SXSW 2025 Preview
Inside Scoop to Speakers, Films and Sessions
In March the world comes to Austin for SXSW and with more than 300,000 attendees, multiple official sessions and events and an ever-growing list of unofficial events, planning your schedule is more important than ever. With many more announcements to come we have chosen seven sessions and events for our readers who want to be in the know.
Jumpstart your schedule with these recommendations:
Jay Graber. Photo provided by SXSW
- Keynote Speaker. Jay Graber, CEO of Blue Sky Social
March 10 @ 1:00 p.m.
With social media in disarray many Facebook and X users are flocking to Blue Sky as an alternative. Meet the woman behind this public benefit company and learn about how she plans to use the platform as a disrupter for the public good with a “different type” of user experience.
Dr. Laurie Santos, Photo by Mara Lavitt
- Featured Session: A Sabbatical Deep Dive with The Happiness Lab Podcast Live
Mar 12 @ 10:00 a.m.
Join a live taping of The Happiness Lab podcast with psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos. Explore why sabbaticals—an intentional extended leave from your job—can transform your career, reduce burnout and improve your life. Harvard Business School’s DJ DiDonna, founder of The Sabbatical Project, explains 3 types of sabbaticals and why they’re crucial for creativity, relationships, and performance. Learn how to convince your boss, your colleagues and even yourself that a sabbatical isn’t just a long vacation, but a smart investment in your future.
- New and Noteworthy Tracks
This year you will be hearing a lot about AI, Fashion. Some timely sessions to check out:
Ai. Ai Essentials. Practical Skills To Get Started.
March 10 @ 10 a.m.
An interactive showcase presented by the UK’s leading AI skills training company showcasing what can be achieved using AI in under an hour. Going beyond the hype they will explore real-world applications and demonstrate how to productively integrate AI tools into daily tasks.
Fashion. Creating Inclusive Fashion Experiences In The Gen Z Era
Mar 7 @ 11:30 a.m.
Inclusivity is essential for building trust with Gen Z, who expect brands to authentically represent the diverse world we live in. While AI can create stellar experiences, challenges such as data privacy and the need for transparency must be addressed. Hear Five9, Under Armour, & Fresh share to create inclusive experiences that exceed Gen Z expectations & leverage responsible AI to drive retention and loyalty.
Remaining Native film still featuring Kutoven Stevens | Credit: Remaining Native
- Documentary Feature. Remaining Native. World Premiere.
Various dates, times and locations. Check the full film schedule.
Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggles to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great grandfather’s escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future.
Photo provided by SXSW.
- Meet-up. Health Entrepreneurs Meet-up.
March 8 @ 10 a.m.
If you’re building a business in health, healthcare, health tech, wellness, or fitness, meet with your tribe for ideas and support to grow your network.
Henna Pryor. Photo provided by SXSW
- Read This. Henna Pryor, author of Good Awkward and expert columnist for Inc. Magazine.
Keynote session. Social Fitness: Your Key to Dominating Disruption at Work
March 7 @ 2:30 p.m.
Up your “mental fitness” and build your social muscle with new research and strategies that will help you create productive polarity in the workplace.
Zwick virtual bike. Photo provided by SXSW
- Fitness Tech. From Tracking to AR: Tech Innovation in Sports & Recovery
Mar 9 @ 11:30 a.m.
Explore how cutting-edge tech is revolutionizing sports, fitness, and recovery. Discover shared themes and unique perspectives as Dan Eisenhardt (FORM) discusses the power of augmented reality and real-time performance data, Joe Cannon (Hyperice) shares his insights on innovations transforming sports recovery, Dorothy Kilroy (Oura) highlights wearable tech’s role in holistic wellness, and Steve Beckett (Zwift) showcases how virtual training is driving performance and uncovering elite talent.
