In This Economy?

I’m a SXSW rookie. I’ll admit it. And because of this I’m extra excited to get down to Austin to start meeting people, learning things, drinking heavily and kissing strangers (in that order). I’ve been so thrilled in fact that I’ve been suffering from the excited insomnia a little kid may have on Christmas eve. Only for a month. It’s been rough.

So, to better help cope with my sleepless nights I’ve decided to write. And to be more specific, I’ve decided to write a five-part series profiling 50 things I can’t wait to see and/or do once my feet hit the ground at SXSWi 2010.

Each day for the next five I’ll be listing ten things that I think sound like can’t-miss events. Unfortunately a lot of them actually overlap in the schedule so I won’t be able to attend them all (unless my clone arrives before then), but I wanted to give them some love regardless. In some cases I even reached out to one of the people who put the panel or core conversation together to get some of their feedback on what to expect.

Alright, let’s kick this thing off.

Drocolate’s 10 things for Friday, March 12th

Oh, and one other thing — despite being numbered, these are presented in no order of importance. I’m judging most of them based solely on a blurb on the SXSW website’s schedule maker, so it really wouldn’t be cool for me to start ranking them. Yet.

Ok, here we go.

1. SXSW SARS

2:00pm/Austin Convention Center 7/Jay Goldman

“Each year at SXSW, you hear about “SXSW SARS” or “SXSW Scurvy.” Days packed with panels, movies, and concerts are exhausting and wear down your immune system. Learn some ways in which you can prepare for, and stay clear of getting sick at SXSW.”

This core conversation seems like a solid way to start the fest. I definitely hate being sick and to be sick during SXSW would be even worse. Assuming Mr. Goldman’s tips aren’t things like “do tons of blow” and “drink the blood of infidels” this should be a really valuable way to spend an hour. And if you think this panel idea seems weird just think about all the hands you’re going to be shaking during your time in Austin. Now think about all the hands those hands have been shaking. Now think about where all of those hands have been. You know at least one of them has been wiping a runny nose filled with SARSy, bird fluishness.

Yeah. Gross. Attendance at this one just might save your life.

Oh, and just for the record, my personal method to staying healthy when you’re treating your body like shit is to ingest lots of Vitamin C. Or as I’ve called it in the past — Swine Away.

2. Networking at a Multi-Day Conference

5:00pm/Hilton E

“One of the main reasons that people attend a multi-day conference is for the “networking opportunities”. However, once there they fail to make meaningful connections that will lead to ongoing relationship and future opportunities. This presentation delivers usable tips and actionable advice that will help people get them most out of their interactions with other attendees.”

So, thanks to the SARS convo mentioned above, I’ve cleared myself of SXSW herpes and am now ready to meet some people. But before I do that it might be a good idea to learn some tips and tricks on how best to network the shit out of the festival.

That’s where this core conversation comes in. It’s got a basic premise, but that’s a really good thing. Now that you have your business cards printed all you need to do is learn when and where to exchange them.

Did I say business cards? Uh oh.

Next.

3. How To Not Be A Douchebag At SXSW

5:00pm/Courtyard Rio Grande B/Ed Hunsinger, Violet Blue

“Aimed at both first-time and long-time attendees to SXSW Interactive, this biting and humorous, yet useful panel takes a look at the common actions and behaviors to avoid if you don’t want to be described as “doing it wrong.”

This one is right up my alley. So much so, that I reached out to one of this core conversation’s organizers, Ed Hunsinger, to learn more about it.

5 Questions with Ed Hunsinger

1. Why should I attend your core conversation at SXSW?

“You should attend our core conversation for laughs and learning. You’ll laugh at just how ridiculous some of the douchebags are out there, and you’ll learn how to avoid making douchebag mistakes.”

2. What makes you the right person to be conducting this convo?

“Being a geek in the tech world, I’ve watched as the non-techs creeped in, bringing douchebag behavior with them. Last year at SXSW I noticed that a lot of this sort of behavior was concentrated (and too often accepted) in Austin for that week. I’m hoping to educate a few people to help prevent this behavior from getting worse.”

3. What are a couple quick examples of behaviors a SXSW douchebag may exhibit?

“Handing out a business card before even learning your name. Interrupting people in a conversation in order to meet someone. Tweeting every other sentence of a panel or talk. Not respecting people’s personal space, contact info, and preferences.”

4. What should I do if I encounter a douchebag at SXSW? Do I tell them or just let them go? Can I help? Are there procedures for undouchebagifying yourself?

“Please tell them! I’m hoping that with this talk the awareness of douchebag behavior will increase and that it will become easier for people to say “you’re acting like a douchebag” to people. Just because you are acting like a douchebag doesn’t instantly make you one, but every bit of douchebag behavior is one step closer to becoming an all around douchebag, and nobody wants that. Of course, some people are already beyond saving, and sometimes it’s best to just walk away from the situation.”

5. What name do you most associate with the word douchebag? For me (and I apologize in advance if you have friends and/or family with these names) it’s a tie between Tristan and Hunter.

“Hmm, I’m not sure if there are any names I associate more with douchebags (well there are a few specific names, but we won’t get into that). It’s more the behavior of people that peg them rather than their name. I think job titles are better indicator of potential douchebaggery. Titles like “Social Media Guru” and “New Media Expert” are big red flags.”

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Thanks, Ed! I’m looking forward to your convo. And I totally agree about the “New Media Expert” tag. Ugh.

