SXSW reveals speakers for Australian Meet’n’Greets

Twelve veteran SXSW speakers will appear at a series of SXSW Meet‘n’Greets in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this month.

Cumulatively, they’ve attended SXSW in Austin, Texas 50+ times, which in 2019 drew over 750 delegates and 54 showcasing acts from Australia.

SXSW 2020 takes place March 13-22.

Among the speakers are Unicorn Group CEO Ron Anderson and Monkeys Agency co-founder and COO Justin Drape—who, jointly curate the activities at the Aussie hub Australia House and will speak about their plans for the 2020 event.

An initiative of The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s, Australia House will over a week highlight Australian innovation, film, music, food and wine through live performances (including Sounds Australia’s Aussie BBQ), talks and panel discussions, interactive exhibitions, celebrity attendances, networking meet-ups and more.

MELBOURNE

Monday July 15, 5:30-8:00pm

The Gem, 289 Wellington St, Collingwood

Ron Anderson–Unicorn Group CEO, Australia House co-curator

Ben Keenan–Thought Police, former Clemenger BBDO agency creative director

Trent Clews-De Castella–CEO Phoria immersive tech studio

Marcus Walkom—Senior Lawyer, Media Arts Lawyers

SYDNEY

Tuesday July 16, 5:30-8:00pm

Upstairs Beresford, 354 Bourke St, Surry Hills

Gregg Donovan—co-director Wonderlick Recording Company and Management

Justin Drape–co-founder/CCO of Monkeys Agency, Australia House co-curator

Tony Perna–social media manager at Foxtel’s Lifestyle, former BBC Studios

Ron Anderson–Unicorn Group CEO, Australia House co-curator

BRISBANE

Wednesday July 17, 5:30-8:00pm

Fortitude Music Hall, 312 Brunswick St.

Sue Swinburne–7x SXSW veteran, Griffith Film School lecturer, led Screen QLD official delegation in 2018-19

Tom Larkin-VVV Management and BigSound conference programmer

Phil Brown–GM of strategic partnerships, Nightlife Music

Jodie Hilton—Fashion label & branding strategist, founder The New Garde, Uncommon Store

In the panels moderated by SXSW’sAustralasian regional development manager Phil Tripp – an 18-year veteran himself — the speakers will share tips for success, secrets to navigating the event, techniques for networking edge, personal wins and warnings.

The panels are heavily tipped to advertising, tech, marketing and start-ups which represent 70% of local registrants.

Though SXSW was exclusively a music conference and festival when started in 1987 and for close to two decades, that aspect now attracts 25% share through a higher level of attendee.

It is also a crucial film festival attracting Australian feature, short and documentary premieres.

There are comedy & CanniBusiness tracks in the mix as well as games.

“It may seem early to launch a 2020 event now, but there’s a rush from canny bands, labels and managers to apply in the first month while SXSW reviewers and auditioners are fresh and have time to give attention to submissions as opposed to the deluge of latecomers submitting close to deadline late September when their ears are crisped and tired,” noted Tripp.

“Same with the aspirant speakers who race to get their props in early before the July 20 deadline in the hopes of scoring a complimentary all-access badge if their topic is greenlit.

“This series of seminars will address how to best submit.”

RSVP to tripp@sxsw.com or call 041 22 666 77. Or join SXSW Australasia Private Group 2020 on Facebook. Applications for artist showcases, film screenings and PanelPicker speaking submissions open July 1 (Australian EST).

Band showcase applications open here, film festival submissions here, Interactive Innovation awards submissions here and to submit to speak, go here.