Meetups and Networking at SXSW Interactive 2018

As this year gets underway, Austin is preparing for something huge: South By Southwest. During the two week festival, there are events and showcases for everyone, from technology enthusiasts to music lovers to film buffs. With all the people and places to see, it is easy to get lost in the whirlwind that is SXSW and Downtown Austin. If you’re looking for people to navigate the SXSW Interactive festival with, you’re in luck. We’ve curated a list of tech-based meetups, both official and unofficial, so don’t be too worried if you didn’t snag a badge this year. We will continue to update as more unofficial meetups are announced closer to the festival.

March 10

Bad Crypto Meetup

@ announced via email when you RSVP

5 – 7 pm

If you are a tech enthusiast of the blockchain and crypto variety, you’ll find your tribe at the Bad Crypto Meetup. This meetup/happy hour is being held close to the Convention Center, so you won’t be too far from the SXSW fun. Joel Comm and Travis Wright from the Bad Crypto Podcast will be in attendance to have some drinks and share their own insight about blockchain and crypto. This event is free and open to the public, so register to get the venue address.

Creative Failures Meetup

@JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

11 am -12 pm

One failure can teach you just as much as 100 successes. But even an invaluable experience can still leave you dejected, thinking ‘now what?’ If you’re still trying to figure out how to take your failures in stride, check out the Creative Failures Meetup. Mark Knowles, executive creative director of Taylor James, will be telling stories of his own failures and how he was able to use them as building blocks to get to where he is today. Attend and learn to understand professional failures as more than just impassable valleys. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 211-212.

Aussies and Kiwis Meetup

@JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

11 am -12 pm

Calling all Australians in Austin: here’s a meetup just for you. The Aussies and Kiwis Meetup is a networking event focused on celebrating Australian diversity in creative and tech fields, and you’re welcome even if you aren’t Australian yourself. Come out to learn about tech in Australia from Ben Keenan and George Hedon, who both work on PauseFest, Australia’s premier creative tech festival. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 208.

Bootstraps Meetup

@JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St

5-6 pm

Entrepreneurship is the best way to pursue your passions. But, without a strong backing behind your project, it can feel impossible. If you find yourself at this crossroad, bootstrapping may be the path toward getting your project off the ground. Bijoy Goswami, founder of Bootstrap Austin, will provide insight into how one can use the resources at hand to start on their venture and grow and learn along the way. As the old saying goes, sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 211-212.

Gen Z Marketing Meetup

@JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

11 am -12pm

For all the young tech creatives out there, this is the meetup for you. The Gen Z Marketing Meetup will feature a fellow young techie, Ishan Goel, who began his own entrepreneurial endeavors at the tender age of 13. Whether you are immersed in the college startup culture or looking to learn from your peers, this meetup is a great networking opportunity for you to meet like-minded, innovative peers. This event is open to all badge holders and is being held at the JW Marriott, Room 207.

March 11

Women in Digital

@ The Market and Tap Room, 319 Colorado St.

4:30 – 8:30 pm

At times it can feel like the tech industry is one big boy’s club, especially at a festival as big as SXSW. If you are looking for a space to connect with your fellow women, Women in Digital would love to have you. This event, exclusive to women, is a space for women to empower and learn from one another from all realms of the digital world — from creative to tech fields. This is a free event that is open to all people who identify as women (sorry men). Space is limited, so register ASAP.

Black Tech Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

5 – 6 pm

Representation in tech is just as important as representation in the arts. And trying to etch out a place for yourself without people that look like you can be a precarious task. Whether you are already established and seeking out new, diverse talent, or an undergrad looking for advice on navigating this industry, the Black Tech Meetup has a place for you. This is an opportunity for black tech professionals of all levels to connect and network to help bridge a major gap in diversity. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 208.

FinTech Growth Meetup

@JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

12:30 – 1:30 pm

In the realm of FinTech, one must keep a balance between establishing marketplace credibility and attracting customers. With this ever-evolving industry, companies must be strategic at every level of their establishment and maintenance. For those looking to start a FinTech company, or sustain one, this meetup will provide you with tips for every step of the way. Eytan Bensoussan and Justin Adler of NorthOne, a FinTech company focused on small business banking, will be establishing a blueprint of sorts to help you navigate the interconnected webs of FinTech. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, room 211-212.

