Hey, Innovators and Entrepreneurs: Your Complete Guide to SXSW V2VSouth by Southwest expands to Las Vegas, with a four-day conference devoted to entrepreneurial innovation. Find out what's in store.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
South by Southwest, the annual music, film and interactive festival held in Austin, is expanding to Las Vegas. The firstSXSW V2Vconference kicks off this weekend from Aug. 11-14 with a focus on entrepreneurialinnovation.
V2V brings together leaders from the startup and creative industries for four days of panels, pitch events, mentor sessions, networking and parties. Organizers expect 1,500 people to attend the startup-focused conference at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas hotel and casino. High-profile keynote speakers include Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, AOL co-founder Steve Case and FEED founder and CEO Lauren Bush Lauren.
If you're headed to the festivities, here's aguideto what's in store:
20/20 Vision Speakers
In these 20-minute sessions, speakers such as digital analyst Brian Solis and Seed&Spark founder Emily Best will cover topics like funding, business development, and creativity and inspiration. See the full list of V2V speakershere.
V2Venture Pitching
There will be a two-daypitching eventsimilar to the Accelerator program at SXSW Interactive. Finalists will get mentoring time on Aug. 13 and face off in front of a live audience and panel of judges on Aug. 14. See a list of thefinalistsandjudges.
Startup Spotlight
On Aug. 12, emerging startups will showcase their products at the Cosmopolitan Commons. Featured companies include personalized coffee subscription serviceBeanGeniusandCrowdFlik, a collaborative video tool that synchronizes and organizes multiple mobile video feeds. See the full list of startupshere.
Mentor Sessions
Attendees can sign up for short one-on-one meetings with established industry professionals to get career advice. Mentors on hand include Megan Adams, director of communication strategy and public relations at Knock Twice New York, and Jim Belosic, the co-founder and CEO of software company Pancake Laboratories in Reno, Nev. See the full list of V2V mentorshere.
Networking Events and Parties
It wouldn't be Vegas without a little glitz and glamour. Mixers,music showcasesandfilm screeningswill be hosted throughout the conference. See the full list of entertainment eventshere.
