SXSW Interactive leaves attendees enlightened, inspired, and with a smiles on their faces. Some shared what they’ll take away from their experience over the past few days.
- “There seems to be a lot of energy toward social and cultural innovation. Everyone wants to work to interact with one another and bridge the gaps in the fields.”
– Racheal San, Toronto - “My industry is always a step behind. I want to help take it to the right level by bringing back what I’ve learned these past few days.
– Jessica Hyatt, San Antonio - “It was my first year at SXSW. I had heard about it, but I was really amazed by how diverse the crowed was. It shows the power of the festival to bring together people from all backgrounds to enhance the tech world.
– Sara Kipling, Seattle -
@TheCeeJay_S ppl like to skip long lines! :)— PPLCONNECT (@ppl_connect) March 11, 2014
- “For me, the time is coming for businesses to not only do what is best for business, but for the world. I think alot of the companies I saw here this year are answering that call.”
– Paul Osbladeston, Wales - “One of the big things for me was you shouldn’t spend too much time at the really big stuff. There’s so much offered here. Otherwise, you don’t learn anything.”
– Jaime Trent, Charlotte - “Austin Kleon’s session resonated with me the most. The way he explains creativity is fascinating.”
– Tina Kavanagh, Frankfurt - ” Between Snowden and other discussions, I really noticed a trend around big data and crowed funding.”
– Melisa Lum, Dallas - “I learned not to hoard my ideas and to share them. It’s the only way we can grow as a community- no matter what community you’re a part of.”
– Laura Clemons, Austin - “I met so many people my first year, I had to come back. There’s really no opportunity like it for networking in this field.”
– Sara Hosley, London - “We heard so much about South By, we figured it had to be something worth experiencing. We were right. The people, the culture of the city, the speakers- all of it great.”
– Alex Sherman, Connecticut -
Proving donating to cause @SweetRelief can be fun. Bartenders even having a good time #SXSW #tipsforacause pic.twitter.com/pyE5zCG9y1 — Peter Sandberg (@CaliPete) March 10, 2014
- “I just started running an accelerator. I’ll definitely take back things I learned in the startup pitching sessions- the shark tank-style one was pretty cool.”
– Peter Prop, Connecticut - “My rectangular framed glasses aren’t rectangular enough….And Neil deGrasse Tyson knows everything.”
– Kelly Fine, The Austinist - “Wearable’s are the new social. Everyone’s talking about and using them.”
– Cheryl Forrest, Raleigh -
@TheCeeJay_S That http://t.co/AGmUJNxqP9 is awesome! Wait, did we type this with the aroundwire account? DANG IT!!!— AroundWire (@aroundwire) March 11, 2014
- “Just the energy! I always leave feeling like I can conquor the world.”
– Justin Tunt, New Haven - “I honestly just love coming to Austin. I think SXSW embodies the city’s culture you hear and read about.”
– Jack Grovinski, Chicago - “I’ll bring home some new ideas on the social and tech side of things to help my industry step into the new era.”
– Muffy Mascio, Austin. - “I attended for ten years starting 15 years ago,” she skipped 5 years. “I remember when Twitter was launched and was presenting here. I guess my lesson over those years is never underestimate the companies you see here.”
– Janet Cacchioni, Vancouver - “Entrepreneurship is solving a simple problem, and THEN thinking big.”
– Kyle Clawson, Kansas City - “Everything you put online is permanent. Choose wisely what you do with it. Also, data is always being harvested. That’s a pro and a con in the industry depending on which side of the fence you’re on.”
–Jonathan Jow, Austin