The Latest Bits & Bytes from SXSW Interactive

Every SXSW Interactive is one that we carry with us. We grow eager each year as we get closer to March, and the minute we leave, we immediately start the countdown to next year. It's our sanctuary. It's our retreat. It's our celebration. We grow together and we grow individually. And, each year, our gathering place is the Blogger Lounge.

Having a party in the city that never sleeps is always a sure bet, and our party at the HiFi bar in the East Village was no exception. Though there's always a lot going on in the city, we had a turnout that proved that folks are truly eager to make lasting connections. Special thanks, as always, to our friends at Porter Novelli, without whom none of this would be possible. Karen, Nate, and Alexa: You're the bomb! And of course, we couldn't have done it without our fabulous volunteers, Malcolm and Jennifer.

The bulk of programming for SXSW Interactive 2010 comes via the PanelPicker, an innovative online application that reflects the community-driven nature of this event. However, one of the drawbacks of the PanelPicker is that the submission process closed in July: in other words, more than six months before the event begins.

Join Ypulse for Youth Marketing Mashup 2010, where top brand, corporate, and social marketers, media professionals, educators and non-profit organizations gather to share best practices, research, and latest strategies on marketing to youth with technology. Confirmed presenters include some of the most well respected people in the industry, such as Guy Kawasaki and Neil Howe. This is the event where you'll find out what leading-edge technologies youth are using today...and will be using tomorrow.

The hype train is chugging full steam ahead for SXSW Interactive 2010 and ScreenBurn, fondly referred to as “Spring Break for Geeks” by many of the friendly start-ups who just happen to be planning their own excursions to the Live Music Capital of the World. But don't worry: We won't let you be left in the dust as everyone plans for the biggest gaming event of the year! You must first register to get an all-access pass into the minds of the world's gaming elite as they discuss in their panel sessions what's hot, what's not, and what will rock the industry next.

Steve Jobs recently revealed the highly anticipated iPad at Apple’s latest event in San Francisco. As far as its functionality is concerned, Apple’s new tablet computer is geared toward activities like accessing e-mail, internet browsing, watching videos, sharing pictures, and electronic book reading. The iPad’s display follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, the iPod touch and iPhone, and utilizes a familiar multi-touch user interface.

With upward of 400 panels, solo presentations, workshops, Core Conversations, and book readings planned for SXSW Interactive 2010, simply scrolling through our list of confirmed programming can be a daunting experience. If you can't attend everything from March 12 through March 16, you want the next best thing: attending as much of it as you can. Part of our job is to overload our registrants with information and opportunities, but we don't want any of our speakers and sessions lost in the shuffle.

As SXSW Interactive approaches, we'll post a weekly "Programming Parcel," wherein we'll break down our full list of confirmed programming into more manageable portions and present similar or somehow related content to help you plan out your conferencing, networking, and participation with MySXSW. See our previous Programming Parcels on Democratizing Media, Social Media, Multimedia, and on ScreenBurn. As always, feel free to ask questions by e-mailing inter@sxsw.com.

This week: Book Readings

Today, we shine our weekly Frequently Asked Questions spotlight on the genesis of SXSW Interactive. For more specific concerns and questions, please e-mail inter@sxsw.com.

Q: How long has this event been going on?

The City of Angels welcomed us with open arms for the first ever pre-SXSW bash in SoCal. Thankfully, the heavy rains let up in plenty of time for an incredible turnout of 350 at The Griffin in Atwater Village.

From our unequaled daytime programming to the Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator, from ScreenBurn at SXSW to the 13th Annual Web Awards Presented by Adobe, SXSW Interactive 2010 is the place to meet the personalities who are driving the digital industry forward. In addition to social networking expert danah boyd, who will give the festival's opening remarks on Saturday, March 13, and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, who will participate in a keynote interview on Tuesday, March 16, we're pleased to announce two more keynote presentations ...

Sunday, March 14

Valerie Casey, founder and Executive Director of the Designers Accord, will deliver the keynote address on Sunday afternoon, March 14.

Casey works with organizations all over the world to create positive social and environmental impact. She has been named a "Guru you should know" by Fortune magazine, a "Hero of the Environment" by Time magazine, and a "Master of Design" by Fast Company.

Monday, March 15

Twitter CEO Evan Williams and Umair Haque of the Havas Media Lab will participate in a keynote interview on Monday, March 15.

Williams has co-founded several Internet companies, including Pyra Labs (creator of weblog-authoring software Blogger) and Twitter, the now ubiquitous social media platform that hit its tipping-point at SXSW in 2007.

In addition to his role as Director of the Havas Media Lab, Umair Haque founded Bubblegeneration, an agenda-setting advisory boutique that shaped strategies across media and consumer industries.

For a complete list of speakers scheduled for the 2010 event, visit my.SXSW. »

On March 15 at the Hilton Austin Downtown, 32 companies will do their best to dazzle a live audience and panel of judges with ideas, innovations, and products that provide a glimpse into the future of technology. By March 16, after an intense and inspiring free-for-all, only 12 will stand a chance at capturing the attention of the industry and all that comes with it. And only four will emerge as Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW Interactive 2010 champions.

Knock'em-down-drag'em-out battles like this need referees, right? Commentators to call the action? Emcees who can entertain? Well, we're happy to announce that we have four, and today we're ready to tell you about two of them ...