus dating and hey it’s fun because there is no worry of rejection. And lots of places have free drinks.
Now go to bed if you’re reading this late a night. You’re going to need your energy.
What did I forget? Leave a comment.
All the best
Tom
Great post!
For days walking around downtown, there is lots of concrete so wear shoes accordingly. Also, an extra pair of shoes to wear works great with all the walking around going on, a new/different pair of shoes can do wonders when switching up every other day, etc.,
Drink lots of water during the day!
Don’t forget to charge your cel at night. Best way to keep up is cel as so many networking events, parties, get posted last minute, etc.,
Be sure and attend pre-SXSWi opening night party and official opening night party. Great way to meet a lot of people you will be running into.
If you like Sushi, Kyoto on 4th & Congress has half price sushi between 6:00pm-6:45pm.
There is a huge amount of restaurants downtown, most cater more for the dinner crowd, though there is a ton during day for pizza, tacos and light eating. Lots of coffee shops around the convention center w/ free wi-fi.
13 Tips to Making your Time at SXSW More Productive and Fun: http://tinyurl.com/sxsw-13tips #sxsw
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Slackerwood is crossposting a film fest survival guide this week.
I’d add for film folks not sure how to schedule to pick your must-see films only playing once first, then fill in the rest. Or use BSide’s Festival Genius to help you figure it out at http://2009.bside.com/sxsw/.
For film related, Jette’s work at Slackerwood is a great read and lots of useful info. B-Side’s calendaring is an absolute life saver for any fest, especially SXSW, since you can customize your own, see what your overlaps are and print out your own handy schedule.
I’d also note on the Fantastic Fest midnight screenings get there super early as well as anything playing at the Ritz. Be sure to go to the Drafthouse karaoke party as well!
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