words and pictures by Brian Solis
When we peer into the looking glass into what truly made SXSW Interactive a unique and successful culmination of culture and real life networking, we see something very different and exceptional.
The real story is the human network and the Social Economy that fosters the conversations that serve as its currency – on and offline.
SXSW is about the emotional and psychological connection between people and our investment in the personal traits that others find irresistible.
Relationships….RELATIONSHIPS…count for everything here, and they’re measured by the mutually beneficial rewards that all parties experience over time. We invest in each other and harvest the fruits of our collaboration and interconnection.
Nothing was more evident of this than the Flashmob party that stormed the Driskill, forever becoming a part of the SXSW legacy.
After the Diggnation party, Erica O’Grady, Jeremiah Owyang, Charlene Li, Chad Catacchio, Francisco Dao, and I opted for the the elegant and stylish decor that adorned the Driskill lobby bar to regroup and plan our next adventure. What we had yet to realize, was that the evening at the Driskill would unfold into our next adventure.
Overcome with contentment and the prompt attention for service, we decided to Tweet our location while also personally texting some of our close friends to join us. Almost immediately, tweets were flying, “headed to the Driskill.” As each person arrived, they too would tweet, “At the Driskill, it’s incredible.” They cycle continued for the duration of the evening.
Soon, hundreds of people crowded the spacious lounge, the staff called for reinforcements, and we celebrated friendship and The Human Network together, creating one of the most memorable nights in SXSW history.
I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story…
Jolie O’Dell
Francine Hardaway
Justin Levy
Heather Meeker
Jessica Berlin
Laura Fitton aka Pistachio
Brian Solis
Shira Lazar
Brett Petersel and Rebecca Corliss
Randi Zuckerberg and Michelle Deforest
Leora Israel
Jessica Alter and Frank Gruber
Halcyon
Melody McCloskey
Andrew Mager
@NikoleZ
Megan McCarthy
Pete Cashmore
Jeff Dowd (The Dude) and Brian Solis
Cal Henderson
Tessa and Gregarious
Steve Garfield
Alexia Tsotsis and Kevin Rose
Lala, Lara Doucette and Brian Solis
Vanessa Camones
Chris Heuer and Leora Israel
Gary Vaynerchuk and Jen Consalvo
Michael Gruen Ilana Arazie
More on Flickr.
Please read:
The Human Network: The Social Economy is Influenced by How We Communicate Online & Offline (My philosophical analysis of what makes SXSW so special)
Which parties did you hit or miss?
Check em off at Diddit: SXSW Interactive Festival 2009 Party List
Pictures:
SXSW – The Calm Before the Storm
SXSW Day One
TechSet + Windows Mobile Rat Pack 2.0 Party
SXSW Day Two
Diggnation Party at Stubbs
We Flashmob the Driskill
AllHat @Allens Boots
Brian Solis Book Signing @SXSW
Are PR Agencies a Dying Breed: Brian Solis joins the panel
Kirtsy, AllTop Party @Allens Boots
Pool 2.0 – SocialMediaClub
SXSW Day Four
Paul Nelson Performs in the TechSet + Windows Mobile Blogger Lounge
Dell Adamo Premiers at SXSW
Power Geek Girl Tweetup in the TechSet + Windows Mobile Blogger Lounge
Rackspace + Scoble Party
Blurb + Mashable Party
SXSW Day Five
WorldSings.com
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