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  Sean Connolly is the Web Editor for the Online News Association.

  He likes to build websites, edit video and tell stories.

SXSW: Professional Spring Break

March 9, 2011 — 10:52 pm

Why is SXSW Interactive so exciting?

I’ve found myself looking forward to it since the start of the year. Last year, the conference came at a time that I needed it. I was mired in schoolwork I wasn’t passionate about and I needed something to reignite my creativity and passion for digital media. SXSW did that, and I’m hoping it will do the same for me this weekend.

In describing it to a friend, it’s a professional spring break. You’re able to leave your day-to-day behind, take a step back and think about what you’re doing in your life and in your work. It energizes you.

However, this year—my second year—I’m overwhelmed by the schedule. SXSW’s official schedule is hard to tackle, and even guides likeLanyrd’s and SCHED.org’s are difficult to use. There’s simply too much going on this year.

So I’ll try to take on the programming the next couple days, and pack clothes for a Spring weekend in Texas.