The Early Career Guide to SXSW: Five Business Goals to Accomplish

Are you a college student or recent grad eager to dive into your dream industry or supercharge your career? Look no further — SXSW is the ultimate launchpad for your next big leap!

The ultimate networking event, SXSW, is packed with opportunities for early-career professionals to reach new heights. Check out our top five business goals to kickstart your career and make the most of your time at SXSW 2024!

1. Go With a Group

Bringing a group of friends or coworkers to the event means you'll cover more ground, get multiple perspectives, and feel right at home in the Texas-sized crowd.

Bring your team of 10 or more to SXSW at an exclusive, discounted rate. Once your group is registered, book hotels through SXSW Housing.

Pro Tip: Booking through SXSW Housing grants registrants access to the lowest rates in Austin during SXSW. Plus, the earlier you book your travel arrangements, the more you’ll save.

2. Make a Plan

Don’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute with just days to go and no idea which panels, sessions, or networking events to hit. Plan ahead and make the most of it!

The official SXSW Schedule and SXSW GO app help you build your own personalized schedule in advance. As event time and location details become available, your personal schedule will be automatically updated.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to newsletters to keep up with announcements including our recent Conference Preview featuring community-sourced sessions.

3. Visit The Networking Lounge

New for this year in the Creative Industries Expo, we're excited to present the Networking Lounge. A great place for you to foster connections with industry professionals and learn more about potential career opportunities. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of creative careers and technology or explore new horizons, this lounge is the place to be.

Pro Tip: The Networking Lounge hosts events for specific industries so be sure to check the SXSW GO mobile app in advance to discover and Favorite events that align with your professional interests.

4. Prepare an Elevator Pitch

Get ready to answer “So, what do you do?” about 10 times a day at our networking events. Craft a snappy elevator pitch that highlights your current role, what you’re all about, and your big-picture goals.

Pro Tip: Bring extra business cards. If you run out, no fear. Search the SXSW GO mobile app's attendee directory to Favorite attendee connections and send direct messages.

5. Recap

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of SXSW and wind up not remembering half of it. A great way to refresh your memory of each day’s events is to gather with your team for a happy hour and recap the highlights of each session. You never know what you might’ve missed!

Register for SXSW 2024

Join thousands of other attendees deep in the heart of Austin, Texas from March 8-16, 2024 to celebrate the convergence of the tech, film, and music industries.

Market Your Brand at SXSW

Position your brand on one of the world’s largest stages. For SXSW 2024, there are a variety of exclusive marketing opportunities including Sponsorships, Exhibitions, Digital Advertising, and Custom Opportunities to help your business achieve its goals. Learn more about Marketing at SXSW and contact us today to find your brand's perfect fit.

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SXSW 2023 – Photo by Tico Mendoza