SXSW Interactive (new ideas, new technologies and new business opportunities that will shape the future, as well as game-changing insights from the world's most innovative thought-leaders) is becoming a catalyst for a wide variety of groups as they develop their own and learn from the innovation of others.
So here's the plan. If you consider yourself a member of the Faith + Tech tribe, then consider yourself invited.
This is not a stand-alone event. There will not be any special registration, flyers, or organizing campaign. Instead, as a tribe, in a very grassroots fashion, we simply share this event in our networks, and allow SXSW Faith + Tech to leaven SXSW as a whole.
What should you do? Well, first, watch http://sxsw.com and register early for SXSW Interactive (March 7-11). It's cheaper if you get in early. Then, when you have the chance, book your travel and hotel plans.
Second, if you are a creativity/interaction/innovation leader, try to get into SXSW as a workshop presenter (http://panelpicker.sxsw.com). If you get on the agenda, we promise to all show up and cheer really loud at the end of your presentation, then take you out for really good sushi.
Second, if you are a creativity/interaction/innovation leader, try to get into SXSW as a workshop presenter (http://panelpicker.sxsw.com). If you get on the agenda, we promise to all show up and cheer really loud at the end of your presentation, then take you out for really good sushi.
Protect two additional days on your calendar after the Interactive portion (March 12-13). You can stay for concerts and movies at SXSW. Or you can join your tribe for a retreat at a location somewhere near Austin yet to be announced. As a tribe, we'll process what we've learned at SXSW and think about its implications for faith/spirituality/religion/theology. We may also host a few presentations by members of our tribe who submitted workshops to panel picker but didn't get on the roster this year.
Throughout the event, we will organize spontaneous meet ups at various locations around Austin. Coffee shops. Churches. Hotel lobbies. This will be a crowd-sourced, ad hoc affair. Hashtag #sxswrel to catch postings and gather with your tribe.
Between now and March, we're hoping to drum up some financial support to give scholarships to Faith + Tech creatives who may not be able to afford passes and hotels at SXSW. If you have deep pockets and want to contribute, let us know. If you know someone with deep pockets who wants to see the faith community be a tech leader, point us in their direction.
How will we keep track of each other and know who is "in"? Well, first, anyone who shows up to events with the hashtag #sxswrel is "in." But to really start networking, we'll do what we often do--join a Facebook group. Here it is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517091648351256/
And of course, now there is this blog. http://SXSWRel.blogspot.com
Okay people, game on. Get creative. Let's not just ride on the innovation of others. Let's be the innovation we seek in the world.
