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That's not an accurate impression of SXSW. There are many companies and folks there doing fascinating things and solving hard problems. If you just go the panels and hang out at the convention center, you're going to miss out. If you have a personal network that you can tap into and leverage to meet more folks, you get a huge benefit out of SXSW.

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> If you just go the panels and hang out at the convention center

[also known as "SXSW"]

> you're going to miss out. If you have a personal network that you can tap into and leverage

[also known as "not SXSW"]

> to meet more folks, you get a huge benefit out of SXSW.

So, in other words, you get a benefit out of SXSW... by not going to SXSW, and doing something else instead.

I do this this is accurate. Going to Austin during SXSW can be really valuable, exciting, and inspiring. Paying for a badge and doing the panel circuit isn't worth the money or time away from what's outside the CC.

Depends how strictly you define "SXSW". Point is that SXSW is a huge networking opportunity whether you go to the panels or not- friends of mine got to chat with staff at Foursquare, Spotify, and all manner of other organisations, just by going to their SXSW "space". There are very few other events that can claim that.

(I mean, where else can you watch Dave Tisch speed-eat grilled cheese sandwiches?)

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