Reflections of a SXSW Newbie

They say SXSW is a marathon not a sprint. Until you go, you don’t truly understand what that means. When your body, energy and mind are on their last legs – you have to dig deep, because that next connection could be the enduring one.

Whilst the content is the drawcard, it is the connections, relationships and new friendships that will keep me coming back. Everyone is open to a conversation... curious about where you come from, what you are working on and why you are at SX.

It can be standing in a long queue waiting to get into a session alongside Glenda Pittard , at a small NZ brand activation meeting the 'Kiwis in Austin' Founder James Carman Parsons III now aka 'Kiwi James' - thanks to Manuka Health for their amazing cocktails, to grabbing a drink at Australia House and connecting with Space start up Founders and industry leads Michael Moreno Bosco Lai and Yuk Chi Chan or sitting next to an inspirational speaker Michelle Risinger at a keynote.

SX is not about standing back and ‘receiving information’…it is about leaning in, getting amongst it, being vulnerable and starting conversations. Whether that is with fellow researchers Shaina Forman , Nik Harta in a piano bar, SX Sydney enthusiasts Jesse Osborne , reconnecting with colleagues in person Jon Reily and Lei Sun and forming new friendships Em Falk , Scott Cookson , Myles M. and Sam Ashton-Jones .

Time is fluid and days blur into each other…and you don’t even notice because you are so immersed in the experience. Thankfully, we had a fantastic house of LevelUp Founders that we could all download at the end of each day/night. Shoutout to my fellow roomies Caroline McCarten Knight H. Jean-Philippe DIEL Rebecca Marie Sally Hodges John Nichol and the inimitable Linda Jenkinson .

The mainstream sessions are crowded for a reason – you are being presented with the latest innovations from MIT or Amy Webb 's much anticipated 2024 Trends…spoiler alert – AI is apparently going to be big! ;-) You can observe what being truly famous is like – I have never seen so many cameras clicking at one time with no thought for anyone else – until Prince Harry walked in to watch Meghan Markle speak. Listening to Peter Deng – Head of Chat GPT navigate questions about how we are going to live alongside AI and artist remuneration.

I did have a few fan girl moments – I read Tim Ferriss ’s OG 4Hr Work Week in 2007 and seeing him on stage was a true highlight. Accosting poor Guy Kawasaki in the street and reliving my youth - Jon Bon Jovi…I have been Living on a Prayer ever since!

I was able to finally be ‘cool’ in the eyes of my 9yr old son when I showed pictures of Mark Rober speaking and showing videos of his glitter bombs.

But like many experienced SX goers told me, it is the unexpected and less populated sessions that will stick with me. Meeting Dylan Alcott AO was an honour. Listening to Dr. Jen Welter ’s inspirational story about her journey to becoming the NFL’s first female coach for the Cardinals. No mean feat! Sitting in a private Q&A with Ann Hiatt and being exposed to the inner workings of Google and Amazon’s leadership in her role as CEO ‘heat shield’.

These are just a few examples of the many sessions, connections and inspiring stories that I was privy to over the 8 days of SXSW. ?@SXSW Sydney is coming up in October. It is a unique opportunity to experience a mini version of SX on home soil or a quick jump ‘across the ditch’. Samantha Saunders and Fenella Kernebone you have a dedicated SX Sydney cheer squad! :-)