I just got confirmation that the University I work for is in fact going to send me to South by Southwest this year. It’ll be my first SXSW, and I’m stoked!
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be planning the trip. I’d love some advice from you South By veterans. When should I arrive and leave? Which hotel should I stay at (and where are you staying?)? Anything else I should know?
In general, any SXSW advice will be very helpful. See you all in March!
001 // Dominic Damian // 10.06.2005 // 3:06 PM
I would try to stay at the Hilton in Austin if possible. It’s just off the main drag and is a nice hotel, they even have free wi-fi I think (as does a lot of Austin). Other than that, just bring a strong liver.
002 // Jeff Croft // 10.06.2005 // 3:10 PM
Other than that, just bring a strong liver.
My liver is plenty strong, I assure you. :)
Thanks for the tip…
003 // Ryan Irelan // 10.06.2005 // 3:14 PM
I would stay at either the Hilton or the Hampton Inn. Both are packed full of SXSW attendees. The Hampton Inn fills up quickly because it is the best buy.
Last year, I stayed at the Crowne Plaza and it was nice, close to the convention center, but there were very few attendees staying there.
Arrive on Friday and leave on Wednesday. That way you miss nothing and don’t wish that you could stay for this or that.
004 // Rob Weychert // 10.06.2005 // 3:18 PM
Forget the Hilton; the Hampton Inn is way better and way cheaper. Their continental breakfast is basically a massive all-you-can eat buffet. It rules.
005 // Nathan Smith // 10.06.2005 // 4:33 PM
Cool! I’ve never been myself, but I think a few co-workers and I might make it over there this year. If we do, I’ll try to let you know ahead of time, so maybe we can kick it, or chill, or both. :)
006 // Jeff Croft // 10.06.2005 // 4:35 PM
Nathan: Definitely. When it gets closer to time I’ll probably try to make some plans to meet up with people. :)
007 // Justin P // 10.06.2005 // 5:52 PM
If you’re interested in staying at eco-friendly hotels (aka green hotels), Habitat Suites is awesome. I stayed there this summer when scoping out Austin (moving there at the end of this month) and it was a really nice place to stay. It’s in north Austin though, so it’s a little out of the way from downtown.
008 // Jeff Croft // 10.06.2005 // 10:23 PM
Well, I am offcially all registered for SXSW and booked at the Downtown Hampton. I got a number of positive comments from it (including five or so that came to me in e-mail rather than in public), and the price was right.
Frankly, I don’t intended to spend a helluva lot of time in my hotel room, anyway. :)
009 // Dustin Fluke // 10.07.2005 // 8:48 AM
I’m jealous. I wanted to make it to a big event, but probably in a couple of years.
010 // Brian Ford // 10.07.2005 // 9:02 AM
I’d love to go but I would need to Justify it to my boss…
I do some 3D work but don’t know if they have any panels that would address this.
My main job description is Graphic Design, but that’s ‘everyone’ in my departments description, so it would need to be something more specialized than just “graphic design.”
011 // Jeff Croft // 10.07.2005 // 9:39 AM
Brian-
I don’t think there are any 3D-specific panels. It’s pretty web-orietied, from what I can see.
If you really want to go but can’t justify it to the boss, you could consider going on your own — SXSW is way cheap compared to most conferences ($225 for registration right now — more if you wait). You could make a vacation of it. :)
012 // Brent O'Connor // 10.07.2005 // 10:32 PM
The Hilton pretty much sucks major *ss. And Wi-Fi was not free and they didn’t offer a free continental breakfast either. If I decide to go again I won’t be staying at the Hilton!
013 // Dustin Diaz // 10.10.2005 // 11:51 AM
Just found out i’m getting funded as well (even after paying for it anyway).
You and me both man. I have no idea what to do once I show up. See you there Jeff.
014 // Derek Featherstone // 10.10.2005 // 12:29 PM
Nice. Looking forward to meeting you there, Jeff. It will be a blast…
015 // Keith // 10.10.2005 // 1:53 PM
Get there Friday. Stay through the music part. It’s totally worth it.
016 // Jeff Croft // 10.10.2005 // 1:55 PM
Keith-
I’d love to stay through music, but I don’t think my company would want to pay for me to stay and watch bands. I think I’ll be leaving Wed. afternoon. :)
017 // Joey // 10.16.2005 // 9:42 PM
Let’s play some poker while you are here. We have a weekly game with some “Internet celebs” in my neighborhood. I want your money.
Make sure you can stay for the music portion of the week.
A trip out to the Salt Lick with a large crew of web geeks needs to happen.
A swim at Barton Springs after dark refuels the soul.
Take a photo with Leslie and have King play “Tiger on the Loose” for you on 6th Street. “The Best Wurst” brat cart is also worth a visit.
If they oversell the conference like last year, you might want to pick your “must see” panels and show up to the earlier panel in the same room just to get a seat.
018 // Joshua Works // 11.14.2005 // 2:18 PM
Funny: my university has agreed to send me there too! Sounds like a K-State Rendezvous in Austin is in order, perhaps. There may be others coming along, but with their department approval still in limbo, I won’t jinx it with public commentary. BTW, I haven’t made any travel arrangements just yet, but I’m kinda crushing on the Hilton right now.
019 // Jeff Croft // 11.14.2005 // 2:30 PM
Sweet, Josh! We will definitely have to meet up at some point…
020 // video // 12.01.2005 // 4:25 PM
I read this topic. I think may be more optimistic opinion…
021 // Faruk Ate? // 12.20.2005 // 6:08 PM
Looks like I’ll be meeting you there then, Jeff! :-)
There are going to be so many good times had there at the Hampton! :-)