SXSW Interactive FAQ

Why is the SXSW Interactive Festival newsworthy?
Covering this event is a great way to get the scoop on tomorrow's technology trends today. SXSW Interactive is a place where top thinkers talk about what they see as the newest trends in technology. Typically, the ideas first discussed at this event make a big impact in mainstream culture two or three years later. For instance, many attendees say that the term "weblog" was coined at the 1999 SXSW Interactive Festival. Today, five years later, the popularity of blogging is sweeping the nation and the world.

Are uber-geeks the only kind of people who attend the SXSW Interactive Festival?
No! Any kind of geek can attend the festival! One of the major benefits of the SXSW Interactive Festival is that you can shape the event to match your expertise. Because of the wide range of panels and panelists you can learn and enjoy the festival whether you are a multimedia guru or whether you think Google.com is difficult to operate. Panels tend to focus on how technology can facilitate new ideas, new communication, and new creativity, as opposed to addressing hard-core technical issues.

What happens at night?
An exciting facet of SXSW Interactive is the nightlife. Attendees and panelists alike are invited to a wide array of evening entertainment and activities. These evening events provide a relaxed and casual atmosphere where participants can make new connections and further brainstorm on ideas discussed during daytime programming.

What have been some of the most memorable moments of SXSW Interactive?
The event debuted in 1994, featuring eight panel sessions and 36 total speakers. A year later, the significant growth of the event resulted in a gala Closing Party with special musical guest Willie Nelson. In 1997, Thomas Dolby (of the 80s hit song "Blinded Me By Science") talked about the future of online music in a memorable keynote speech. In 1998, South Park co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone designed the art for the Big Bag. In 2004, the impact of the Internet on the political process proved to be an underlying theme, as speakers included former Howard Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi, as well as Zach Exley and Eli Pariser of Moveon.org. The 2005 event boasted two best-selling authors who spoke on burgeoning technology topics: Malcolm Gladwell, author of "The Tipping Point" and "Blink" as well as author, actor, and radio host of "Air America" Al Franken. Meanwhile, 2006 keynote speakers included craigslist founder Craig Newmark, as well as Heather Armstrong of dooce.com.

Who are the panelists?
Panelists come to SXSW Interactive from all over the world. They are selected largely based on their popularity, voice, and style of content on the Internet. Sometimes even past keynotes and web award winners grace the panels with their presence. Panelists are typically leaders in the field and come to the festival to share with attendees some of their knowledge of the new and ever-changing field of the Internet and technology.

What happens at the Trade Show and Exhibition?
Scheduled Sunday, March 11 through Tuesday, March 13 on the top floor of the Austin Convention Center, the Interactive + Film (iF!) Trade Show + Exhibition is the hub of daytime activities at SXSW Interactive. In addition to 70+ exhibitors, this space hosts booths, tutorials, live interviews, book-signings, and receptions, as well as the Day Stage and Café which itself hosts panels and mini-events that are open to the public.

What is SXSWeek?
SXSWeek is the nine-day sensory overload that occurs in Austin every March. The fun begins on Friday, March 9, which is the first day of the SXSW Interactive Festival and the SXSW Film Conference and Festival. The SXSW Film Conference and the SXSW Interactive Festival run through Tuesday, March 13, and screenings for the SXSW Film Festival run through Saturday, March 17. The world-famous SXSW Music Conference and Festival begins Wednesday, March 14 and runs through Sunday, March 18. Established in 1987, the SXSW Music Conference and Festival is one of the world's largest music industry gatherings, featuring more than 1300 bands from across the nation and around the globe.

How does the feel of SXSW Interactive differ from the feel of SXSW Film or SXSW Music?
At SXSW Interactive, speakers and the attendees tend to function on the same playing-field. Since the panelists aren't typically mainstream icons, there's a sense that everyone is in the same boat and going in the same direction. Often, someone in the audience raises the most interesting points in a panel during the question and answer period.

How can consumers order SXSW paraphernalia?
Visit the merchandise page to see the latest as well as our vintage collection of SXSW products.