Coolest Conference Ever - South by Southwest (SXSW)

In two weeks the SXSW Interactive Show begins and we at CLM couldn’t be more fired up. This year we’re taking the entire company to the show and have a whole range of activities planned. I’m not normally one to hype things, but if you’re thinking about attending SXSW Interactive, consider this a plug to go. It’s the single best conference I’ve ever attended. And if you’re going to be there, please stop by and see us at one of the events listed below.

Why We Like SXSW

Last year Sandra and I attended SXSWi for the first time to promote our book and we walked away completely hooked. You can check out Sandra’s summary of our experience at last year’s event here.

We didn’t know what to expect when we landed in Austin last year. We were vaguely aware of the SXSW Music and Film festivals, but SXSW Interactive hadn’t even been on our radar prior to then. But after only an hour at the show, it was clear there was something radically different going on here. The programming made you actually think. The panelists were truly interesting people who had something valuable to say. And yes, there were a number of famous people. But what made the biggest impact on me was the other attendees.

I can’t completely put my finger on it, but there was something different about these people. The open-mindedness, the passion for the Web, the desire to make a difference. These people had all that. But I also had the sense that these people could – and would - actually DO the things being talked about, instead of just talking about them. The people and the nature of the event itself created this hum and buzz wherever we went that was just intoxicating. Having done the event/speaking circuit for a number of years, I don’t know that I’d point to any show as being so good for business and the soul as SXSW.

What’s CLM Doing at SXSW?

As I mentioned in the beginning, the entire team is going (we’re not into doing things halfway). In a way, this is the annual company meeting, only with better music and no conference rooms. Yes, we’ll be attending the panels during the days and partying down during the nights. But we’re really going to help promote the company. Here’s a snapshot of our participation:

#1: At the SXSW Film + Interactive Trade Show
Austin Convention Center, Level 4, Grand Ballroom, Booth 616/717

• Saturday, March 14, Noon – 6pm
• Sunday, March 15, Noon – 6pm
• Monday, March 16, Noon – 4pm

For the first time in CLM history, we’re exhibiting at a Trade Show. As skeptics of exhibiting, we’re looking to make this fun, interactive and valuable to visitors. So stop by our booth for a free, no-obligation one-on-one SEM Assessment or Conversion Consultation. Or just enter to win a really nice bottle of wine.

#2: At the Bike Hugger Mobile Social BBQ
Brush Square Park, West Tent, across from the Austin Convention Center

• Saturday, March 14, 4 – 6pm

As I’m a cyclist and a few other CLMers like to ride as well, we’ve signed up to co-sponsor this BikeHugger event in Brush Square Park. Come for the food, beer, schwag and raffle. Sycons, the DJs of the Sun to perform. We’ll have a table in the tent. Follow me on Twitter for details about the After Party at Mellow Johnny’s (Lance Armstrong’s bike shop). Additional party details and registration info.

#3: At the Block Party
Austin Convention Center, Level 4, Grand Ballroom, Booth 616/717

• Sunday, March 15, 4 – 6pm

SXSW, as cool as it is, has set aside time during the Trade Show for a progressive-style Block Party. As we’re representing California, we’ll be hosting a wine tasting. At the end of the Block Party we’ll be giving away a magnum of very nice California wine to one lucky attendee.

#4: Web Design for ROI Book Signing
South By Bookstore inside the Trade Show hall

• Monday, March 16, 3:45 – 4:15pm

Sandra and I will be signing books again this year. Which is an honor, but still cracks us up.

#5: Core Conversation - Kick Ass or Suck: Escaping Internet Mediocrity
Room 19B

• Monday, March 16, 5 – 6 pm

I’m leading a core conversation on this topic that is so near and dear to my heart. Here’s the description:

Most organizations get in their own way when it comes to online, obsessing about things that don’t matter and virtually ignoring things that do. Using examples from the brilliantly sublime to the jaw-droppingly stupid, we’ll discuss and demonstrate simple changes anyone can make to juice their online results.

Hope to See You @ SXSW!

So if you’re thinking about coming to SXSW this year, then get off the fence and do it. If you can’t make it this year, then pencil it in for next year. And if you’re already coming, please stop by and see us at one of the events listed above. We’ll be the ones smiling and soaking it all in. Hope to see you there.