words and pictures 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.

This year we lined up something special for SXSW and you helped it reach epic status. The TechSet Blogger Lounge sponsored by Windows Mobile was the hub for collaboration, networking, and celebration each and everyday during the conference.

The agenda was rich with activities, entertainment, tweetups, and resources, but you made it unforgettable, fun, and also productive.

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

Miiko Mentz and Alexandra Mokh

Chris Heuer, Jen Myronuk, Stephanie Agresta

Sean McCullough, CEO and Founder of Ping.fm

Kristen Nicole and…

Tara Hunt

Loic Le Meur

Stephanie Agresta

Adam Jackson

Paige Craige

@gapingvoid’s Blue Monster on Windows Mobile

Paul Chaney

Chris Brogan and Corvida

Louis Gray

Ben Metcalfe throwing up the Hashtag sign

Scott Brave, CTO of Baynote

Wesley Faulkner of AMD

Loren Feldman

Meghan Asha

Peter Kim and Jeremiah Owyang

Ilana Arazie

Shannon Paul

Guy Kawasaki

David Karp of Tumblr

Lee Odden

Tony Hsieh of Zappos

Kevin Marks

Sarah Austin

Ziv Gillat of Eye-Fi

Zach Luye and Shira Lazar

Shira Lazar and Julia Allison

Andrew Baron of RocketBoom

Sanford Barr

Laura Fitton @pistachio wins the LOLCat

Sylvie Barak throws up the Hashtag sign

Ben Huh and Brian Solis

Krista Neher

Kurt Daradics

Sarah Townsend @theoneinpink

Paula Nelson performs

Paula Nelson

Jeffrey Kalmikoff of Threadless

Your hosts, TechSet + Microsoft Windows Mobile

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

Connect with me on:
Twitter, FriendFeed, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Plaxo, Plurk, Identi.ca, BackType, or Facebook

by Brian Solis

Today, Stephanie Agresta and I are officially announcing some two-must attend TechSet events during SXSWi.

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.

This year we have something very special lined up for the 2009 SXSWi, and your presence is formally requested. Join us at The TechSet Blogger Lounge sponsored by Windows Mobile to collaborate and celebrate everyday during the conference.

We’re assembling an agenda rich with activities, entertainment, and resources to make this year unforgettable, fun, and also productive. Daily Tweet-Ups, contests and a video wall available for your blogging interests. Drinks, snacks, and all you can eat broadband also provided.

The Austin Suite is a large room located on the 3rd Floor of the Convention Center. Please note that a SXSW conference pass is required to enter the Blogger Lounge.

*** Plus, 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

Connect with me on:
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By Richard Edwards

“When the people lead – the leaders, they will have to follow…”

- Ben Harper

With SXSW ’08 a distant, but much beloved memory, it’s time to start focusing our attention on next year’s event.

It’d be nice if that meant weekend club hopping in hopes of discovering the next local act to break at SXSW ’09, but alas, aside from radio station promotions, or possibly knowing the booking agent’s uncle through a friend of your brother’s girlfriend, we don’t get to pick the music. We DO, however, get a say, albeit a small (30%) one, in which of the hundreds of expert panel submissions will nab one of the coveted presentation slots at the SXSW Interactive Festival!

SO, instead of complaining about the lack of compelling, thought-provoking speakers, get your ass online and VOTE! The deadline is August 29.

We kindly ask that in addition to voting for other stellar panels, you also consider voting for the sessions that include our very own bub.blicio.us and PR 2.0 publisher, Brian Solis.

Against All Odds – A Media Literate World

Additional Presenters: Howard Greenstein, Chris Heuer, Alex de Carvalho

The new “Media Literacy” means understanding the facts, context and perspective of content. When you share, modify, or comment, this shows who you are online and in society. The public record of your search and attention stream will define how you’re perceived. How do we increase media literacy?

A Discussion on the Pervasiveness of Streams

Additional Presenters: Jackie Peters, Greg Narain

The emergence of streams in our digital lives is, in many ways, aligning our thinking in a way that we are only subtly appreciating. Streams represent the end of top-down broadcast and the beginning of a confluence of information and communication exchange patterns that function multi dimensionally.

Love Your Customers, They Love You Back

Additional Presenters: Becky Carroll and special VIPs

Relationships are the new currency in social media. They need cultivation and value from both sides in order to grow into something of value and longevity. Explore engagement as the only way to earn customer respect, business, loyalty, and referrals as we do what matters to earn their friendship.

PR for Peanuts

Additional Presenters: Laura Beck, Porter Novelli and other PR all stars

More and more startups are bootstrapping their ventures, and managing the PR/marketing function themselves. Many of these companies eventually bring a PR firm, and/or a VP of Marketing onboard shortly after the closing of their A round, but nowadays it takes longer and longer for that funding to happen – if at all. Come hear 5 PR pros share their advice for startups – how to bootstrap your marketing efforts and build a solid foundation for later – whether you plan to hire an agency or not.

Don’t forget to add comments!

For other superstar panels, please visit Social Media Club.