Thank you for your interest in serving on one of the SXSW Advisory Boards. Advisory Board members and Competition Judges not only play an important role in helping SXSW staff choose and shape the content that appears at the event each year, they are also representatives for the events that they advise, building community support, and creating excitement about SXSW.

The following applies to all advisory and judge positions:

Commitment

• Roughly 10 to 20 collective hours of work, depending on the event.
• Availability through, and adherence to, timelines listed for each event.
• Prompt response to communications.
• Absolute discretion. Votes and/or opinions on proposals or applications are NOT to be shared via social media or via any other channels, etc.

Perks

• SXSW BADGE – One (1) complimentary 2020 SXSW Platinum Badge (registration).
• FREE TRANSFER – If you are unable to attend SXSW 2020, but still wish to participate in the 2020 Advisory Board you can transfer your comp Advisory Board Badge to someone else for the 2020 event.
• HOTEL BLOCK – SXSW does not cover transportation or hotel costs, but there is a limited number of downtown hotel rooms set aside for Advisory Board members on a first come, first served basis.

Limitations

• Competition and PanelPicker Entry
  • SXSW Pitch -- If you have submitted a Business Application for possible participation in the Pitch event, you cannot serve as an Advisory Board Member.
  • All other events - You may enter the competition but cannot grade/judge your own proposal/application.
• Will be reassessed after each year of grading to determine continued status.
• Will not be issued a complimentary SXSW badge (registration) or invited back if all required tasks have not been fulfilled in the allotted time.
• Will have involvement revoked and will not be invited back if SXSW Code of Conduct is violated.

Before you apply please take a moment to look through the information about each available opportunity detailed in the sections below. SXSW Staff will review each completed application to determine suitability and compatibility. If confirmed you will be given more detailed information about your tasks.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Awards Judge Interest Form

The SXSW Conference Advisory Board aids in the selection of the majority sessions featured daily throughout the Conference in each programming Track by grading a selected number of PanelPicker-proposed sessions via the SXSW Evaluator. The Advisory Board also helps to shape the focus of each Track via pre/post event surveys and, in some cases, direct communication with the SXSW Track Lead.

Advisory Board input on PanelPicker proposals accounts for roughly 40% of the decision making process, with staff and public input each accounting for 30%.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Duties

• Grade 200 PanelPicker proposed sessions via the SXSW Evaluator.
• Complete pre-event and post-event Advisory questionnaires.

Timelines

NOTE: Dates are subject to change.

• July 1, 2019 – July 19, 2019 – Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications
• July 15, 2019 – July 26, 2019 – Pre-event survey
• July 29, 2019 – August 2, 2019 – Intros to SXSW staff Track Leads
• August 5, 2019 – August 30, 2019 – PanelPicker grading via SXSW Evaluator
• April, 2020 – Post-event survey

Contact

• For more information about this event visit the SXSW Conference page.
• For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten.

NOTE: These parameters do not apply to Film Conference Tracks. For inquiries about serving on the Film Advisory Boards contact Christine Auten

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The Interactive Innovation Awards Advisory Board and Finalist Judges provide valuable assistance in spreading the word about the awards, encouraging entry, recruiting new Advisors and Judges, and finally, determining the winner of each category and the Best of Show Award.

Competition judging takes place in two rounds. Before the event Advisory Board members grade competition entries via the SXSW Evaluator. Their grades help to determine the five Finalists in each category who will be invited to SXSW to demo their work at the Finalist Showcase on Saturday, March 14, 2020. During the Finalist Showcase the On-Site Finalist Judges cast their votes for the winner in each category, to be presented at the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Ceremony on Monday, March 16, 2020.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Duties

• Pre-Event Advisory Board

  • Promote entry into the competition among personal and professional networks.
  • Grade 75 Interactive Innovation Awards entries within your categories of expertise via the SXSW Evaluator.
  • Rate the five Finalists in each of the 13 categories and select a pick for Best of Show during the Finalist Showcase
  • Complete pre-event and post-event Advisory questionnaires.
  • Option to participate as an Onsite Judge at the Finalist Showcase for additional perk (see below).

• On-Site Finalist Showcase Judge

  • Attend the Finalist Showcase on Saturday, March 14.
  • Rate the five Finalists in each of the 13 categories and select a pick for Best of Show during the Finalist Showcase
  • Complete pre-event and post-event Advisory questionnaires.

Timelines

NOTE: Dates are subject to change.

