As part of our feedback from the UK Creatives SXSWi Trip 09 - tips from our group for how to make the best of a SXSW experience.
The most valuable asset is the group you go with, take time to get to know them all.
Don't be overwhelmed by number of conferences, seek out what is most relevant to you, benefits occur post trip when you have had time to absorb the experience and knowledge acquired.
Throw yourself at the sessions early, but also take some time out of the conference hall to let things sink in and reflect.
Take work! SXSW is desperately short of content - UK content is compelling and excellent.
Do a panel.
Get to know the people you're going with as much as possible - the links we made before were really helpful and the support from the organisers was really important to a successful experience. It's a massive festival and the more people you're connected to the more opportunities will come from it.
Be open to a varied experience and range of people. Allow time to process this. Don't just go to as many things as possible. And walk out if it's sub-standard. Heckle and ask difficult questions if you have something to say. Otherwise listen, which is more difficult amid such a cacophony of voices and minds.
Tags: festival, sxsw
