Personal Lessons Learned From SXSW 2010

I don't get out much. As a "collaborative agency" I'm not required to travel. I'm neither well-known enough nor garnish the benefits of a man who travels or speaks or appears at various functions for the sake of furthering his business. I work first, and work more and then keep working. Time is swallowed into work and being as profitable as possible. When I'm not working there is family duties and responsibilities. But when I was pressed by a close friend to give SXSW Interactive a try. I thought that perhaps this year was the best time for me to say goodbye to about $1500 and see what might happen.

First, SXSWi was an assault on my senses. The noise, the crowds, the visual distractions. I was overwhelmed while imbibing every moment. I had the overwhelming sense that I was suck in an airport terminal for 5 days and that attending some sort of "panel" would help pass the time until evening — when everything started to break free. By the end (of a very long day) my feet were throttled and my body completely drained (as I ambled my way to which ever party had free beer or food).

Second, it was about the people not the panels. Though there was some great insight into things outside my industry, or at the very least, reassurances that I'm on the right track with my strategies, experiences and practices, there was never an "aha" moment. But mingling with the "movers and shakers" or design, development and social media connects the entire web and mobile world into a (mostly) all-inclusive machine. Almost.

Third, though most of us are far removed from high school, we all still like to settle into groups of like minded individuals. Social media guys with other social media guys, designers with other designers, web development geeks with other web development geeks. There was little to no intertwining of these groups (unless they worked for the same company) — it felt as though there was an unspoken disdain for each group. I found this the most disappointing aspect of SXSW. Here we are, the "forefront" of this cohesive industry, yet we stay with those that make us comfortable; failing to see that we all could help each other (perhaps since I bridge the gap of all these groups, I was sensitive to the "natural selection" process). I tried my best to get outside my "comfort zone" and mingle with those whom I don't normally bump elbows with; as well as those whom I would (I'm not sure I succeeded at either; perhaps it's impossible to do both?)

Will I be going next year? That all depends if I can recoup the $1000+ in new work. I'm pretty hopeful.