• July 1, 2019 – November 15, 2019 – Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications
• July 1, 2019 – November 15, 2019 – Advisory Board promotes competition entry through personal and professional networks
• November 15, 2019 – December 1, 2019 – Advisory Board competition entry grading via SXSW Evaluator. NOTE: The Judging occurs during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
• December, 2019 -- Finalists Announced
• Saturday, March 14, 2020 – On-Site Finalist Judges evaluate Finalists on-site at the Finalist Showcase
• Monday, March 16, 2020 – Winners announced and awards presented at the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Ceremony.

Contact

• For more information about this event visit the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards page at sxsw.com or email interawards@sxsw.com.
• For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com.

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Each year, the Advisory Board lend their industry expertise as they evaluate hundreds of applications and help determine the companies that will present in March. These individuals are instrumental to the success of the SXSW Pitch, and their hard work, diligence, and support in bringing together the future of the technology industry to our event is greatly appreciated.

NOTE: Invitations to serve on the SXSW Pitch Advisory Board have already been sent for the 2020 season. If you are interested in helping out with this event, go ahead and follow the directions below. Once you have completed the form someone with SXSW Pitch will contact you with further information.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Criteria

• Extensive experience within the startup eco-system.
• Strong startup network locally and/or internationally that can be engaged.

Duties

• Provide 3-5 advisory board recommendation for the SXSW Pitch. If your suggestion is selected, you will need to provide an email introduction to the event producer.
• Recruit at least 5-10 startup companies to apply for the SXSW Pitch Event.
• Provide 2-3 judges recommendation for SXSW Pitch. If your recommendation is selected, you will need to provide an email introduction to the Event Producer.
• Online judging of the pre-event applicants who apply for the event.
• Market Event on your Social Media
• Provide timely / written answer to our written post-event survey questions regarding trends.
• Meet the minimum number requirement requested for each task requested of the Advisory Board members.
• Availability through, and adherence to, timelines listed below.
• Prompt response to communications.

Timelines

NOTE: The Judging occurs during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Timeline may need to be adjusted based on various to be determined factors. Additional items may be needed to be added to timeline based on the response of various items and direction of the programming of the event.

• July 24, 2019 -- ??? -- Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications.
• July, 2019 - September, 2019 -- Suggest additional 3-5 Board Members and provide email introductions.
• September, 2019 - November, 2019 -- Recommend 2-3 Judges and, if recommendation is selected, provide email introductions.
• July 1, 2019 - November 15, 2019 -- Recruit 5-10 startup companies to apply for SXSW Pitch
• November 15, 2019 (5pm CST) -- Application Deadline for SXSW Pitch
• November 10, 2019 - December 6, 2019 -- Online judging of SXSW Pitch applications via the SXSW Evaluator. **Note that these dates are over the Thanksgiving Holiday
• February, 2020 - March, 2020 -- Market SXSW Pitch to network of peers.
• March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020 -- Provide timely answers to the SXSW Pitch post-event survey.

Limitations (additional)

• If you have submitted a Business Application for possible participation in the Pitch event, then this becomes a conflict of interest and we can NOT have you as an Advisory Board Member.

Contact

• For more information about this event visit the SXSW Pitch page or email Michelle Murdough at michelle@sxsw.com.
• For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com

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Place By Design is a pitch competition aimed at showcasing innovative and invigorating design in the public sphere. Urbanists, artists, architects, and designers have the opportunity to present their scalable solutions for improving our shared landscape.

Finalists are determined by the degree of the social impact their work has on the community. Each designer or team will pitch their work in a fast-paced competition followed by a Q&A session with the judges. Apply now for the chance to get your work in front of the diverse SXSW audience and win the 2020 Place by Design Award.

Advisory Board members help to promote both entry into this competition, and then attendance of the event at SXSW in March.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Duties

• Promote entry into the competition among personal and professional networks.
• Grade 40 competition entries via the SXSW Evaluator.
• Recruit at least 5-10 designers/companies to apply for the SXSW Place by Design
• Provide 2-3 judges recommendation for the competition. If your recommendation is selected, you will need to provide an email introduction.
• Post 5-10 social media posts promoting the competition and the finalists

Timelines

• July 24th – Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications.
• July -- November– Advisory Board promotes competition entry through personal and professional networks
• November 21st – Applications close
• December 9th -- January 10th – Advisory Board reviews competition entries via SXSW Evaluator
• January 17th – Finalists Announced
• April, 2020 – Post-event survey

Contact

• For more information about this event visit the SXSW Place By Design page or email Hannah Sagar at hannah@sxsw.com
• For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com

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The SXSW Community Service Awards celebrate the spirit of community, both in Austin and further afield. Every spring, we recognize six individuals and six organizations (must be 501(c)(3) or otherwise tax exempt) for their commitment to community service at an awards ceremony that takes place during SXSWeek. They each receive a grant, complimentary entry to SXSW, and an opportunity to spread the word about their work to the SXSW community.

