The Evolution of South by Southwest (SXSW) | Hugh Forrest - E29

Having been with SXSW for 35 years, Hugh Forrest, the Chief Programming Officer and Director of the Interactive Section of South by Southwest (SXSW), shares the origins and growth of Austin's largest conference and festival. He discusses the event's roots in 1987, modeled after the New Music Seminar in New York City, and its evolution into a major cultural and tech convergence. Hugh recounts the challenges faced in the early years, the festival's impact on Austin's ecosystem, pivotal moments like Johnny Cash's appearance and Twitter's launch, and the continued shift from a music-dominated event to an extensive tech and creative industry platform. The conversation also delves into the future of SXSW, including the upcoming challenges with the Austin Convention Center's reconstruction and the continuous adaptability of SXSW to reflect Austin's dynamic trends. Listeners will gain insights into the intricacies of event programming, the significance of perseverance in the startup ecosystem, and the broader economic and cultural impact of SXSW. If you’re looking for the motivation and insight needed to build a successful startup, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• What makes South by Southwest different from other conferences?

• Making unconventional ideas a reality while turning something nobody wants or has value into value

• What does it take to host and grow a large, successful networking conference?

• Is AI in a hype cycle?

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - The Origins of SXSW

(01:48) - Challenges and Early Successes of SXSW

(05:17) - Hugh's Journey with South by Southwest

(08:24) - The Evolution of South by Southwest

(20:08) - SXSW’s Impact on Austin's Ecosystem

(27:43) - SXSW’s Programming and Structure

(39:17) - Future Changes for SXSW

(40:51) - Adapting to Austin

(42:38) - Emerging Trends and Technologies

(49:12) - Creating Successful Events

(56:29) - Importance of Human Connection

(59:25) - The Evolution of SXSW

(01:03:33) - Final Thoughts and Resources

Key Topics Discussed:

Funds and Founders, Austin Texas, Abhinav Sinha, entrepreneurs, startups, venture capital, South by Southwest, Southby, SXSW

Mentions:

Website: https://www.sxsw.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughforrest

Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com