By: Brittany Nicole La Hue
If you’re heading to SXSW this year, chances are you’re already overwhelmed. The schedule is packed, hotels are crazy expensive, and you’re not familiar with the area. How can you make the most of your SXSW experience in spite of the hectic schedule?
Anyone can log on to SXSW’s website and look at the (thousands) of panels and events going on. For a more useful guide to SXSW 2015, I turned to the experts – people who have been there!
Several tech journalists who attended SXSW Interactive 2014 festivities weigh in below, offering their advice on the best way to spend your time, how to get around town and what to eat. Read on for their advice!
Networking
The number one tip I heard was to network like crazy. Mashable’s associate entertainment editor Brian Hernandez recommended that you “Network your ass off” because “the connections pay off in the long run in your personal life and career.” The Enliven Project founder Sarah Beaulieu says you can do this by setting up meetings before you head to Austin – many people have their itineraries booked already so you should plan ahead.
Lodging
Most of the nearby hotel rooms are booked, or are insanely expensive. However, Mashable business and marketing editor Todd Wasserman heard that “you can still get decent places to stay via Airbnb,” even this late in the game. And if you do have to stay a little further from the venue? This brings us to our next advice, about transportation…
Getting Around Town
One of the biggest complaints I heard from past attendees was the difficulty of getting to the various events. Some of the film screenings are held at out-of-the way theaters, and it’s difficult to get a cab. Next Avenue’s assistant managing editor and senior web editor Richard Eisenberg recommends planning your schedule around the events downtown or carpooling with a friend who wants to go to the same events as you.
Eisenberg also notes that cab rides are incredibly costly at SXSW, and that’s if you can even hail a cab with all the crowds. Last year, he discovered the Austin train service. The train has a limited schedule, so check in advance, but it does drop you off right at the convention center if you are staying in a far-away hotel.
If you’re going to be traveling between distant events, renting a car might be your best bet.
Avoiding Long Lines
Lines were another major topic of conversation from SXSW 2014 attendees. Mashable business reporter Jason Abbruzzese warns “Be careful getting duped by long lines. A lot of time, whatever’s at the end isn’t worth the wait.” So basically, prioritize your schedule. What do you NEED to see for work or your own personal satisfaction, and what can you skip? And don’t just get into a line because it’s long without knowing what it is for!
Richard Eisenberg arrived early to all the panels and presentations, but still did not often get in. He advises thinking about how early you need to arrive, and then arriving even earlier than that to be safe! Eisenberg also says you could “come with a que sera sera attitude, prepared for possible disappointment.” Keeping an open mind about which events you see will only pay off in the long run – if you go with the flow, you never know where you might end up or what cool people you could meet!
Authentic Texas BBQ!
Last but not least, several journalists raved about the food in Austin. Mashable’s senior sports reporter Sam Laird suggests that SXSW 2015 attendees “eat all the BBQ and drink lots of water.” Eisenberg raved about the ribs. In any case, you’re in Texas! Take some time out of your busy SXSW schedule to explore the area and do as the locals do. It’s a cultural experience like none other.
Do you have any more tips for SXSW 2015 attendees? Let us know in the comments!
Who to Follow:
@PressKitcheners
@PressKitchenSF
@SXSW
@Mashable
@ProjectEnliven
@NextAvenue
@BAHjournalist
@JasonAbbruzzese
@ToddWasserman
@SamCMLaird
@richeis315
@SarahBeaulieu