Why do I go to SXSW? To learn, grow, and build in-person connections with brilliant people from all over the world. For all of those reasons, this year’s SXSW (my 4th) was another huge success and probably my best to date.
Me with two of my five awesome SXSW 2012 roommates, Dionne Fox and Adria Richards
My advance preparations, as well as the mentoring I did before the conference, served me well in the inevitable chaos and serendipity that is SXSW. I met wonderful people, made important connections, articulated my professional direction, and accomplished many of my goals while helping others reach theirs.
I felt profoundly inspired, energized, and grateful. I did so much, and yet there was still so much more to do. I met and reunited with so many people, and yet there were still so many more I would have liked to have seen. It’s truly astounding to realize just how much happened at SXSW as I write my recaps, plan followup, and make notes for next year.
The panels I selected provided inspiration and new ideas to explore, while gathering people with similar interests and facilitating networking. To delve deeper into specific topics, I attend meetups and other conferences throughout the year. At SXSW, the content creates starting points for human connections with others in our vast and diverse industry.
This weekend, I have been in withdrawal, missing the people, social activities, geek conversations, hotel housekeeping(!), and even the ease of sponsored food and drink. (I’d thought I’d miss my kitchen, but I found some really great meals in Austin!)
Being present and surviving a week of SXSW was the easy part. Figuring out how to harness all of that amazingness and integrate it into everyday life is another challenge, but one I eagerly embrace as I map out the year ahead.
How was your SXSW? How do you plan to continue bringing SXSW into your daily life?
