June 20 — Entry process begins
July 15 — Entry process ends
August 5 — Last day to edit proposals
August 15 — Community voting begins
Sept 2 — Community voting ends
Oct 24 — First round of programming announcements

Link to SXSW PanelPicker 2012

Learn more about this process by clicking the PanelPicker FAQ.

See PanelPicker ideas from SXSW 2011 by clicking here.

The History – First Launched in 2007

Over the years, many of the most compelling panels and presentations for the SXSW Interactive Festival have come directly from our community. This process was formalized in 2007 with the launch of the PanelPicker, an innovative online tool developed to enhance community participation in SXSW. The Panel Picker enables the community in two ways. First, it offers the community the opportunity to suggest programming ideas. Second, it allows the community the power to review, comment and vote for those ideas they most want to see become a part of the event. This concept of community involvement has proved to be extremely popular -- enough so that in 2011 we extended the PanelPicker to include the ability to suggest ideas for all of the SXSWeek family of events (SXSW Music and SXSW Film, as well as SXSW Interactive).

"The PanelPicker interface is a natural extension of the creative intermingling that takes place during the festival itself. We are excited that we can provide a forum for new ideas to debut and flourish year-round."
– Roland Swenson, SXSW Managing Director

The Application Process

During the open application process, we encourage the community to upload proposals for panels, solo presentations, Book Readings, core conversations, etc. This application process is simple. Go to panelpicker.sxsw.com, select the correct conference for your presentation idea (Music, Film or Interactive), read the PanelPicker FAQ and fill out the form. About a month after the application deadline, all ideas received will be posted such that the online community can vote on which proposals they think are the best fit for the March event.

The Decision - Voting + Staff + Advisory Board

While voting from the community is important, these totals are not the only factor in deciding SXSW programing. Also playing a large role in the decision-making process is the SXSW Advisory Boards and the SXSW staff. As illustrated by the graph at right, each of these three channels informs a percentage in determining the content lineup. Moreover, having three channels of input in this decision-making process helps ensure that less well-known voices have as much of a chance as being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals were large online followings.

You – 30%

Who knows what you want to see at SXSW better than you? Your input is very important in terms of shaping the look and feel of the 2012 event.

A group of more than 75 new media experts at the forefront of the tech industry from the U.S. and around the world, the SXSW Advisory Board provides significant feedback on all submissions. The input of the Advisory Board helps ensure that less well-known voices have as much of a chance as being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals were large online followings.

SXSW Staff – 30 %

With years of experience programming this event, SXSW staff weighs in with feedback and work to fill in any gaps in subject matter, strike a balance between new and veteran speakers, and research each presenter’s history and online presence. The input of the SXSW staff helps ensure that less well-known voices have as much of a chance as being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals were large online followings.

"Our experience has proved that the PanelPicker interface is an invaluable way to connect with the thousands of professionals and informed consumers that make up the worldwide SXSW community. Not only does it help generate fresh ideas, it gives our participants an outlet to share with us what is most exciting, timely and relevant to them."
– Hugh Forrest, SXSW Interactive Festival director

The Competition—More than 4500 Entries Received For 2012

Last season, we received roughly 2400 proposals for the SXSW Interactive Festival. For 2012, this number has swelled to an amazing 4500 entries. Browse these incredible ideas for compelling content beginning Monday, August 15 by clicking on this link.