Can you think of a better job than Chief Programming Officer for SXSW? That’s what our friend Hugh Forrest has been doing for more than 30 years. As chief programming officer, he has the privilege of overseeing all the panels, presentations and sessions at the conference, as well as the film and music festival. This means he gets to work with some of the most creative people from all around the world.

What began as a music and media conference has now morphed to include creativity in all its many forms. From film to food to tech and politics, you can find all the emerging creative trends at SXSW.

Some new trends you can expect this year are blockchain cryptocurrency and cannabusiness. You can also expect to see a couple of sessions with prospective candidates for the 2020 presidential election. You’ll walk away with a good idea of what to expect in the 2020 run.
Interested in proposing an idea for SXSW? Hugh walks us through his top three tips for getting your idea in the door.