SXSWi – What’s In and What’s Out

by Margaret Barry

SXSW® Interactive (SXSWi) features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology. Whether you attend the festival or not, you won’t want to miss our March 16 luncheon, which features a timely panel discussion, “Hot Topics & Trends of SXSWi.” Panelists Anna Gonzalez, tech reporter for CNN; Carla Thompson, former  tech PR guru and now founder/CEO of Sharp Skirts; and Shennandoah Diaz, president of Brass Knuckles Media will discuss what they learned from the festival and share valuable insights into the state of interactive media now and in the future. Graphic designer Ilene Haddad will act as moderator.

In preparation for this lively lunch, we asked our panelists and moderator to answer this question:

What are you most looking forward to at SXSWi this year?

 

Carla Thompson, panelist
I’m most looking forward to new conversations with and about women entrepreneurs. I am more than ready to welcome a new era for women in the tech world, as I think many others are too, and think SXSW is the perfect place to kick it off!

Anna Gonzalez, panelist
I am most looking forward to speaking with entrepreneurs and innovators who have been to SXSW in the past and have blossomed from their experience. How are they putting the technologies and relationships discovered at SXSWi to use? The ‘ah-ha’ moment is yet to be discovered, but I’m sure we’ll talk about it once everything has been said and done on Wednesday!

Shennandoah Diaz, panelist
This year I am most looking forward to a couple of things. First of all I am excited about all of the people I get to meet, especially my clients and my #USguys cohorts who are coming in from all over the country to visit us during SXSW. The #USguys group has been an amazing think tank and source of innovation in social media, marketing, leadership, and business. I’m also excited to have the opportunity to sit down and interact one-on-one with the entrepreneurs and techies innovating communications, publishing and business. I already had the chance to chat with the Hashable team and look forward to meeting with Keepstream, Simon Salt, and other innovators!

Ilene Haddad, moderator
I’m all about the “social” in “social media,” and SXSWi is the perfect illustration of how technology connects people both online and in real life. I look forward to all the unplanned and unexpected happenings in the coming days.*

*Although Ilene is not attending the actual festival, she is hosting a two-day open house for bloggers during SXSW called #BloungeATX.

You won’t want to miss this exciting and thought-provoking panel discussion! Register online before 5 p.m. TODAY to receive the early bird discount.