Featured Speakers

Featured Speakers are innovators and creatives at the top of their industries sharing ideas, processes, and expertise in the hopes of inspiring a better world.


SXSW 2024 Featured Session: Mindfulness Over Perfection: Getting Real On Mental Health – Photo by Jakayla Monay

About Featured Speakers and Sessions

 

Spanning the many tracks and themes of the SXSW Conference, Featured Speakers offer attendees the knowledge, leadership and inspiration to shape their professional careers and personal lives in our ever-evolving path forward.

See You at SXSW 2025

Join us for SXSW 2025 from March 7–15 in Austin, TX. Registration and housing are now open! Explore participation opportunities and stay tuned for announcements throughout the season. Subscribe to Event Updates and community newsletters.

Attend

2025 Featured Speakers Announced

The Kickoff to March is On

Explore some of the exciting names you can expect to see in Austin, TX this March, including President of Blizzard Entertainment Johanna Faries; founder of Early Medical Dr. Peter Attia; Professor of Psychology at Yale University Dr. Laurie Santos; and more!

Read All About It

Auntie Deb

SXSW 2022

"We will only change our future when we recognize what needs to be changed and when we say the words out loud."

Watch Now
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland speaks at 'Auntie Deb's Guide to Equity & Inclusion' – SXSW 2022 – Photo by Hutton Supancic/Getty Images for SXSW

Amy Webb

SXSW Online 2021

"Our goal is not predicting — it is preparing for what comes next."

Watch Now
Amy Webb - SXSW 2019 Featured Speaker - Photo by Mike Jordan

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

SXSW 2019

"I don’t think that our government is irredeemable. If I did, I wouldn’t have run for office."

Watch Now
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - 2019 - Photo by Adam Kissick

J.J. Abrams

SXSW 2016

"We want to see stories that are unique, that have points of view that might not be expected."

Watch Now
J.J. Abrams at SXSW 2016 – Photo by Judy Won

Stacey Abrams

SXSW 2019

"We have to stop allowing identity to be weaponized against us."

Watch Now
Stacey Abrams - Photo by Danny Matson

Anthony Bourdain

SXSW 2016

"Making TV should be fun. It should be a creative expression...Everybody should be pushing it and having a good day at work."

Watch Now
Anthony Bourdain - Photo by David Tait

Explore SXSW

Learn More

Dive Into SXSW News

Browse the latest announcements, programming features, and important dates.

Read On

Register for SXSW 2025

Experience unparalleled discovery at SXSW 2025 from March 7-15 in Austin, TX. Secure your SXSW Badge and hotel early to secure the best rates!

Learn More

Conference Sponsors

Stay Tuned

Sign up to receive the latest announcements, tips, networking invitations and more.