Blogher hits SXSW Interactive this March

If you've been jones'ing for some BlogHer Conference (and I know that we all can't get enough of going to conferences) then I have just the news to brighten your day:

BlogHer will be co-producing a set of sessions at SXSW Interactive this March in Austin, TX. We've been working with Hugh Forrest from SXSW, and we are pleased to announce the following 4 sessions will be produced under the BlogHer umbrella:

Debate: Public Square or Private Club?
What happens when online communities decide to form a group around identities -- gender, race and/or interest? Are these groups essential to create solidarity and strength for groups ignored by the mainstream, media or otherwise? Or do these groups foster separatism and marginalize members? Do these groups ultimately weaken the strength of identity-based communities by alienating people who don’t “belong” in a group but are deeply interested in it? What works best—a public square or a private club?

Moderated by Lisa Stone, who is joined by BlogHers, including Sour Duck and Tiffany Brown, consider this a sequel to the BlogHer Debate from Conference '05.

And speaking of sequels...

We Got Naked...now what?
The alternate title could be "Getting Naked...at work." Some bloggers argue that you only become effective by putting more skin in the game, but is there such a thing as being too naked? Can you open your kimono in one blog post, and wear a button-down shirt in another? This panel showcases bloggers who opted to bring their personal lives onto their professional blogs, with varying degrees of success.

I'm moderating this panel, so that the Queen of Naked, Ms. Jory Des Jardins can sit on the panel, along with BlogHers Laina Dawes, Evelyn Rodriguez and the Phantom Professor herself!

Then we have two panels that will explore the effect of blogging and online communities at either end of the human life...

Meet Judy Jetson: How technology is transforming 21st century teens
What happens when teens do what teens have always done (write diaries and poetry, gossip, bully, hook-up, cheat) using interactive technologies (such as SMS, blogs, social networking sites and IM)?

YPulse editor Anastasia Goodstein leads a panel of teens in this discussion, which is being made possible by generous sponsorship from Beinggirl, a Proctor & Gamble Web site. If you have read the recaps form the Web 2.0 conference, or were in the audience at BlogOn, you may have noticed how we all inevitably forget what we were like in our teen years! Prepare to be reminded.

And last, but not least...

Respect Your ElderBloggers
The hottest frontier for technology may be the retirement home. As the baby boomer generation ages, creating the largest elderly market segment in history, blogs and online communities are reducing the isolation and mental stagnation people risk as they age and their social circle dies off. Are today’s developers of tools, services and networks considering the needs of senior boomer-users as they work on features, user interface, marketing and more?

Moderated by Lori Bitter, a Partner at JWT Mature Market Group and an expert on the aging market segment. Lori will be joined by BlogHers including Ronni Bennett and Marian Douglas.

BTW: you may remember that Hugh (and SXSW) was a big supporter of BlogHer and encouraged us to encourage you to submit ideas. Sounds like you did. If you check out this list of panels and speakers, you will note the following women kicking ass producing other panels of interest to BlogHers:

Heather Armstrong
Julie Leung-Bloggers in Love: Intimacy, Technology and Mask-Making
Shelly Powers, Dori Smith, Kathy Sierra & others-Why Are Women Invisible on the Web: Whose Butts Should We be Kicking?
Nancy White & others-Us and Them: A Blog Conversation Survival Guide
danah boyd
Susannah Gardner

Did I miss anyone?

We are so excited about this set of co-produced panels (and all the other great women-produced panels) and if you were looking for a good excuse to visit SXSW this year I hope we've nudged you in that direction!

Comments

[Jenn]

Now, THAT is going to be a great time. Not sure if I am going to be able to get into SXSW, but I sure as heck will descend on Austin that weekend with the Moms. ;-)

[Julie Leung]

Thanks, Elisa. I'm grateful for Hugh's encouragement and for Blogher's promotion of the SXSW opportunity. BlogHer Lisa Williams has been my partner in putting the Bloggers in Love panel together. And BlogHer Ponzi Indharasophang is on the panel. Jeneane Sessum, who wasn't able to make it to Blogher, is another panelist. It should be fun - the panel and the conference! Thanks again to BlogHer and Hugh!

[Julie Leung]

Forgot to mention that Lisa will be moderating the panel! Thanks again...

[Jory Des Jardins]

"Queen of Naked"--Getting business cards made now--with tasteful centerfold.

[Lisa Stone]

Fantastic, Julie, Lisa -- can't wait to see you all again and meet every woman on these panels.
Jenn, in a word, YAY!

I've asked SXSW for a line-up of times and dates for each of these panels. So that we can schedule our shenanigans accordingly...

[zephoria]

Yayay! Btw, for those who are curious, my panel will be on "Global and Local Social Play" and includes Jane McGonigal, Irina Shklovski and Amanda Williams - BlogHers that weren't able to attend last year but are definitely part of the conversation.

[GraceD]

This BlogHer is proud to be on Nancy White's panel along with Koan Bremner.

Onward to tossing back Shiner Bocks with the BlogHer community!

[Class V]

Look forward to seeing y'all here!

I'll be speaking on the "The Perfect Pitch" panel on March 12, currently scheduled for 3:30 PM.

Let me know if I can help with an Austin Meetup at that time!

- Class V (classv.typepad.com)

[Elisa Camahort]

Hey Class V, great idea.We'll have to take a look at the full schedule when it's available and pick a time for an Austin BlogHer meetup.

Then we'll definitely need an Austin-ite to help us pick the perfect place.

(You're now in our BlogHerRoll, BTW.)

[Class V]

Thank you, Elisa, for the add!

When the time comes, let me know what I can do to help, to set up an Austin Meetup. Looking forward to it already!

[Nancy White]

Time to plan Austin Meet up

(We might privately off blog share where we are staying, etc. I may be able to share my hotel room too.)