In just a few short weeks, 12 of our team members will excitedly board a plane to head off to exhibit at the South by Southwest Trade Show for our first time. It’s a big step for us, since SXSW is arguably the biggest and best tech conference there is.
We’re attending a huge show because we have some huge plans for our company. So as we’re gearing up, we thought we would share our excitement with you readers! Over the next month or so, expect to hear a lot about our time at SXSW.
Today, however, we’re sharing why other people have chosen to go to SXSW. We know we’re not the only company for whom it was a big decision to make. It’s a big investment of both time and money, so it’s not always an easy decision. But we’re confident that it’s the right one for us.
We’re sharing a few stories today with the hope that it will help another company make the decision to attend. It may be too late to sign up to go this year, but there’s always the future! So here are nine reasons to attend South by Southwest, coming from nine people who have experienced the conference firsthand and keep going back for more:
1. You get to meet people you talk to all year… (Tweet this reason!)
“We love SXSW because it allows us meet face to face with clients and users. We have also landed key partnerships at SXSW. Compared to other shows we exhibit at, it’s the most dynamic and eclectic show. We meet and educate all types of people.” – Greg Monterrosa, co-founder of MyLLC.com
2. Plus tons of new people. (Tweet this reason!)
“I went down for the first time ever last year to do my share of guerilla marketing and found the parties in the evenings to be the most incredible networking opportunities that have been presented to me. I left with a stack of business cards that almost wouldn’t fit in my carry on.” – Lori Cheek, Founder/CEO of Cheek’d
3. Those people can take your business further… (Tweet this reason!)
“I can meet press, VCs, other mobile companies, and get a sense of what is happening in the digital industries. Mobile Monday is going to be huge for companies in my space – we can meet, talk, exchange ideas, and who knows…maybe strike up a few partnerships. The SXSW ecosystem is a great place to get a lot accomplished in a few days, it’s the epicenter of all things interactive.” – Elaina Farnsworth, CEO of Mobile Comply
4. And inspire you. (Tweet this reason!)
“SXSW expands my horizons and sparks my imagination. It has nothing to do with ‘branding’, and everything to do with having new conversations.” – Steven Lowe, Founder/CEO of Innovator LLC
5. Even just observing the happenings is beneficial… (Tweet this reason!)
“I attended the entire event last year for the first time as a spectator and saw the huge possibilities for growth for my company if I attended this year with a strategy and action plan.” – Denise Antoon, Founder of Antoon Group
6. Because you can take in the industry landscape (Tweet this reason!)
“It provides access to key investors and is a great opportunity to see what other emerging technologies are entering the space.” – Christine Archer, Senior Account Executive at LEWIS PR
7. Your tech launch will have a great audience… (Tweet this reason!)
“We [Mr. Arlo] wanted to launch at SXSW because of the target audience, which ranges in age and is technologically intrigued…and because of the potential for many technology investors to see the product at once!” – Samantha Lueder, Ant Hill Communications
8. Especially if it also incorporates music. (Tweet this reason!)
“Since our app is focused on music, we knew there would be an interested audience at SxSW.” – Jason Keck, Founder/CEO of Stereotypes
9. So you just need to go. (Tweet this reason!)
“It is one of the only conferences to offer such a high level of collision between influencers in technology, art, music and film. And, as everyone knows; if you want to be relevant in the tech industry, you need to attend SXSW.” – Jennifer Moss, Chief Branding Officer of The Smile Epidemic
If you attend SXSW, what keeps you going back year after year? If you don’t, what is keeping you from taking the plunge? Let us know in the comments!
By Brittany Berger
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Tags: professional networking, sxsw, Technology, Trade Shows
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