Event Summary

SXSW 2024 is almost here, filling our city with tremendous creative energy, passion for impact, and opportunities to learn, network, and meet future collaborators. This year’s tech program is the largest ever, with a week-long huge program featuring hundreds of thought leaders, innovators, creators, and technology experts on topics ranging from AI and quantum computing to transportation and climate/sustainability tech to UX design and content creation—and much, much more. Keynotes, panels, workshops, meetups, mentor sessions, book readings, and other formal presentations and events will be complemented by activations, networking events, and countless other opportunities to learn, share, network, and be inspired. It’s impossible to drink it all in, but you can have a plan that helps maximize your SXSW experience—and we’re here to help! Join us for a meeting just 3 weeks before SXSW 2024 starts to hear from SXSW Co-President and Chief Programming Office about the many opportunities to learn, share, and network at SXSW 2024, plus his personal favorites and his tips for creating your own ‘best’ plan and how to take advantage of SXSW even if you do not have a badge. Then, network with other techies and SXSW registrants to hear additional ideas on what great content is coming to town and what to see, prioritize, and experience. Join us for a great meetup with passionate, creative techies, and leave with a plan—and even more motivation!

Speaker

Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer, SXSW

Hugh Forrest is Chief Programming Officer for SXSW. He oversees content for the SXSW Conference, as well as the Music Festival, Film Festival and EDU aspects of the program. Hugh was named “Austinite of the Year” in 2012 by the Austin Chamber of Commerce and in 2014, he and other SXSW Directors were named Austin Entrepreneurs of the Year by Ernst & Young. He recently received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Kenyon College, his alma mater.

Beyond SXSW, he has served on the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is part of the Board of Directors for Austin Habitat for Humanity and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Austin-based accessibility company Knowbility. Before joining the SXSW team, he founded The Austin Challenger and wrote for several other newspapers and publications.