Should you go to South By SouthWest?

There have been some articles on the Internet recently suggesting that you shouldn't go to SXSW if you have a startup.


I completely disagree.


Every March, the pretty city of Austin, Texas hosts the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. It is split into three major areas, Interactive, Film and Music. Interactive focuses on all things digitial, while the others are, well, self explanatory.


There are lots of sessions running in different locations, from the convention centre itself, to the large nearby hotels. Although each is within walking distance, there is also a free shuttle provided every couple of minutes.


I had wanted to come to this festival for a long time and despite my roundabout journey here, I wasn't disappointed. The panels were interesting and diverse on a wide range of topics from the technical (mobile web versus native) to business (holy grail of social/mobile/local) to the speculative (should advertising agencies act like startups?).


But the real attraction is the people and the open sharing of ideas. Standing in line, sitting on the bus or waiting for a session to kick off, interesting conversation was never more than a "Hello" away. People were always ready and willing to talk about their ideas, their opinions and thoughts. Always willing to listen to others.


Panellists hung around after the end of their sessions to talk with people from the audience. In one, the SXSW staff had to gently encourage a group that were engaged in an interesting conversation on the nature of time and future tensing social networking, to leave. Of course, the conversation continued in the hallway outside.


This huge positive energy, the enthusiasm of the attendees, the open and diverse opinions and the sharing of information are what makes SXSW special. Yes, you can see interesting tech at other conferences. Yes, you have to put in the effort before you go to meet people and pick the right sessions to attend. But other conferences could learn a whole lot from the easy, casual and open nature of SXSW (I'm looking at you, Mobile World Congress).


Will I be back? Yes, definitely.


Should you go? Yes, you should.