Comments on: How to Fix SXSW http://guidewiregroup.com/2010/03/how-to-fix-sxsw/ Fostering a Path to Innovation Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:30:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Conrad Hametner http://guidewiregroup.com/2010/03/how-to-fix-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-1180 Conrad Hametner Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:03:43 +0000 http://guidewiregroup.com/2010/03/how-to-fix-sxsw/#comment-1180 I agree, the selection process needs more vetting. It is a free for all based on the speakers ability to get votes. This leads to sessions duplicating content and gives a disproportionate advantage to speakers with large customer bases and/or lots of social media followers. Making it easier to rate the speakers and the sessions online and using a mobile application could help improve the content. The speakers ratings should be weighted into the calculation for selection the next year and should be displayed next to their bio on the SXSW site. As for the food, I think an Austin Style food court would add to the uniqueness of the event. Section off a portion of the surface parking lot across the street at Caesar Chavez and Red River, put up a tent with a sponsored live video feed from the main sessions and invite the food trailer vendors from SOCO and other places around town to sell their food. Non-traditional and a little weird, just like Austin. I agree, the selection process needs more vetting. It is a free for all based on the speakers ability to get votes. This leads to sessions duplicating content and gives a disproportionate advantage to speakers with large customer bases and/or lots of social media followers.

Making it easier to rate the speakers and the sessions online and using a mobile application could help improve the content. The speakers ratings should be weighted into the calculation for selection the next year and should be displayed next to their bio on the SXSW site.

As for the food, I think an Austin Style food court would add to the uniqueness of the event. Section off a portion of the surface parking lot across the street at Caesar Chavez and Red River, put up a tent with a sponsored live video feed from the main sessions and invite the food trailer vendors from SOCO and other places around town to sell their food. Non-traditional and a little weird, just like Austin.

]]> By: Quick wind-up of SXSW « Jules Pieri http://guidewiregroup.com/2010/03/how-to-fix-sxsw/comment-page-1/#comment-1173 Quick wind-up of SXSW « Jules Pieri Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:21:42 +0000 http://guidewiregroup.com/2010/03/how-to-fix-sxsw/#comment-1173 [...] have unique insights on how to navigate or embrace this behemoth of an event.  But I liked this balanced write-up by Carla Thompson of Guidewire Group.  I’m flattered she even quoted me in this [...] [...] have unique insights on how to navigate or embrace this behemoth of an event.  But I liked this balanced write-up by Carla Thompson of Guidewire Group.  I’m flattered she even quoted me in this [...]

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