SXSW 2014Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook, #DigitalDash

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Why do over 30,000 of the Who's Who of all things digital and innovative travel to Austin for SXSW? Is it just about wearing sandals and eating BBQ while socialites and influencers post selfies as they party with their internet friends?

Yes. But there is more!

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Here are some of my key takeaways from SXSW…

But first, let me show you some of those selfies!

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Human connections with old friends from past events and new friends were made during this conference.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

You may see selfies, but I see people who inspire me and help me to be a better human.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

SXSW is more than a party and social media is more than metrics, right friends?

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway One: Spirit of HumanityThe ooey-gooey stuff like fun, connection, music and the creative spirit may be difficult to justify to your spouse or boss, but they are all critical to business development and success. We are humans, not pixels. Imagine Don Draper thriving if he spoke in metrics instead of anecdotal experience.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway One: Spirit of HumanityFrom the front row at the SNOOP show to the up-and-coming indie performers playing at DeliRadio’s house party or the onstage performances at the Paypal lounge, I realized that music is an essential component to my own creativity and motivation. When the music plays, we relax and connect. The human spirit comes alive transforming an idea into a business and relationships into partnerships.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway Two: 3D Printing Gets DunkedIn 2013, I learned that stilettos and skulls could be printed. The 3D printing buzz in 2014? Plastic toys and Oreos. What is interesting to me is that last year we were creating human body parts and this year we seem to be creating cookies. No doubt however the food science industry’s 3D bioprinting of meat and creation of nutritional drink mixes will shake up the the future of our health industry.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway Three: Wearable Tech Gets FashionableDid someone say wearable tech and fashion? I’ve got more to share about this, but first,

let me take a selfie…

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Speaking of selfies… let me show you some more of those SXSW selfies…

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway Three: Wearable Tech Gets FashionableWhen it comes to the wearable technology trends, aesthetics and styles were showcased over function. From the gazillion early tech adopters in Austin, I only saw two people wearing Google Glass. This month, Google announced they are working with the designer behind Ray-ban and Oakley. As wearable tech like Glass and FitBit begin to integrate fashion and design, will sales increase? Time will tell.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway Four: Robot Friends Are AwesomeMeet one of my new friends I met. Her name is Brianna. She and I walked down the sidewalk in Austin and talked about how she was “really” in California, but was seconds ago in London. Brianna appears like a flat screen monitor and Segway mashup, however, this smart use of virtual reality, wearable technology time travel and teleporting capabilities may transform business as we once knew it.

SXSW 2014 - Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook #DigitalDash

Takeaway Four: Privacy, The New Black (that man is oversharing) This year’s hottest trend represented at SXSW was based on the theme of privacy. Who owns our personal data? Who will protect our privacy? Speakers like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange combined with the new trend of “shh apps” like Secret, Whisper, Wickr, TigerText, Gryphn, Frankly, Vibe, Rumr, etc., force us to consider our position on privacy and security and our values represented in politics, parenting, marketing, global governance, ethics, morals, education and more. Let’s discuss!

Special thanks to:

Nurenu as the exclusive sponsor of the

real-time event content coverage

and to

Paypal for providing the #paypalit perks including access to the lounge as the hottest spot at

#SXSW

and to

The Hobb Family, TOTT

SXSW 2014Top Takeaways by Andrea Cook, #DigitalDash