South by Southwest is an embarrassment of riches—thousands of speaking sessions, concerts and informal events happening all at once in the heart of Austin. So many great choices means attendees have to navigate which tracks and speakers are really worth their time, and which ones they can skip to hit an early happy hour. To make your life easier, Red Fan’s team of marketing experts (also Austin locals) has sorted through the sessions for you and made a few recommendations on can’t-miss events in each category.
This list is part of a larger SXSW series—check out the rest of our SXSW insider tips here!
Tech Industry: One of the broadest and most interesting tracks at SXSW, the Tech Industry Track features experts on everything from AI and robotics to Disney World—and lots in between. With emerging technology continuing to change the way we think about social media, computing and internet privacy, this year’s lineup promises to be a memorable one. You can find a few of Red Fan’s tech industry recommendations below:
Featured Speaker: Leading with Good Power
Ginni Rometty is a pioneer—IBM’s first female CEO, her success has helped pave the way for women to summit the highest peaks in the tech industry. In this feature session, Rometty will provide attendees a glimpse into her perspective on power and the keys to success in a diversifying but still male-dominated industry. Rometty’s session is a must-stop for aspiring CEOs, women in tech or anyone who’s still in love with IBM’s Watson. Mark your calendar, this session is happening on Monday, March 13, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton, Salon H.
One of the defining events of SXSW is the track-specific networking houts. The Women in Tech Meet Up brings together women from every area of tech and career stage in a fun, social environment. This is a great opportunity to clear your head between speaking sessions and connect with mentors, future co-workers or even potential funders. Take some time to unwind on Tuesday, March 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Hilton, Room 404.
Diversifying Tech’s Most Competitive Roles
Despite decades of diversity initiatives, the tech industry still struggles to hire and promote people of color in coveted positions in the industry. At least part of the problem is institutional—the pathway to coding is a daunting one if you don’t have access to computer science courses at your local public school. This session promises to dive deep into the reasons for, and potential solutions to, the tech industry’s diversity problem. Whether you’re a student looking to break in, or an established professional trying to extend an olive branch to the next generation, this should be a rewarding and educational panel. You can catch it on Friday, March 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hilton, Salon K.
Energy: The energy industry is nothing if not interesting. Oil prices have taken turns rising and plummeting, thanks in no small part to major geopolitical shifts.This forward-looking track will explore key topics that define human condition in the 21st century—from climate change to renewable energy and fair labor practices. A sampling of the sessions that caught our eye is below:
Release the Kraken: How Technology is Unlocking Greener, Cheaper Energy
Greg Jackson moved Octopus Energy Group, his renewable energy company, to oil hotbed Houston in 2020. As a show of Jackson’s ambition and desire to compete with established industry forces, this move has turned heads—and allowed Octopus to redefine Texas’ relationship to energy. You won’t want to miss this solo session from the cutting edge of energy innovation, happening on Saturday, March 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott, Waller Ballroom D.
Reaching Critical Climate Goals Requires Everyone
We all know by now that our climate is in critical condition. Transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives is an imperative, but how do we make that transition? During a session led by Wall Street Journal energy reporter Jennifer Hiller, experts on renewable energy will dive into the approach necessary to put more affordable, accessible and sustainable methods of clean energy consumption into the hands of more Americans—and the stakes if we can’t. This session takes place Friday, March 10, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Marriott, Waller Ballroom D.
The EV Battery Supply Chain Paradox
In a very short time, electric vehicles (EVs) have given us a glimpse into how effectively new technology can help us transition away from legacy energy sources. Despite the promise, and the growing market share EVs represent, their mission has been undermined at times by reports of unethical overseas labor practices at the mining sites that are used to extract lithium and other elements—which are a critical part of creating EV batteries. Recent legislation has opened up the possibility of a transition to more domestic mines, a topic that will be explored in depth during this panel discussion featuring energy policy experts. Join along for this deep dive on Saturday, March 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Marriott, Waller Ballroom EF.
Culture: Every track at SXSW contains off-the-wall, interesting speaking sessions—but none hits as diverse and unique an array of topics as the Culture Track. Featuring A-list celebrities like Kristen Bell, Daveed Diggs and Cheech Marin (of Cheech and Chong fame), the Culture Track is the place to learn what’s next across fashion, content creation and storytelling. The whole track is worth exploring, but our recommendations focus on creating the life and persona you want the world to see:
Don’t Lose Your Voice Trying to be Heard
Social media provides a platform for people with limited resources, connections or social clout to become storytellers on equal footing with A-list celebrities and major brands—at least in theory. While it’s been an on-ramp for creatives of all kinds, it also forces many to recycle content and lose their unique flair to keep up with the hottest trends. This panel, composed of leading Black creatives, will help attendees understand how to navigate social media while creating a unique and authentic voice, and retaining creative freedom. If you’re an aspiring creator, or just happen to have an Instagram account, this session could be the ticket to your next creative outlet—tune in on Thursday, March 16, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Austin Convention Center, Room 9AB.
Design Your Alter Ego: Who Do You Need to Be?
“Imposter syndrome” is an increasingly en-vogue term used to define a common element of the human experience. Whether you have dreams beyond your current ability level or are thrust into a role with high expectations, how do you maintain self-confidence when you don’t know what comes next? This session, which requires pre-registration, will dive deep into one outlet for fighting those worries: developing an alter-ego. Register for the session and attend Monday, March 13, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Room 303-304.
The End of Events, The Dawn of Engagements
Industry-specific events have long held an outsized role in B2B marketing—reaching your target audience is far easier when they pre-sort by profession and stay together in one location for multiple days. But events are changing, and the companies that rely on them to generate leads need to understand how and why. This panel will delve into the impact of rapidly-advancing technological tools on an industry still being rebuilt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Swing by for this engagement on Wednesday, March 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center, Room 9C.
