SXSW 2025: Where We're Headed

Feb 19

After attending SXSW for too many years to count, I’ve fine tuned the events that I attend year after year.

Most of the action happens Thursday - Monday, and I also recommend building in breaks. I’ve burned out by Sunday in recent years when I overschedule myself for those first 3 days.

Speaking of breaks, find friends to eat and stand in line with! Much of what makes SXSW memorable are the in-between moments and connections.

Insider tip: If you need a place to chill and grab food, check out Fareground (right across the street from the JW Marriott, where health and brand/marketing sessions are hosted).

If you are a badge holder, I’ve also curated a list of sessions related to women’s health, female founders, startups and funding.

If you’re not, no worries, there are plenty of events to partake in. My favorites being SHE Media Co-Lab, Female Quotient and Inc Founders House. If you’re in PR, I also recommend Axios House and Fast Company Grill.

Friday, March 7:

10:00a doors open to SHE Media Co-Lab (304 E 3rd St adjacent to the Convention Center)

11:30a - 12:30p SXSW sessions (badge required)

Grieving Out Loud: How Media is Revolutionizing Our Grief (Austin Convention Center)
The Startup and VC Landscape of Texas (Hilton Austin Downtown)

2:30p-3:30p SXSW sessions (badge required)

Beyond Limits: Harnessing Altered States for Peak Performance (JW Marriott)
Crisis to Credibility: Restoring Trust in Modern Science (JW Marriott)

3:00p-5:00p Celebrate International Women’s Day with The 19th (Indeed Tower, Suite 1700)

4:00p-5:00p SXSW session (badge required)

How to Build An Uncompromising Brand (Hilton Austin Downton)

6:00p-8:00p Axios House opening reception (Inn Cahoots)

Saturday, March 8:

8:30a doors open to Female Quotient Equality Lounge (Waller Creek Boathouse - behind the Four Seasons)

10:00a doors open to SHE Media Co-Lab (304 E 3rd St adjacent to the Convention Center)

10:00a doors open to Inc. Founders House (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott) and Fast Company Grill (Cedar Door next to Foxy’s Proper Pub)

10:00a - 10:20a Inc. Founders House Meet the Speaker Book Signing: Rebecca Minkoff (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

10:00a - 10:30a FQ Lounge @ SXSW The Other Half: Addressing Disparities in Women’s Health (Waller Creek Boathouse)

10:00a-11:00a SXSW sessions (badge required)

Expanding Horizons: Women's Health & Psychedelics (JW Marriott)

10:30a - 11:30a FQ Lounge @ SXSW Dolphin Tank: Women in Tech (Waller Creek Boathouse)

10:30a - 11:00a Inc. Founders House Your Next Move: Female Founders - The Funding Question(Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

11:00a - 11:30a Inc. Founders House Inside the New Female Founder Boom: What Comes Next (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

11:30a - 12p FQ Lounge @ SXSW Algorithm for Equality: AI as a CO-Creator (Waller Creek Boathouse)

11:30a-12:30p SXSW sessions (badge required)

Executive Moms: On Shattering Old & Outdated Workplace Myths (Austin Marriott Downtown)
The Hidden Pink Tax Fueling High Healthcare Costs for Women (JW Marriott)
Beyond VC: Redefining Funding For Impact Startups (Hilton Austin Downtown)

11:30a - 12:00p Inc. Founders House Female Founders: Brillant Brand Building (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

12:00p - 12:30p FQ Lounge @ SXSW The Disruptor’s Advantage: Innovation, AI, and Brand Growth (Waller Creek Boathouse)

12:30p - 1:00p Inc. Founders House Innovate Alabama: Powering the Future of Female Entrepreneurship(Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

1:00p - 1:30p Inc. Founders House Female Founders: Moving the Goalposts (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

1:30p - 2:00p FQ Lounge @ SXSW Building Beyond Boundaries: The Evolution of “Homemaker” (Waller Creek Boathouse)

1:30p - 2:00p Inc. Founders House Female Founders: the New Measures of Success (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

2:30p-3:30p SXSW session (badge required)

Transforming Women's Health: From Pain to Progress (JW Marriott)

2:30p - 3:00p Inc. Founders House A Life (Still) in Motion: A conversation with Misty Copeland (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

3:00p-5:00p Axios House: The Future of Retail (Inn Cahoots)

3:30p - 4:00p Inc. Founders House The $75 Billion Deception Economy and the Female Founders Finding the Solution (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

4:30p - 5:00p FQ Lounge @ SXSW CMO Now: From Setbacks to Success (Waller Creak Boathouse)

4:30p - 5:00p Inc. Founders House The Professional is Personal: A Conversation with Lili Reinhart (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott)

6:00p-9:00p Muck Rack “Off the Record” for PR professionals - request an invite (ATX Cocina)

Sunday, March 9:

8:30a doors open to Female Quotient Equality Lounge (Waller Creek Boathouse - behind the Four Seasons)

10:00a doors open to SHE Media Co-Lab (304 E 3rd St adjacent to the Convention Center)

10:00a doors open to Inc. Founders House (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott) and Fast Company Grill (Cedar Door next to Foxy’s Proper Pub)

10:00a-1:00p PR & Communications Meetup (request an invite)

1:00p - 1:30p FQ Lounge @ SXSW A Life Worth Living Out Loud: A Conversation with Chelsea Handler (Waller Creak Boathouse)

2:00p - 2:30p FQ Lounge @ SXSW Own Your Awesome: Architecting Your Personal Philosophy (Waller Creak Boathouse)

2:30p-3:30p SXSW sessions (badge required)

Small Agency Meet Up (JW Marriott)
Tailored Therapies: Healthcare That’s as Unique as You Are (JW Marriott)

3:00p-5:00p Axios House: Appealing to the Savvy Consumer (Inn Cahoots)

4:00p SXSW session (badge required)

Fireside Chat with Two Non-Alcoholic Beverage Innovators (JW Marriott)

5:30-8:00p Axios House: Chelsea Handler (Inn Cahoots)

Monday, March 10:

10:00a doors open to Inc. Founders House (Foxy’s Proper Pub one block down from the JW Marriott) and Fast Company Grill (Cedar Door next to Foxy’s Proper Pub)

10:00-11:00a SXSW session (badge required)