SXSW and other movements
We just returned from our first time attending SXSW Interactive in Austin, TX. Between the informative sessions, networking, after-parties, and even our own late night discussions, it was information overload in the best way possible. While many blogs and Twitter feeds will tell you about specific sessions and speakers, what really struck me is the event itself, and that each year, so many people gather in one place, hungry for knowledge sharing.
We just returned from our first time attending SXSW Interactive in Austin, TX. Between the informative sessions, networking, after-parties, and even our own late night discussions, it was information overload in the best way possible. While many blogs and Twitter feeds will tell you about specific sessions and speakers, what really struck me is the event itself, and that each year, so many people gather in one place, hungry for knowledge sharing.
In fact, the festival, who used to be known mainly for music, is now seeing the Interactive portion surpass it in attendance numbers. As the audience grows, so does Austin's economy. As seen in the SXSW economic fact sheet, last year's festival brought $113 million to the local economy. Attendees have a great time, and the city that hosts them also benefits. Seems like an ideal situation all around.
However, one night during the event, my co-worker Zach and I walked to an agency party pretty far out of the downtown area where most of the SXSW activity occurs. It was a part of town I hadn't been to before, so we both were more observant of the scenery around us - the bars, homes, and businesses that lined the streets.
Then we saw this (picture to the right, taken by Zach):
