SXSW Interactive attendees by Arthur Van Rooy.
Let us be the first to welcome you to SXSW 2013! Hosting so many digital creatives and next-generation innovators from across the United States and around the world is an immense honor. To this end, we are thrilled about all the panel content, networking events, brainstorming sessions and one-on-one connections that will take place over the next few day. We are also particularly excited about all the new elements that have been added to SXSW Interactive 2013.
Aaron Swartz Town Hall. Celebrate the life and ideas of open source activist Aaron Swartz at a special session on Friday evening, March 8 at 6:30 pm in Ballroom A of the Austin Convention Center. No SXSW badge is required to attend this special session.
Badge Pickup at Palmer. On Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8, you can pick up (or purchase) your SXSW badge at the Palmer Events Center, which is located at 900 Barton Springs. Lots of parking at Palmer, plus a free shuttle from there to the Austin Convention Center.
Digital Creative Job Market. Also located at the Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs) on Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8 is the all-new SXSW Digital Creative Job Market. The SXSW Digital Creative Job Market is free and open to the public – no badge required to attend.
Long Center Programming. A new venue for 2013 is the Long Center (701 West Riverside). From Bravo's Andy Cohen to Mayor Cory Booker to Mashable's Pete Cashmore to TV's Chuck Lorre (as interviewed by Neil Gaiman) to the comedy outfit JASH to musical legends They Might Be Giants, some of the event's most compelling programming will occur here.
SXSW Create. If you are part of the DIY movement, then be sure to check out the expanded SXSW Create. Located across Red River at the southeast corner of the Austin Convention Center, this outdoor builder-space will host a variety of programming. Don't miss Lytro's PhotoCamp at SXSW Create on Monday, March 11.
SXSW Home Room. At 9:30 am on the mornings of March 9, March 10, March 11 and March 12, attend the new SXSW Home Room sessions. Why? These sessions will provide a great preview of what to look forward to that day at SXSW Interactive. These sessions will also provide a great opportunity for networking.
Workshops. Another new addition to SXSW Interactive 2013 are extended sign-up-in-advance workshops, which take place at the AT&T Conference Center(1900 University Avenue). Check the online schedule if there are any slots open. Also, riding the free SXSW Venue Shuttle is the easiest way to get to the AT&T.
Much Much More. The beauty of SXSW Interactive is that there is always much more than can be listed in one blog post or one quick summary. In fact, March in Austin is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure story. As organizers, we have helped set the table. Your role in this production is to make the most of all the planned (and unplanned) activities. Have fun!
Also, if you have a great idea for the 2014 event, then we are all ears. Your feedback is a very valuable part of the ongoing SXSW organizational process. Please help us continue to improve by sending us your innovative proposals for new actives (as well as your comments on what you liked and what you didn't like about this year's event). We read all your email and your input plays a large role in shaping the next edition (scheduled for March 7-11, 2014). You can reach us at inter@sxsw.com.
Want a taste of SXSW creativity to jumpstart your day? Check out the illustrated "Sketchnoters Guide to SXSW" below courtesy our friends at ImageThink.
Courtesy ImageThink
