4 Ways to Make the Most of SXSW

By: Michelle

After dreaming about SXSW for a while, I was so excited to have the opportunity to go this year. It wasn't until I stepped on site in Austin that I truly understood the sheer size of the event. One of the biggest hubs for tech, film, music, and culture, there was so much going on — sessions, keynotes, and activations — that it was difficult to decide where to begin.

I quickly realized this was part of the beauty of being at SXSW. With people from so many different industries present, there was truly something for everyone. From the latest tech innovations to emerging independent artists, the event offers such a diverse range of topics that I felt certain Austin, Texas (at least for a few days) was a microcosm of current culture. For those who hope to go to SXSW next year, here are my tips for making the most of this incredible experience.

Optimize your schedule, maximize your fun

With so many sessions taking place at the same time, it’s helpful to plan out which events you want to attend so you can make the most of your time. I downloaded the SXSW app on my phone, making it easy to browse through the different events and create my own schedule. 

I also turned to social media to see who from my network was attending the event and participating, using the #SXSW on Twitter and LinkedIn. This helped me identify which sessions were most relevant to my interests and clients, while also connecting with people I know. We recommend that our clients participating in SXSW promote their session on social media several times leading up to the event to amplify and maximize their presence there — and I figured why not do the same for myself!

Get a glimpse into the future (spoiler alert: it's AI)

When you arrive at SXSW, you find yourself both immersed in the present moment and looking toward the future. With all the buzz around ChatGPT, it’s no surprise that this year’s most talked about topic was the future of AI. Axios hosted an event on AI and communication, discussing the impact AI has on the PR industry. 

One takeaway that stuck with me was that AI is expected to fundamentally change the relationship between brands and agencies by empowering people to focus on value-based creative and strategic work, versus tedious and time-consuming tasks. I walked away inspired by the ways AI will revolutionize how people work and exchange ideas, in my industry and beyond. 

Get ready to find inspiration everywhere

I couldn't have imagined how much inspiration I would draw from my experience at SXSW. As I went from session to session, I noticed a strong international presence with attendees visiting from Japan, Europe, and all around the globe, helping me learn about new technologies, best practices, and the success stories of today’s innovative leaders.

The presenters I enjoyed most at SXSW reinvented the traditional panel — using fascinating data, videos or graphics, and fun interactive elements like trivia games. Our client Joby Aviation spoke at a panel session titled “Flight Club: The Air Taxi Takeoff.” While Joby’s commercial passenger air taxi service is not publicly available yet, the team presented a video to help the audience visualize what a Joby looks like in the air. Separately, during NASA’s keynote session, they revealed a never before seen image from the James Webb Space Telescope, captivating the audience further. 

As storytellers, we often help our clients design and submit standout submissions for speaking opportunities at events, so bringing these types of creative ideas to the table (like offering exclusive news!) can change your client's experience.

Explore beyond the events and sessions

SXSW took over almost all of downtown Austin, which meant there were countless highly curated spaces to meet people in real life. From a La Croix pop-up to Fast Company’s grill, these interactive activations enable clients to amplify their presence beyond speaking sessions by hosting roundtables, media dinners, or 1:1 meet-ups at local coffee shops. People are eager to connect offline, so reaching out to your network and mentioning that you’ll be at SXSW will likely increase interest and engagement!  

I also took the opportunity to go outside my comfort zone and see one of my favorite artists James Vickery by myself (give him a listen here). It was a humbling experience, and the vibes and music were immaculate in real life.

My experience at SXSW was exciting and informative. I loved gaining a global perspective on the tech industry, learning about the latest innovations and trends, and connecting with fellow storytellers. I’m already looking forward to going back next year — thank you Cutline for sponsoring my experience!