The Ultimate Tech Guide to SXSW Interactive 2017

SXSW has become increasingly tech-oriented with many sessions between March 10-16, educating those in tech about the future of the industry. Personalization, AI, and VR are recurring themes throughout this year’s panels. Learning about these trends can help shape how you approach reaching audiences in new and innovative ways.

During the festival, Austin can seem inaccessible if you don’t know where to be and when. That’s why we’ve chosen these select picks for you. Read below for a list of the top tech events happening at SXSW Interactive 2017 that you don’t want to miss:

Friday, March 10

• Shaping Reality for AR Storytelling: Learn how to use AR to your advantage to tell a new kind of story to audiences. Westin Austin Downtown, Paramount 3, 11am-2pm
• Imgur’s Fight to Keep the Social Internet Authentic: Imgur is one of the most visited sites on the internet. Find out how they’re democratizing the internet. JW Marriott, Salon 5-6, 11am-12pm
• Austin’s Best VR/AR Startups: In 60 minutes, you’ll learn about five of Austin’s Best VR and AR startups. Hilton Austin, Downtown Salon C, 11am-12pm
• Intel AI Lounge @ SXSW: Intel will give insight into the automatization of AI. Lucille, 12-9pm.
• Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Brand: YouTube creator Sara Dietschy will help you decide what social channel is best for your brand. JW Marriott Salon E, 2-3pm
• Toward a More Personalized Web: WP Engine’s own CEO, Heather Brunner dives into creating personalized digital experiences for users. Hilton Austin Downtown, 3:30-4:30pm
• Influencer Marketing Discussion with feedfeed: Discuss with influencers how they’re changing the marketing industry. The Driskill, Jim Hog, 4-6pm

Saturday, March 11

• Taco ‘Bout It: A few special guests from the Webby’s will be in attendance, including their Managing Director Claire Graves who will present on “How to Win a Webby.” Oh yea, and did we mention there will be tacos? Max’s Wine Dive, 9-11am
• 20 Years of Data: The Heartbeat of the Internet: Dr. Jon Roberts, SVP Data Science and Audience Development at About.com help audiences discover the best ways to handle data in the past, present, and future. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom, 9:30-10am
• Bot Best Practices: This session will share insights into how to build bots for your brand by drawing from years of industry experience. JW Marriott, Salon D, 9:30-10:30am
• Rise of the Good Machines: With the rise of messaging apps, it’s important to know how to harness the power of the bot. Learn more at this session. Courtyard Marriott, Rio Grande Ballroom 11am-12pm.
• Is VR/AR The New Storytelling… Or The Old 3D?: New immersive technologies aren’t just for entertainment purposes. How are brands integrating VR, AR, and 360 in their marketing strategy? This session will help you figure that out. Sheraton Austin, Capitol Ballroom, 11am-12pm
• iMessage: The Next Marketing Gold Mine: Nike, Marriott and Coach will explore why iMessage can be crucial to brand success. Hosted by Snaps – a mobile messaging platform known for connecting top Fortune 100 companies directly to their cellphone obsessed consumers. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom 3-4, 11am-12pm
• Printed Light Fields: Engaging, Large-Format 3D: What if you can deliver a new 3D medium to your customers? Find out more at this session. Palmer Events Center, SXSW Create Stage, 12:30-1:30pm
• Open Source in a Restricted & Regulated Environment: This panel will discuss the risks and rewards of open source and possible stigmas surrounding it. Antone’s Capital One House, 3:30-4:30pm
• Snapchat for Business: Working With Influencers: Learn from Snapchat influencers on creating captivating campaigns for big brands. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom 2, 3:30-4:30pm

