SXSW Hacks

The SXSW conference in Austin, Texas is overwhelming. The sheer number of keynotes, sessions, branding pop-ups (aka “activations”), movie premiers, concerts and satellite activities make it impossible to catch it all. With over 1,500 events just on the schedule, it took me a couple of hours just to browse through what was available before I could even try to plan how to spend the limited time I had each day. Many attendees spoke of an intense FOMO as there was no way to hit everything there was to see in any comprehensive way.

That said, here are a few tips I picked up over the years (2024 was my 4th South By) that I hope help you get the most out of this annual smorgasbord of ideas and culture.

1. Watch your inbox and browse the schedule and program as soon as it’s available. I made the mistake of waiting until the flight down to Austin to begin to browse the program and spent most of the flight just trying to narrow things down to a subset of things that I wanted to see. Use the “favorite” star to build your schedule because you’re going to want to have that subset readily available when plans shift (as they always do).
2. Download the mobile app and add it to your first screen. You’re going to be using it A LOT.
3. Each day you get four Express Passes that can be used to shortcut your way to the front of the line at busy sessions or talks. These passes can be applied to reserve your space at events the following day at 9am the day before. For example, Monday’s events open up at 9am Sunday morning. The most popular events go almost immediately, Taylor Swift ticketmaster style, so you’ll want to be ready to swoop in on events that you think will go fast to claim a spot quickly. Sessions are 10-11, 11:30-12:30, 2-3 and 4-5 so plan which event you want to go to in each of these slots ahead of time. Make use of the “favorites” mentioned earlier so you can quickly browse your 2nd and 3rd choices for a slot should your first choice fill up.
4. Be sure to drop by the temporary bookstore set up in the Austin Convention Center where you can pick up hard to find books related to sessions at the conference, some even autographed by the author.
5. Sold out RSVPs sometimes open up later. If there is a workshop you want to go to that requires an RSVP and is full, check back later in the day as these sometimes open up as people cancel.
6. There is way more than just what is on the schedule. Be sure to ask about the Unofficial SXSW Master Slide Event List and other event listings such as Blprnt, a local Austin events app, and Eventbrite for last minute events that are not on the official schedule.
7. Do NOT limit yourself to just the sessions. Be sure to check out a film, some stand-up comedy, and a concert. There is stuff happening all over Austin and SXSW is your chance to get outside your comfort zone and discover something new. Almost everything is with walking distance or a short scooter ride so the time invested to check something out is minimal.
8. If you want to get away from the South By scene, walk all the way up Congress and tucked behind the Texas state capitol you’ll find Texas Chili Parlor where you can pull up a seat at the bar and have a bowl of venison chili and a bottle of Shiner to set you straight.
9. My favorite place to grab a breakfast migas taco is at Veracruz in The Line hotel. While I’m at it, The Line is also a chill hotel and has a nice cafe as well.
10. If you haven’t done so, be sure to see the bats emerge from under the Congress Ave. Bridge at sunset.
11. If you want to eat brisket, skip breakfast and have an early lunch after the 10-11 session. I went two days without BBQ because the lines to Iron Works or Coopers in Downtown Austin were out the door and down the street. Go around 11:15 and you’ll have the place to yourself.