32,798 attendees at SXSW Interactive 2015.
Yes! You read that right 32,798 participants. So how does someone build friendships at Interactive and make the most of their time? During an interview, Sweet John and Justin Esgar were excited to share with us some tips on building friendships and positive things about being a newbie. For a newbie, SXSW is…
“Like walking into Santa’s workshop, going to Disney for the first time or a circus, Halloween and St. Patrick’s day rolled into one.”-John
Sweet John Muehlbauer (above right) of Special Projects and Marketing at Rocksauce Studios has been attending Interactive for the past 19 years. He has and continues to wear many hats: staffer, volunteer and facilitator. Fun fact he has picked up skateboarding.
Justin Esgar (left) is a serial entrepreneur that enjoys cooking for his lovely wife. Esgar met Muehlbauer at V2V in Vegas where they built a friendship that would lead them to the creation of their upcoming panel, Connecting at SXSW: Business of Friendships.
They shared these tips with us:
1. “You might think you are a little boat in a big ocean surrounded by big yachts. You might feel lonely because there are big awesome yachts around you. But most others are also in rowboats and you are surrounded by them (other newbies). So you can say to yourself, I am not alone in my in this struggle. It leads to a community: it’s not that you are alone but refreshing to know others are in the same boat.” – Esgar
2. For the introverts, “surround yourself with the loudest person at the after parties and lounges that person will pull something out you and get them going and feeling comfortable.” – Muehlbauer
3. “Participants of Interactive are people too.” – Muehlbauer
4. When starting up a conversation, “find similarities, most people have some type of entrepreneurial background so that is a starting point of a conversation.” – Muehlbauer
But most importantly…
Thank you Justin and John for reminding us all to drink water.
“I had extra water and 5 hour energy drinks in my backpack for those that looked like they had a rough night. I would go up to them and supply them with it, which would lead to a conversation and a friendship.” – Muehlbauer
In order to build friendships at SXSW one has to overcome fears and barriers. So many opportunities and memories will lie ahead if you do this. Step out of your comfort zone and talk to people. Saying, “Hi, what brings you to Interactive?” will cut the tension and who knows you could possibly be a speaker at a panel with your new friend 5 years down the road, like Esgar and Muehlbauer.
Talking and meeting other participants can potentially alter the route of your day. Esgar and Muehlbauer emphasized the importance of having a schedule prior to Interactive, but also having the flexibility to change the schedule if need be is important. Things will come up. Let’s say you overslept your first panel because you went to a lounge the night before or you are like me and you must see the keynote speaker Kerry Washington. Things happen, do not sweat it!
With the help of social media you will stay connected to the friends you build at Interactive.
In business, friends help friends over strangers. So build friendships now, talk business later.
Bring your friends. All 37 of them.
When and Where:
Friday, March 11
3:30pm-5:30pm
JW Marriott – Room 402-403/ 110 E 2nd St
Find out more: Connecting at SXSW: Business of Friendships