SEO Trends Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

3:30 4:30 pm

With the constant proliferation of the internet and e-commerce, search engine optimization is more important than ever. If you are looking to re-vamp the SEO practices in your company, the SEO Trends Meetup is the place to be. The meetup will feature Michael Ramirez, founder/CEO of the Austin-based digital marketing company SearchRPM, who will dive into current SEO trends that will get you to the first page of Google — and those that you should leave in the dust. After the talk, audience members will have the opportunity to open a discussion on the presented trends. This event is open to all badge holders and is being held at the JW Marriott, Room 213.

I Speak Code Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

11am – 12pm

With any skill, there is always more to learn. If you want to learn from some fellow programmers, check out the I Speak Code Meetup. Julie Strong and Nick Ruiz, from the local marketing software company BrandMuscle, will be giving talks on their own experience with software technologies. This is a meetup for programmers of all levels of expertise to swap tips and tricks and discuss the latest trends in software — as long as you don’t get too technical. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 211-212.

March 12

Digital Strategist Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

12:30 -1:30 pm

What is a strategist? Digital strategists, business strategists, Creative strategists — just tack on an adjective and the possibilities are endless. All of the different kinds of strategists out there have variable functions and roles within their own organizations, and the Digital Strategists Meetup will give you the opportunity to network with them all. This meetup is a place for strategists looking to ~strategize~ with their peers about how they can learn from one another and be more successful and productive in their own organizations. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 211-212.

Creating Movement Moments Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

3:30 – 4:30 pm

In today’s social climate, companies are finding that philanthropic efforts attract consumers better than traditional marketing alone. At the Creating Movement Moments Meetup, you can learn how to go above and beyond just your job title and find a passion for more than just your product. Audrey Lo, of Silicon Valley-based trip.com, will be leading a Q&A session informed by her own experience with creating grassroots movements. Following will be an informal networking session with other individuals looking to make their own positive mark on the world and break the status quo with innovative brand management and marketing. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 211-212.

Girl Crew Women in Tech

@ Consulate General of Ireland office, 515 Congress Ave, Ste. 1720

6:30 – 8:30 pm

GirlCrew, an app for networking with and befriending other women, will be hosting a networking event for women in tech. This event and the app is a great place to meet and learn from strong, like-minded women. The event includes a panel featuring female tech professionals who will be sharing their own experience and advice for up-and-coming women in tech. The event is free if it interests you register for a ticket here and arrive early, as the ticket does not guarantee entry.

Emerging Tech in China Meetup

@ JW Marriott, 110 E. 2nd St.

11 am -12 pm

Believe it or not, the startup scene in China is huge. Come out to the Emerging Tech in China Meetup to hear experts Bay McLaughlin and Richard Robinson talk about the tech growth that is happening in China right now. Whether you are following tech action in the country or curious about their innovations, this is the place to learn first hand about how cryptocurrencies, AI, entrepreneurship, and more operate in China. This event is open to all badge holders and will be held at the JW Marriott, Room 208.

Secret Women’s Business SXSW Meetups

@announced via. email

If you are a woman and enjoy meeting other women, check out the Jozu for Women’s social events throughout the week. This is a series of events for women who are interested in branching into the startup scene or just looking to meet other like-minded techies. The events range from meetups to networking events and impromptu bar runs, and you don’t want to miss your chance to join in on the fun. Locations and dates of meetups will be announced via a private mailing list, so sign up HERE.

March 13

ATX Startup Crawl @SXSW

@ Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St.

5 – 10 pm

Come out to the biggest startup party in Austin. The ATX Startup Crawl is a showcase of Austin startups that will show you what technology in Austin is all about. This is both a networking and social event, so come out no matter what you’re looking for. This event is free and open to the public.

Appspire.me is ready to take on SXSW, and meet everyone who is coming! As more meetups are released within the next month, we will be updating and adding to our list, so don’t forget to keep watching this page.

the blog