by Brian Solis

SXSW Interactive is powered by the one thing that binds us together, you.  It is a congregation of wisdom, artistry, and poetry and it is the foundation for why we each make this annual migration to Austin, Texas.

The TechSet Joins the Rat Pack, for One Night Only

The TechSet and Windows Mobile invite you to a very special, free event at the classic Belmont Lounge on Friday, March 13, 2008 from 8 to 10 p.m.

Come enjoy the unique and stylish period-specific décor that conjures scenes from Las Vegas and Palm Springs during the Sinatra era. You’ll be surrounded by incredible and pioneering entrepreneurs and influencers as we create our own Rat Pack rich with relationships that will propel us long after the curtain closes on SXSWi 09.

Style. Swagger. Distinction.

Do it your way, this is your time to shine baby!

RSVP HERE

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by Brian Solis

Chris Shipley kicked things off at DEMO09 with a humbling, yet inspiring introduction that embraced the state of the economy, “This show is smaller with 39 companies instead of the usual 70-plus we typically showcase. The economy has had its effects.”

However, she noted that things always have a way of resetting so that they can flourish and prosper in a more meaningful way.

Ctrl-Alt-Del

This DEMO is much more intimate and productive. I’ve been able to meet every company, see demos and sit down and host deep, wonderful conversations with incredible people, which just isn’t typically possible at most events. I’m enjoying this experience tremendously.

Now, with that…this is the first DEMO that witnessed the changing of the guard for the first time in 13 years. Chris Shipley introduced Matt Marshall of VentureBeat to the DEMO audience and he was warmly welcomed. We’ll miss Chris indeed. Under Matt’s reign, we anticipate greatness.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Chris Shipley passes the torch to Matt Marshall

Rafe Needleman, CNET

Home-Account

Don Dodge

CC:Betty

Citrix Online

Walt Mossberg

Loyal2Me

Skout

Matt Marshall, Eric Tilenius, Bryce Roberts, David Hornick, Christine Herron

Christine Herron

David Hornick

Matt Marshall

Touch Book

Avaak Vue

Mirasol

DEMO Jam Party

Shuly Ghalili and Deb Schultz

Ravit Lichtenberg and Eliane Fiolet

Palm Desert

For more pictures from DEMO, please my albums on Flickr:

Opening Reception

Day One Morning

Day One Afternoon

DEMO Jam

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by Brian Solis

I’m in Palm Desert attending DEMO09 and much to the disbelief of tech economists, the vibe and outlook is positive here. The companies are strong, the entrepreneurs are motivated, investors are evaluating options, and media, analysts, and bloggers are enjoying the more intimate atmosphere and actively meeting and covering presenting companies.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Steve Larsen

Sobees

Matt Marshall and Don Dodge

David Needle

Graeme Thickins

Microsoft BizSpark

Eliane Fiolet Don Clark

Sarah Perez

Hashtag

Lisa Peterson

David Mason and Kevin Mobley

For more pictures from DEMO, please my albums on Flickr:

Opening Reception

Day One Morning

Day One Afternoon

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by Brian Solis

Explore the future of the Web with fellow developers and designers at MIX09, March 18 – 20, 2009 at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

There are two ways to go:

One, click here to save $300 if you register by 2/27.

The second, you could win a COMPLIMENTARY pass by sending a tweet to @briansolis right now that explains in 140 characters what you hope to accomplish or learn at #Mix09 – make sure to include the hashtag. Update: All passes have been awarded. If you are a notified winner, you must register for the event by Monday.

Now in its fourth year, MIX is a unique technology conference that connects Web professionals with industry leaders to explore the future of the Web together. If you’re a designer or developer who builds on the Web, MIX09 is the place to learn about products and technologies that help you plan for the future while addressing today’s economic challenges.

* Bill Buxton and Scott Guthrie are keynoting. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from these industry luminaries on their vision for the standards-based web, next generation media, rich internet applications and the collaboration between designers and developers.

* Get real answers from the experts. MIX speakers come with top consumer website and top web agency credentials. They represent a variety of disciplines including web design, web development, marketing and business management.

* Tap into the trends and innovations of the next web. Not only will you learn about the future of technologies like Silverlight™, Internet Explorer®, Expression®, ASP.NET, Windows® 7, and Windows® Azure, you’ll also get a deep dive on topics like design, user experience, web standards, data visualization, workflow, product integration and cross-platform interoperability.

* Network with others from the web community. You’ll network with attendees from recognized companies like frog design, Yahoo!, MySpace, Baidu, ESPN.com, Adobe, Digg, Facebook, schematic, Netflix, Fidelity, NASA, Amazon.com, and many, many more. MIX is a perfect opportunity to share best practices with the people that understand your business challenges first hand.

