How SXSW Is Different Than Your “Usual” Conference

First of all many of you are wondering what is SXSW and why do I keep talking about it. It stands for South by Southwest. Started in 1987 as an independent music festival that now has 3 stages that include film, music and interactive. I just came for the interactive. I am not sophisticated enough to enjoy indie film or music.

Is it a tech geek thing? Kinda sorta. It has a lot of different aspects and I came as someone who is just curious. You can check out the schedule of sessions here http://sxsw2009.sched.org/

From my layman's perspective, and in an attempt to be funny and way oversimplify this week, here are some observations in the difference between SXSW and a regular "Trade Show"

1. More tattoos…less comb overs.
   
2. More jeans…less khakis.
   
3. More Macs…less PCs.
   
4. More iPhones…less Blackberrys.
   
5. More Battlestar Galactica…less College hoops.
   
6. More guys who code…less guys who sell.
   
7. More brains…less schmaltzy sales pitches.
   
8. More piercings…less polo shirts.
   
9. More green tea…less Starbucks.
   

More later…

Chris Faulkner