Overload. That would be my first word to describe the living, breathing, massive event known as SXSW Interactive. From March 7th – 10th, I was in a constant state of movement, running from one panel discussion to the next. Making sure I was early enough to score a seat (most panels filled up - cutthroat and unscrupulous tactics may have been used) to hear top industry pros fill me in on what’s new and on the forefront of technology. Major themes of the festival included wearable technology (Glassholes were everywhere), location based marketing, and privacy issues that plague a world where nearly everything is accessible via the web. There was also no shortage of famous faces that were on hand to discuss the role technology has played in their lives.
Kevin Bacon was there to discuss and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the social phenomenon (and maybe the first instance of social media ever), Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, which he has now parlayed into a charitable organization SixDegrees.org. Bacon graciously raised quite a few people’s “Bacon Number” to 1 by shooting a Vine video with the audience waving in the background.
Another hot topic of SXSW Interactive was the virtual conversation with Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor that disclosed thousands of classified documents revealing the global surveillance programs ran by the NSA and several other nations. Snowden has been praised by many as the catalyst for improved national security.
The second word I would use to describe SXSW Interactive? AWESOME. My trip to Austin was impromptu, so I had no idea what to expect. From the perspective of a SXSW newbie, my mind was blown. There might not be another event on the planet where one has the opportunity to meet, rub elbows, and network with so many diverse technology, media, and marketing professionals. People from all over the world made the trip to Texas’ capital for this event. A fellow I met on the first day was from Ireland and it was the first time he had ever been to the states.
The four days I attended the festival were a whirlwind of new discoveries and thought provoking conversations with like-minded individuals in the wonderfully “weird” city of Austin. Thanks for a good time SXSW.
