Austin, TX is my second home and always will be. The list and enormous sheer variety of restaurants, activities, and things to do there is incredibly long but that’s where I come in: taking the time to explore Austin during SXSW 2023 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and if you can squeeze some exploration into your downtime, you won’t regret it with these recommendations.
Feeling nervous about group events? I'm here to remind you that networking is a skill, and like all skills it’s something that can be practiced and becomes easier with said practice. It’s a great way to build new relationships, will allow you to learn about new technologies and opportunities, and ultimately, helps you build relationships. By being prepared, confident, open-minded, and following up, you can make the most of your time at SXSW and create valuable connections that will last long after the conference is over. Here is a beginner's guide to making the most of your networking opportunities at SXSW 2023.
SXSW shouldn't need an introduction, but just in case you don't know me very well (or Austin), here's the short of it: SXSW is a ridiculously large ridiculously amazing festival held annually in Austin, Texas that attracts over 400,000 attendees from across the world. Its focus is large, wide, and all-encompassing, including but not limited to, innovation, technology, music, film, health, gaming, and more. If SXSW 2023 is your first rodeo and you're planning an activation, event, or happy hour to engage and interact with your target audience, I'm here to give you a little bit of advice from a photographer's perspective, regardless of the size of your event.
Whether you’re going to SXSW for the music, comedy, films, or conferences, you’re sure to meet some quirky, intelligent, like-minded people. While you don’t have to make it an official networking trip, there are a few ways you can make it easier on yourself when meeting new people and making connections, personally and for business. Whatever your goal is for this year’s SXSW, here are three tips for next-level networking at SXSW 2022.
If you’re new to SXSW, you’re in for one of the most unique experiences of your life. This year, SXSW (pronounced South by Southwest or just “South By”) is March 11-20 in Austin, TX. That’s 10 jam-packed days of music, comedy, film, conference sessions, and networking. I know, it’s a lot. But here’s how you can make the most of it (coming from someone who’s attended as an Austin event photographer almost 10 times).
Were you headed to SXSW? Do you know how to survive a SXSW cancellation? 75,000 people were about to descend upon Austin, TX for SXSW, one of the world's premier music, film and tech festivals. For the first time in 34 years, the event will not go on. While SXSW is mostly known for its music festival, what really brings the money to Austin (and $350 million plus of it at that), is the Interactive portion, which draws a young audience of inventors, investors and risk takers looking for networking opportunities and the next big thing. At any given moment all over the city there are thousands of opportunities to learn, network, workshop and cultivate relationships. For 8 years now, I've been working for the Sales Department at the event, as a SXSW event photographer responsible for documenting the return on investment for their sponsors. It's exhausting. It's exhilarating. It's incredibly fun. And now, it's not happening. Here's how to survive in the wake of this devastating news.
75,000 people are about to descend upon Austin, TX for SXSW, one of the world's premier music, film and tech festivals. While SXSW is mostly known for its music festival, what really brings the money to Austin (and $350 million plus of it at that), is the Interactive portion, which draws a young audience of inventors, investors and risk takers looking for networking opportunities and the next big thing. At any given moment all over the city there are thousands of opportunities to learn, network, workshop and cultivate relationships. For 8 years now, I've been working for the Sales Department at the event, as a SXSW event photographer responsible for documenting the return on investment for their sponsors. It's exhausting. It's exhilarating. It's incredibly fun. If you're attending for the first time and looking for some answers on how to survive SXSW, I got you boo.
I am really fortunate to be returning to Austin for the third year in a row as an Austin SXSW Photographer. I look forward to [...]
