Maybe it’s the stack of new business cards in my briefcase or the new list of followers on Twitter.  Maybe it’s the complimentary upgrade, thanks US Airways, or the fact I feel I must have accomplished something due to the sheer state of exhaustion I am in.  I know it’s not because of the soggy sandwich I just consumed, work on that one US Airways, or because I’m already missing Texas.   When I start to break it down, I think it’s from spending 6 days surrounded by people who are equally inspired and motivated to push the envelope as I am.   A special group of people who are more interested in ideas, collaboration and networking rather than shameless plugs.  A group of people who’s “celebrities” are “famous” for their thoughts and ability to create something new and useful opposed to being famous for who they are dating, their latest heavily processed album or the clothes they wear.  Maybe, that is why I feel compelled to push harder than ever and continue to follow my dreams creating my own way.  Maybe that is why even though I can barely keep my eyes open, I feel the need to express my thoughts and feelings as I stare out the window of my plane and see the amazing scenery.

This past week at SXSWi was an amazing experience, and one I hope to relive next year.  It all started a few months back when I sat down for lunch with Hugh Forrest to discuss my company’s interest in helping the Interactive team plan and promote next year’s festival.  We had several e-mail exchanges over the next few weeks and landed upon the decision we would capture videos of our team interviewing attendees and speakers throughout this year’s festival obtaining insights on their experience, likes and dislikes.  This would give the SXSWi team some rich in-depth feedback to use as a foundation for 2010.  What wasn’t discussed was the amazing experience I would have while I was there.  

We recorded interviews with well over 100 people from first time attendees to famous Twitterati like Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan), who by the way is a great human being and put up with our persistence very well.  We spoke with Penelope Trunk (@penelopetrunk) and Ryan Paugh (@paughginney) who started the Brazen Careerist community, and Shama Hyder (@shama) who has a popular video blog and works in online marketing in Dallas.  We were fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time with some of the Brazen group particularly: Ryan, Elysa (@elysa), David (@davidgiesberg), Sydney (@sydneyowen),  Nisha (@nishachittal) and Marina (@marinacolina).  They are an absolutely great group of people who are doing wonderful things for Gen Y/Millenial community.  I am truly excited to see the extraordinary accomplishments they each achieve over this next year.

Though each interview was different and had it’s own twist, one thing remained consistent.  Every respondent had a passion for connecting with others.  Whether they loved or hated the panels or were frustrated with connectivity problems, everyone valued the ability to meet the people who they communicate with on a daily basis and make the Internet “come to life.”

Now, I am tasked with sorting through the massive amounts of information and feedback we obtained this past week and providing the SXSWi team the valuable feedback they are looking for.  While I am on the topic, I must give credit to our videographer who did an amazing job, John Snowden (@johnfilm), if you are ever in need of someone who is talented and extremely hard-working and dependable for your video needs, call John!  I look forward to working with John on future projects and as we wrap this one up.

Along with that, I have several new things on the pharma side of our business that we are working on and I have presentations with the AMA Beyond Borders Summit in April and the UPA Big (D)esign Conference in May with Elysa Rice.  My experience at SXSWi will definitely provide some great information and I look forward to sharing with everyone as we process the videos.

Another challenge will be tactfully sharing and applying my experiences and knowledge gained from this past week to my own company’s culture as well as our clients, without scaring them off or creating an uproar.  After all, some of the people who follow me have already had to deal with an overload of tweets about SXSW that may not be relevant to them at all.  Thanks for hanging in there!

At the end of some of the interviews I would ask people to tell me what they liked most about their experience at SXSW and what SXSW “is” to them.  Here is what I would say:

South by is place where age, race, religion and sex can be disregarded because what people care about most is the sharing of ideas and opinions.  Whether you are a well-known social media figure or a first times attendee, you have a voice and are free to express it.  It is a place where people can meet and hangout with the people they communicate with everyday around the world making the Internet “come to life.”  Simply put, it is a place where business partnerships are made and new friendships are formed.  

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