What am I doing at SXSW 2009?

I am getting a Gold Badge this year, and plan on attending both film and interactive panels and events. I had hoped to make the Dewey Awards, since I was part of a team for AIR Interactive to update the web site for Anthropos Arts. Unfortunately the ceremony is at the same time as my biggest event, Nuclear Tacos.

In addition to volunteering as a panel liaison for SXSW, I'm coordinating or helping at the following events:
Girls in Tech Austin chapter Texas Beer and Chocolate Event at the Ginger Man
Monday - Dishola's BBQ Crash Course
Nuclear Tacos Night

Big events I'll definitely be at:
Mobile Social BBQ
6-8 pm Dorkbot at Brush Square Park/ Get in The Game at Ace's Lounge
8 pm SXSWi Opening/Frog Design Party at Mexican American Culture Center
8 pm - midnight Piryxtopia Party Benefit for Falling Whistles

I also noticed that whurley has tagged me to help coordinate BarCampAustin4, so I'll be bouncing back and forth again on Saturday.

For the full schedule, I'm still fleshing out my SCHED:SXSW

What's it like being a SXSW Panel Liaison?

This year will be the first year that I am not volunteering as a crew chief for SXSW. Hard to believe, but making a transition to a new crew last year at the same time I was dealing with a major illness in my family left me wanting to try something new and more fulfilling this year.

I didn't have to look far - SXSW Interactive started a Panel Liaison program for 2009, and so I signed up to be a liaison for moderators for several panels. Duties for a panel liaison involve communicating with the moderators on at least a monthly basis, starting as soon as panels are announced in October. The goal of the program is to ensure that panels are dynamic, diverse, and successful.

It has been a great experience, as I was assigned to the accessibility category and have helped some of the most respected people in their sectors.

Be sure to check out:
Saturday March 14th 10am-11am Making Web Widgets Accessible: Tools and Techniques Michael Cooper of the W3C
Sunday March 15th 10 am-11 am Accessible Flash and Flex Applications Andrew Kirkpatrick from Adobe
Sunday March 15th 11:30 am-12:30 pm AJAX Accessibility: An ARIA Duet Becky Gibson of IBM and Sharron Rush (Executive Director and Founder of Knowbility)