Translated from 日本語 • View original It's finally here! SXSW 2017
Hello, this is Aimi Nakajima. Thank you for ranking high in Google searches on "SXSW Blog" !
Following the recent "Just Before SXSW 2017! Information Gathering Summary", we have compiled an action section focusing on what I learned for the first time after arriving at the site.
Venue and Day 1 Moves
Understand the Position
SXSW takes place throughout downtown Austin, but it's easy to get around as it's concentrated in a straight line of about 1.2 km.
These are the three main venues that I visit many times
- Austin Convention Center
- Hilton Austin
- JW Marriott Austin
The convention center has a secretariat and is a venue where keynotes are also held. It will be the center of the activity.
The venues are roughly divided by theme, and in 2016, there were many startups such as Pitch at Hilton Austin, and design and UX at JW Marriott Austin.
Before visiting, I bookmarked the session without being aware of moving around the venue at all, so I think it will be easier to act if you know this.
Flow to get the participant pass
When you get downtown, head to the convention center first.
When you enter from the main entrance (right in front of the Downtown Tram Station), you will immediately see the PASS distribution location.
If you show the QR code registered on the web in advance, you will be given a large number of pamphlets and flyers in the participant bus and eco-bag.
We didn't line up because it was the afternoon of the first day, but it may be crowded on the morning of the first day.
On the first day, there is a lot of luggage, but the official pamphlets are not only thick books like comic magazines, but also guidebook-sized ones. After the second day, that is enough.
Getting Around Austin
Short Session Breaks
The time schedule is tight, and there are only 30 minutes from the end of the session to the start of the next session. If you just move between venues, you can afford a little, but if you use elevators and escalators to find a room, 30 minutes will not be enough.
Tips for Efficient Rotation
- The session was not what I expected
- I don't understand English too much
In that case, we recommend that you leave the venue without sticking too long.
You can go see other sessions you've bookmarked, or you can go see an exhibition that isn't tied to a time zone. It would be nice to be able to go to the exhibition booth and trade show outside during this kind of free time.
It was full, but I really want to participate! If you revisit on the way, they will let you in if there is someone who has left.
Popular sessions line up well before the start of the session, so if you arrive at the next venue before the previous session ends, you will have a much higher chance of getting in.
Try it.
Moving Between Venues
As mentioned above, the venues are concentrated in a certain area, so there is no problem at all on foot.
The official shuttle bus and sponsor companies offer fun transportation (special motorbike taxis and hire) as promotions, so if you have time, you will enjoy the ride.
However, there is constant traffic jams in downtown, so it takes longer to get in the car. When in a hurry, the walk is the fastest.
Problems with Uber and Lyft not working
In 2016, Lyft (Uber's competitor taxi app) was an SXSW sponsor and, of course, a staple in Austin. I was indebted to the transportation to and from the airport and to the time when the train was not moving.
However, as a result of the Austin referendum in May 2016, it became necessary to conduct a criminal record check for drivers using fingerprints, and both Uber and Lyft stopped operating in Austin.
As of March 2017, when I write this article, it seems that it is still not available in Austin even if I have launched the app.
What to eat? What about charging? Other concerns
How do you eat?
Actually, before moving to the United States, I was worried about the diet. It's a minor issue, so I can't find it even if I look it up, but it's super important.
Every meal at a restaurant is expensive, and do you have time for that in the first place? I was worried.
First of all, I didn't have much time to eat slowly during the session, so I felt like I would buy from a food truck in between or look for a lounge provided by a company to benefit from free rice and free cafes.
In 2016, at the McDonald's exhibition booth where you can enjoy VR, you can get free burgers, potatoes, and ice cream.
In the case of hotel venues, there were cases where coffee and bread were provided free of charge during the first session in the morning.
By the way, there is a line everywhere at Starbucks, especially before the morning session, so I used to go to Royal Blue Grocery. There are a variety of fashionable foods like those sold in Brooklyn, New York, and we recommend not only coffee!
What time will the ban be lifted? One cup of bliss
You will receive a ticket that allows you to drink one drink of alcohol every day during the event.
The outdoor booth is right in front of the convention center and the Hilton, but there is a line after the final session in the evening, so it is easier to go before the evening.
I love beer × sunbathing outdoors, so I wanted to drink ×it as soon as possible, but if I drank it, my work mode would be cut off, so I was fighting temptation every day.
On a day when I worked hard without losing the battle, I can't ♡ get enough of the hops that permeate my jet lag body
What about Wifi and charging?
I rented Wifi from Japan, so I was able to use it without worrying about anything, but I need to charge my PC and smartphone many times a day.
Mobile batteries are a must, but in the case of hotel venues, there are many outlets in the hallway, so I saw quite a few people charging while sitting on elegant sofas.
I was able to borrow an outlet at the large session venue, so I had almost no problems with running out of charge.
Conclusion
The above is a summary of what I can see from my experience in 2016, "I'm glad I did it" and "I wanted to know sooner". We hope it will be useful to everyone who will participate in the future.
Finally, ISAO is a very good company that actively allows me to go on such overseas business trips!
Participating in SXSW is as expensive as a honeymoon, so it is difficult to go on your own.
Opportunities are given equally, and it depends on your growth mindset and hard work.
Moreover, there is a chance to raise your hand not only in the type of job, so why not become a member of ISAO?
If you are interested, you are welcome to visit the company and participate in the Meetup at any time!