Sunday, March 12

• Hot to Bot: Chatbots & the Conversational Economy: This session will discuss how chatbots are changing the way brands communicate and collect data from companies. Courtyard Marriott Rio Grande Ballroom, 11:00am-12pm.
• Podcasters Meet Up: Podcasters will rejoice in the craft of telling stories through an audio medium. JW Marriott, Room 209, 12:30-1:30pm
• Measuring Media: Big Dreams, Big Data:  This panel explores finding data through language and interests. Hilton Austin Downtown, Zilker Ballroom 2, 12:30-1:30pm
• Non-Obvious: Trends of the Future: During this featured book reading, Rohit Bhargava will share unexpected new trends about marketing, entrepreneurship, and consumer behavior. Austin Convention Center, Ballroom C, 1-2:30pm
• Living Profiles & the Power of Personalization: In this session, you will discover how to uncover data through new techniques in AI and use them for a more personalized experience. Courtyard Marriott, Rio Grande, 2-3pm

Monday, March 13

• Moving at a Mobile Minute: The thumb is in charge. Learn from other marketers what your customer wants and needs in terms of mobile. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom 1, 9:30-10:30am
• Artificial Intelligence & Bots: Strategy & Execution: This is an interactive three hour session uncovering the breakthroughs of AI and bots. Westin Austin Downtown, Continental 3, 9:30am-12:30pm
• Is Anyone Paying Attention to Your Content?: How do you define “attention?” How do you capture it and build leads through your content marketing? This session will help you find that out. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom, 3:30-4:40pm

Tuesday, March 14

• Video Production: The Next 10x Tech Marketplace: Video production is rapidly getting added to marketing budgets. Learn how to get ahead of the curve with branded videos. Hyatt Regency Austin, Zilker Ballroom 2, 11am-12pm.
• Trust Me, I’m ‘Influential’: This panel discusses what influences people and how to use it to build partnerships and your brand. Hyatt Regency Austin, Ballroom 3-4, 12:30-1:30pm
• The Creator’s Handbook for VR & 360 Storytelling: Panelists from Google, Pinkbox, and more will chat about how to create successful stories through VR and 360 video. JW Marriott, Salon 1-2, 2-3pm
• Retail Innovation: Reshaping Customer Experience: Data and new types of content are reshaping the customer experience. Learn how to leverage new techniques with this session. Courtyard Marriott, Rio Grande Ballroom, 2-3pm
• Mobile Studio: Creativity In Your Pocket: The mobile phone is small but powerful. Did you know you can create captivating ads straight from your phone? This session gives tips and tricks for designing and editing them. Westin Austin Downtown, Paramount 2, 3:30-5pm

Wednesday, March 15

• Brain, Behavior, Story: Mind-Changing Narratives: Brands must constantly persuade and change minds. Chat with Ogilvy’s PR global chairman to take away a new view to change minds and effective persuasion. JW Marriott, Salon E, 12:30-1:30pm
• Memories Matter: Leveraging the Experience Economy: Leaders from Lyft, Stubhub, and Mashable come together to talk about how experiences are replacing possessions in our customer’s lives. JW Marriott, Salon E, 3:30-4:30pm
• How to Fund Original VR Content: Before making great content, learn how to fund it with VR funding experts. JW Marriott, Salon 1-2, 5-6pm

Thursday, March 16

• Ask Before You Need: Startups, Investing & You: Join WP Engine’s CTO, Jason Cohen and others to discover how the startup business has changed over time and to set yours apart. Hilton Downtown Austin, Salon D, 12:30-1:30pm
• Virtual Reality: The Make It or Break It Years: Take a look into the VR industry’s next four years and how it will affect the current climate of trade relationships and cyber espionage. JW Marriott, Salon C, 12:30-1:30pm
• Brands are Leading the Way in the Evolution of VR: This session dissects and delves into the relationship between brands and VR. JW Marriott, Salon 1-2, 3:30-4:30pm

Did we forget anything? Leave us a comment to let us know what digital marketing events you’re looking forward to the most at SXSW Interactive 2017. For other notable SXSW events, check out the 2017 SXSW Schedule.