This is my… 13th SXSW (I think). Hazy to recall.
Having had so many experiences with the conference, the question of WHO excels there, why, and how to help others make the most of one of the world’s most culturally and economically important events, struck me as a worthwhile question.
I like to refer to the people who come to SXSW as Entrepreneurial Artists
Those who make the most of it have both skillsets. Sure, there are investors, founders, engineers, and run of the mill musicians, filmmakers, and storytellers; but it’s the person fast on their feet, mobile, dynamic, and, well, entrepreneurial, who take best advantage of the tens of thousands of people to connect with and impact in just a few short days. And to have that impact, those who are creative, inspired, a little crazy, a just talented enough, the Artistic nature, who leave a mark.
Why is SXSW such a pivotal experience for such professionals?
Consider the convergence of culture and technology. Like nowhere else in the world, SXSW reflects what it really means to succeed in today’s economy… the narrative with the innovation / the marketing and the technology / the story and the appeal. We saw at Funded House. We see it, constantly, in MediaTech Ventures.
Whether one endeavors to start a company or shine in the spotlight as an artist, success today requires a measure of sophistication in both the tools and the market. That’s what Interactive + Music + Film at SXSW represents; the creative class – the entrepreneurial artists.
