SXSW 2009: Hang out with EllisLab
SXSW 2009 is only a few short weeks away and we’re starting to get excited. We’re doing something very different this year, something we don’t think a company usually does. We’re going to do our best to meet as many people face-to-face as possible. We’re throwing a party, holding a Community World Domination Summit, sharing a nightcap with Solspace, and offering to take you on a date (really). None of our events this year require a SXSW badge. You can skip the blog post and get straight to the details at:
We learned two important lessons from SXSW last year.
First, we learned that big stages and us don’t mix. We don’t enjoy it. We have this incredible community built around direct interaction, something that a “presenter-to-audience” environment doesn’t translate. The mics, tables, screens, and a PA system all created this environment in which we delivered a message but did not engage in a conversation or a discussion.
Second, we learned that the best moments at SXSW 2008 were speaking to people afterwards, hanging out in the hallways, and meeting up for lunch or a beer. The time spent around a table swapping horror stories, sharing ideas, helping someone with code, and listening to each other were the absolute best. Those were the moments where it felt like our Community forums “came to life”, where the person and the screen name met if you will. So this year let’s just hang out, take the time away from our hectic online lives and just enjoy the moments, share some food and good company.
Between now and SXSW we’ll be blogging about each event we’re doing, the idea behind it, and how to make the most of it. You can RSVP for any event over at the SXSW page at EllisLab.com. Then drop by the SXSW 2009 forum and let us know how we can meet you.