The Community Service Awards Advisory Board is comprised of people with backgrounds in social-good initiatives, Corporate Social Responsibility, and/or the Non-Profit Sector. The Board will help vet Individuals OR Organizations to receive 1 of 12 grants available for the 2020 season.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Criteria

• Extensive experience within non-profit, foundational giving, grants, and/or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
• Strong non-profit network locally and/or internationally that can be engaged.
• SXSW staff approval.

Duties

• Promote entry into the competition among personal and professional networks.
• Review approximately 60+ entries (either Individual OR Organizations)
• Research each organization/ individual to find other relevant information and develop a thorough perspective/ opinion
• Evaluate applications based on need, credibility/background, proper tax exemption status (orgs), and relationship to one of the main aspects of SXSW
• Promote the Awards Ceremony (free & open to the public and badgeholders) in March
• Invite members of the community and non-profit sphere to attend the Ceremony during the event

Timelines

• July- August – Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications.
• July 1st - September 6th – Advisory Board promotes competition entry through personal and professional networks
• September 16th- October 18th – Advisory Board reviews competition entries via SXSW Evaluator
• Week of November 4th – Finalists Announced
• April, 2020 – Post-event survey

Contact

For more information about this event visit the Community Service Awards page or email communitygrant@sxsw.com. For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com.

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Longtime New York Times writer David Carr spoke on numerous panels at SXSW throughout his career. After his passing in 2015, we launched the David Carr Prize to spotlight the intersection of technology and journalism, as well as to honor the influence he had on the community of creatives that come to Austin each March. High school, undergrad, or graduate students (PhD & Masters included) are invited to enter an essay or short story of 1,500 words or less.

David Carr Advisory Board Members are tasked with reading and evaluate these essays to help determine the top 5 finalists who will travel to SXSW in March to vie for the David Carr Prize.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Criteria

• Background in journalism, creative writing, and/or teaching.
• Strong scholastic network locally or nationally that can be engaged.
• SXSW staff approval.

Duties

• Promote entry into the competition among personal and professional networks.
• Thoroughly read each essay assigned
• Evaluate approximately 50 essays based on criteria to be provided.

Timelines

• August -- October – Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications.
• July 1st -- December 6th – Advisory Board promotes competition entry through personal and professional networks
• December 16th -- January 10th– Advisory Board reviews competition entries via SXSW Evaluator
• Week of January 27th – Finalists Announced
• April, 2020 – Post-event survey

Contact

• For more information about this event visit the David Carr Prize page or email davidcarrprize@sxsw.com.
• For questions about the Advisory Board process email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com.

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SXSW is widely known as a platform for exceptional experiential activations. The SXSW Creative Experience Awards celebrate excellence in spatial activations and experiences by brands, agencies, and artists at SXSW. Judging takes place on-site during the event and entries are evaluated through first-hand experience. Category winners are selected based on combined evaluation scores and announced at the conclusion of SXSW.

The Judging Panel is formed by invitation and through applications. As an additional perk, Competition Judges for the Creative Experience Awards will receive one (1) complimentary 2020 SXSW Platinum Badge (registration) for a companion.

SXSW Advisory Boards and Judges Application

Criteria

• Demonstrated experience with creative design and/or strategy for physical environments, brand activations and experiences, event production, and/or art installations.
• SXSW staff approval.

On-Site Duties

• This judging panel is unique in that it requires site visits to each eligible activation during the event. To allow sufficient time to perform these visits and submit your evaluations, you must commit to attending the SXSW 2020 event for a minimum of four (4) consecutive dates between Friday, March 13 and Friday, March 20.
• Please keep in mind that the bulk of the activations take place only on the first weekend, so you should plan on being here in time to visit them before they end.
• Evaluations must be submitted within ten (10) hours for each activation visited using either the online form or a physical ballot.

Off-Site Duties

• Provide 2-3 recommendations for future judging panel members. This helps to ensure an extensive and diverse candidate pool.
• Complete a post-event questionnaire.

Timeline

• September 1, 2019 - December 15, 2019 - Invitation to returning members, accepting new member applications.
• December 15, 2019 - January 10, 2020 - Judges selected and notified.
• March 13, 2020 - March 20, 2020 - On-Site Judging.
• March 23, 2020 - Award winners announced.
• April 24, 2020 - Provide timely answers to the post-event questionnaire.

Limitations

• In the event of a conflict of interest in relation to any activation that is eligible for an award, you must disclose the conflict and recuse yourself from evaluating that activation.

Contact

• For more information about these awards and the judging panel, please email experienceawards@sxsw.com.
• For questions about the judging panel application process, email Christine Auten at christine@sxsw.com.

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