* Be inspired. Broaden your horizons beyond the day-to-day operational concerns and consider the larger questions that drive your business: technology, architecture, workflow and scale.

For those of you going to #SXSW, make sure to RSVP for the Microsoft Windows Mobile and @Techset party and Blog Lounge.

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by Brian Solis, Disclosure: I am collaborating with Anheuser-Busch on the creation and release of AB-Extras.com

There are several articles showcasing the companies who are embracing social media for Sunday’s Big Game and I wanted to introduce you to one more..

Today Anheuser-Busch announced AB-extras.com – a social media destination for Bud fans 21 years of age and older to reveal the human element and stories behind the ads that will premier during Super Bowl ’09.

AB-Extras.com packages exclusive content using a combination of social tools and networks such as Social Media Releases, YouTube, Blip.TV, flickr, all hosted on a WordPress blog platform.

More at PR 2.0

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by Brian Solis

Adam Duritz of The Counting Crows

During CES, Intel & PC.com hosted a red carpet, celebrity-attended event at the popular LAX night club in Las Vegas to help us get “computer smart.” And, no true CES party would be complete without a performance from a major artist or group. When I heard that the event would be headlined by the Counting Crows, I was overwhelmingly surprised and ecstatic.

I’m a fan of the Crows and I was planning on seeing them over the Summer in support of their current CD Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings. However, between the travel and logistics in support of TechSet New York and TechSet Las Vegas, I unfortunately missed the concert. Intel just made my year; so much so, I’m shopping for an UMPC again

The concert was intimate, in comparison to the other major CES-related concerts taking place during the week. It was nice to be able to connect with everyone throughout the night.

As if the Counting Crows wasn’t enough to complete the evening, Intel and PC.com also recruited the one and only Brooke Burke to emcee the show. Brooke attended with her husband, David Charvet. Both were incredibly friendly and actually spent time talking with everyone. My new friend, LeVar Burton, was also in attendance and I have to say, he’s an incredible human being.

Brooke Burke

David Charvet

Levar Burton and Cathy Brooks

Levar Burton and Brooke Burke

Janna Robinson

Frank Gruber, Sarah Austin, and I were able to make our way up front, which made for some spectacular photos.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Adam Duritz is one of the most passionate and evocative singer/songwriters in the business today

Dan Vickrey

David (Immy) Immergluck

Charles Gillingham

Jim Bogios

David Bryson

LAX

LeVar Burton and Brian Solis

Taryn Southern

Brooke Burke and Brian Solis

You can follow the Counting Crows, Brooke Burke and LeVar Burton on Twitter.

For more pictures, please visit my album on Flickr.

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by Brian Solis

Intel, along with Sarah Lacy, Frank Gruber, Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos.com), yours truly, and the Intel Insiders, kicked off 2009 with a bang! Hosted at the former 40/40 Club at the Palazzo in Las Vegas, the party merged industry veterans with a new generation of bloggers, influencers, trend setters and thought leaders. Together we celebrated innovation in the consumer electronics, new media and digital industries. To say that it was one of the highlights of CES would be a complete under statement. Hundreds of amazing people shared experiences and forged and also renewed relationships throughout an evening that progressed that thankfully seemed to last all night long.

Thank you Intel, Sarah, Frank, Tony and the Intel Insiders!

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…

Julia Allison and Sarah Lacy

iJustine

Jeremy Tanner and Cathy Brooks

Sarah Perez of ReadWriteWeb and Illija Ognenovski if worldsings.com

Jason Goldman, Jeremy Tanner, Andrew Hyde

Frank Gruber & Jessica Berlin (Justin Levy & iJustine background)

Joe Said and Efren Toscano

Justin Levy, Jennifer Klein, Chris Brogan, Karin Klein

Ken Kaplan of Intel and Joshua Pollack

Ilija Ognenovski & Ashley Biever

Frank Gruber and Tony Hsieh

Ted Murphy of Izea

Jeff Pulver

Kenneth Hong of LG

MC Hammer and Sarah Lacy

For more pictures, please visit my album on Flickr.

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by Brian Solis

LeVar Burton

Steve Broback of the Parnassus Group hosts an incredible party. Now in its third year, the exclusive ItWontStayinVegas blogger party is a must-attend event – if you can get your name on the list.

Hosted at the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, the party boasts a casual and fun environment for connecting with influential and inspiring bloggers form all over the world – while also learning about the history of atomic testing in the United States.

I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…see you next year!

Sarah Austin, Jennifer Levine, Brooke Brodack

Alexandra Mokh

Robert Scoble

Tom Foremski

Melissa Pierce and Steve Garfield

Drew Olanoff

Phil Wolff of Skype Journal

Scott Carroll of AMD

Krista Neher

Patrick Moorhead of AMD

Sonos

Rohit Barghava

For more pictures, please visit my album on Flickr.

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