About
The SXSW Innovation Conference provides an opportunity for the global community of creatives to encounter cutting-edge ideas, discover new interests, and network with other professionals who share a similar appetite for forward-focused experiences.
Explore what's next in the worlds of tech, film, music, culture, and beyond across a variety of Formats, Keynotes, and Featured Speakers at the SXSW Innovation Conference.
With one unified conference spanning different tracks of programming, you'll find more opportunities for networking, learning, and discovery in Austin, Texas.
Featuring a variety of tracks that focus on the most important breakthroughs in technology and culture, SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.
Check out the important dates and deadlines below, and be sure and sign up for the SXSW Event Updates and Community Newsletters as well.
Conference
formats
Keynotes
Powerful Presentations by Diverse Visionaries
Daily Keynotes showcase some of the world's most inspired thinkers with powerful new ideas in the ever-evolving worlds of technology, film, culture, and music.
Featured Sessions
Mind-expanding Conversations
Featured Sessions bring together some of the biggest and brightest names of our time. Spanning across various trends and SXSW Conference tracks, Featured Speakers present a snapshot of the most transformative ideas shaping our future.
Presentations
Gain Industry Expertise
Presentations include 1-2 experts offering deep dives into targeted topics.
Panels
Expert Dialogue
Panels feature 3-4 industry professionals sharing different perspectives based on a specific subject.
Workshops
Up Your Career Development Game
Workshops offer a variety of hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways for professional growth.
Mentor Sessions
Connect with Industry Experts
Mentor Sessions offer one-on-one coaching by professionals from all areas of the tech, film, and music industries. Within the 75 minute duration of Mentor Sessions, there will be five one-on-one meetings.
Meet Ups
Find Your Next Creative Collaborator
With SXSW attracting registrants from all over the world, Meet Ups are a more relaxed way to connect, seek out inspiration, and find collaboration opportunities across a wide range of industries, interests and groups.
Book Reading
Listen In Live
The Book Reading format presents authors and their audience a chance to explore the themes or motifs present in their work, live at SXSW.
Book Signing
Get Face-to-Face with Authors
Connect with authors one-on-one at the SXSW Book Store while they sign their latest work.
Core Conversations
Interact and engage
Sessions with more direct interaction with the audience than a typical Panel format. Leaders engage and guide their audience in a lively discussion on the topic at hand. Audience size limited to approximately 50 participants.
Pitch Events
Discover the Next Big Idea
SXSW Pitch showcases innovative technologies to a panel of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, venture capital investors, and angel investors.
Podcasts
Listen to Stories Unfold
Podcasts bring established episodic audio series to SXSW for special live recordings in front of an engaged audience.
Fireside Chats
Be Part of a Conversation
Fireside Chats include 2 speakers in conversation discussing a variety of topics.
tracks
brand & marketing
March 12 - March 18, 2026
Geared towards agencies and organizations that want to strengthen connections with their communities and clients. This programming features effective approaches to brand strategy as well as novel methods of engaging audiences through traditional, digital, and experiential marketing practices.
Cities & Climate
March 12 - March 18, 2026
Explore the cutting-edge innovations in sustainability, conservation, and climate tech that are building more resilient cities and communities. From decarbonized infrastructure to measurable social impact, see how climate resilience is shaping the urban experience and the future of our planet.
Creator Economy
March 12 - March 15, 2026
The Creator Economy track explores the rapidly evolving world where digital creators, communities, and content shape culture and commerce. With nearly one in four people participating globally in the creator economy, this track unpacks the tools, trends, and tactics to succeed within the fastest-growing sector in small business.
Sports
March 12 - March 18, 2026
The Sports Track dives into the future of athletic performance, next-generation fan experiences, and the evolving economics of professional leagues, from AI-driven analytics to immersive media. Discover how groundbreaking startups and established organizations are redefining the global sports ecosystem.
Gaming
March 12 - March 18, 2026
The Gaming track explores the industry’s powerhouse status as a dominant entertainment and cultural platform. This programming highlights how brands, marketers, and creators are leveraging immersive gaming ecosystems to build deep community connections and launch next-generation digital campaigns. Dive into the groundbreaking innovations and creative breakthroughs leading the next wave of multimedia evolution.
Lifestyle
March 12 - March 18, 2026
The Lifestyle track is dedicated to exploring how personal identity, culture, and emerging trends shape our daily lives and choices. It offers a wide lens on content ranging from the future of fashion and wellness to the dynamics of relationships and the impact of digital media. Discover conversations that celebrate individual expression and innovation within communities, defining what it means to live in the modern world.
tech & ai
March 12 - March 18, 2026
Artificial intelligence and the tech industry have become inseparable forces driving innovation and transformation across the globe. This track highlights cutting-edge platforms, visionary leaders, advanced software, and state-of-the-art hardware that are shaping the future of technology and society. Explore how Tech is redefining industries, powering new business models, and creating the next wave of breakthroughs in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
design
March 16 - March 18, 2026
The Design track looks at the intersection of creativity and functionality, spotlighting the creatives shaping how we interact with the world around us. From UI to UX, explore the visual, structural, and strategic layers of design that define our digital and physical environments.
health
March 16 - March 18, 2026
This track showcases the cutting-edge technologies transforming healthcare, delivering more personalized and effective patient outcomes. It serves as a dynamic forum for exploring innovations in longevity, life extension, and mental health. Join conversations that highlight how technology and comprehensive care models are redefining the future of health and well-being for all.
SXSW Pitch
SXSW Pitch showcases innovative technologies to a panel of industry experts, high-profile media professionals, venture capital investors, and angel investors.
Jessica Robinson, Rahul Meka, Brian Dixon, Bryony Cooper, Lisa Burton, Keith Crossland, Lin Sun Fa, Brad Husick, Bryce Oldham, Shaun Moore, Elmar Kert, Courtney Ehrlichman SXSW Pitch: Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability at "SXSW Pitch: Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability" at Hilton Austin Downtown on March 08, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
innovation FAQ
Submissions faq
We’ve compiled a comprehensive FAQ page to cover all of your questions about PanelPicker
Archive
Visit the schedule to stay current on every Format and Track to make sure you don't miss a beat. Some of the brightest minds in the world converge at South by Southwest each year. Through careful curation, SXSW has made sure that your access to these thought leaders is unparalleled.