4. Cooking for Geeks: Science, Hacks, & Good Food

5:00pm/Austin Convention Center 9ABC/Jeff Potter

“Cooking for Geeks covers a new way of looking at how to cook for the hacker, maker, and creative person. By bringing science and experimentation into the kitchen, this panel will show how to create better food and new experiences at the dinner table.”

I like science and I like good food and I’m kind of a geek so this panel sounds pretty rad to me. It has the potential to be even radder if I somehow get the opportunity to eat some of that good food out of a beaker. I love beakers.

Don’t judge me.

Let’s move on.

5. Kick-Ass

7:00pm/Paramount

I don’t actually have a film badge but this needs to be on my list regardless. This movie looks extremely strong. Just watch that trailer. And then go HERE and watch the red band version.

Nic Cage may be able to afford another island soon after this one.

6. ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income

5:00pm/Austin Convention Center Day Stage/Darren Rowse

I don’t think I need to say much. It’s ProBlogger reading to us about how to become a hundred thousandaire by doing what I’m doing right now. Yeah, I’m in (or at least one of my clones is… why does EVERYTHING have to be at the same effing time!).

7. The Broke Diaries: Using Blogs And Twitter To Live Cheaply

2:00pm/Hilton A/B/Nichelle Stephens, Hayes Davis, Larry Chiang, Emily Farris, Faye Penn

“The word, “recessionista” was just coined last year, but there are cheapskates who have been writing and sharing creative tips about how to live frugally for years. The panel will discuss how they scope out the best deals and tips to share with their readers. Panels will talk about the thrill of getting a good deal and/or just living better with less.”

Wow. We here at ITE would love to believe that we have helped some of you guys live a little more cheaply over the past 380ish days, so this panel just fits. I got in touch with panel organizer Nichelle Stephens to learn more.

5 Questions with Nichelle Stephens

1. Why should I attend your panel at SXSW?

“The Broke Diaries will be a revival session for people who are fun loving cheapskates. The panelists, attendees and I will talk about where online you can find cheap or free things that make you happy, save you money, give you something to brag about.”

2. What makes you the right person to be leading this panel?

“Well, anyone who knows how to stretch a dollar while living in an expensive city like New York could lead this panel. I have an accounting degree, so I know the best way to have money is to either spend less or earn more. I thought of the panel because I noticed that some of my friends were shattered by the economy last year. I wanted people to know it is OK to be broke.”

3. What have you found to be the most useful resources for finding deals and/or other money-saving tips?

“Recently, I find a lot of deals on Twitter. CheapTweet is a great aggregator for deals. I also find things on FreeCycle, CraigsList, Groupon, Woot. Locally,there are free events on FreeNYC and Brokelyn.”

4. What are a couple quick pieces of advice that you would give to someone who is thinking about starting a deals/finance/economy-based blog?

“For years, I have been sharing tips about free stuff. Be known as the person who knows about cool cheap stuff. Seek out fellow thrifty people. Don’t be afraid to be “servicey”. Have fun!”

5. As someone who has been before, is it possible to get through the entire SXSW Interactive festival without spending any money?

“Last year, the first thing I did to save me money is to go to CVS and load up on granola bars and other snacks. The food at the convention center is too expensive and the lines can be long. Go to the free BBQs, but you have to get there early. The same deal with all the parties is get there early. Go with a friend to double up on drinks. For lodging, you can couchsurf.”

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Thanks, Nichelle! Not only did you do a great job promoting your panel but you also made me feel good about (some of) the work I’ve done here at ITE! Yeah!

8. Using Social Media to Score…a Job (Obviously)

5:00pm/Courtyard Brazos 2/3/Sarah White, Dave Peck

“You use social media for our friends, dating and… finding a kicka** job you love? If you aren’t using sites like twitter, linkedin, facebook and more for anything other than a bootycall or posting pic’s -- you aren’t even REALLY trying! Come get a job the fun way!”

This one, much like the previous one, is directly tied to what we are often talking bitching about here at ITE. This one will be a must-attend for two groups of people: 1.) People who do not currently have jobs and 2.) people who have actually used LinkedIn for a bootycall.

And I want to meet that latter group. And shake their horny hands.

9. Eight Ways to Deal with Bastards

5:00pm/Hilton A/B/Bryan Mason, Jason Shellen, Lori McLeese, Karen Walrond

“If 99% of your customers are fantastic, you’re still going to deal with bastards. And even the best of us make bad hiring decisions. But there are time-honored approaches to defusing crises, deflecting attacks, and denuding d-bags. This panel of seasoned pros will discuss and advise.”

YES! I really need this one because I have dealt with some total bastards in my time here at ITE. There’s that rondostar asshole and that bitch, breadwinner. And don’t even get me started on SurlyZ.

Yeah.

In all seriousness though, this one sounds like a great panel that pretty much anyone who has ever had a job can relate to. Definitely check it out if you can.

10. Awkward Family Photos

5:30pm/Austin Convention Center Day Stage/Douglas Chernack, Michael Bender

Yeah it’s the same Awkward Family Photos that you think it is. Just look at that photo. Do I really need to give any more incentive to check this one out?

I do? Ok, here:

I rest my case.

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Wow. That is a jam-packed day. And it’s only the first day. And it’s pretty much just a half day. I need to catch my breath after just writing about it.

Check back tomorrow for my thoughts on day two (and for more horrendous stock photography).

YEAH!

Tags: SXSW, SXSWi

This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 12:11 AM and is filed under Good News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.