South by Southwest Announces PanelPicker(TM) Interface Now Open for 2011

AUSTIN, Texas, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences and Festivals kick off the 2011 season today, as the popular PanelPicker™ interface opens to accept programming proposals for the next event.  The PanelPicker™ interface is an innovative online tool that allows the SXSW community to have a significant voice in programming Music, Film, and Interactive conference activities (panels, presentations, discussions, etc.) through an open proposal and voting process.  For the first time last season, the SXSW Music and Film conferences joined SXSW Interactive in using the PanelPicker™ interface to accept ideas, resulting in over 2,800 submissions. The move was a resounding success for SXSW, continuing its efforts to build on the unique intersection of creative and professional minds throughout the three events.

PanelPicker™ is a two-step online system. Step One encourages the community to submit proposals for programming at SXSW through the PanelPicker™ interface at http://panelpicker.sxsw.com beginning Tuesday, June 15, 2010 through Friday, July 9, 2010. Additional information including categories, presentation formats, and the new user-generated tags feature built in to PanelPicker™ can be found at http://sxsw.com/panelpicker_faq.  Step Two allows the community to browse all of these ideas -- and rate which of these proposals they think are the best fit for the March event. Community voting begins Monday, August 9, 2010 and will continue through Friday, August 27, 2010. 

"Integrating the PanelPicker interface process into all three events proved to be a great success in 2010," says Roland Swenson, SXSW's Managing Director. "We look forward to continuing to engage directly with the SXSW community, so we can shape the most dynamic and forward-thinking event possible for 2011."

For 2011, SXSW Interactive is seeking proposals for solo and advanced level presentations. SXSW Film is most interested in proposals geared towards creating, marketing, and finding audiences for films in this new digital age, as well as hands-on workshop ideas. SXSW Music welcomes all ideas that bring new voices, perspectives and energy to the music conference.

The PanelPicker™ interface is accessible to the public, whether past attendees or engaged consumers. Participants will have the opportunity to propose and vote on ideas for any or all three SXSW events. Votes from the community, along with feedback from SXSW Advisory Boards and the SXSW staff, will help determine programming for the 2011 event.

About SXSW Conferences & Festivals  

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals (March 11-20, 2011) offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery.   

Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzz-generating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Austin serves as the perfect backdrop for SXSW®, where career development flourishes amid the relaxed atmosphere. Intellectual and creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each ever-evolving field, long after the events' conclusion.

SXSW® 2011 is sponsored by Miller Lite, Sonicbids, Chevrolet and The Austin Chronicle.  For more information, visit www.sxsw.com.

SOURCE South by Southwest