With my second year under my belt (which is a notch wider after all the amazing food we had this year) I’m already feeling like a seasoned veteran. Which only really means I just know where crap is now compared to last year.

When I attend a typical conference, I have set plan in mind, but as Jay Baer mentions as part of his ‘13 Observations From SXSW’ the only plan to is to not plan, and let the conference, friends new and old, parties, and most importantly, the awesome city that is Austin guide your way.

So, without further preface, I kept it simple: 5 takeaways, 5 affirmations, and 5 specific deliverables that I’m holding myself accountable for between now and the next SXSW.

TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS

1. ‘Where’s the Mobile?’
I expected mobile marketing/commerce to be as big this year as social media was last year. Instead Mobile location-based games like Foursquare & Gowalla were not only the talk, but also the time-suck of the conference. In fact, they may even be the hidden mobile platforms for ecommerce in the future based on some new features that were quietly announced. However, I will say that the last panel at 5pm on the last day of the conference on ‘Mobile Ecommerce’ was one of the best, and proved that PayPal is doing better than anyone else right now. (And I’m not just saying that because they bumped me $10 in a random drawing at the end.)

Mr. Michael J. Barber observed the same thing about Mobile Marketing not being as prevalent as his expectations in his ‘10 Thoughts about SXSW 2010’ post here.

2. ‘Better Hallway Vision’
My second year was 10 times the experience my first year was (and my first year rocked!) I think my confidence was boosted slightly by the fact that I had actually been there before now, and could circumnavigate the waters with some ease. Suffice to say, I had many more personal interactions, connections, and conversations.

My personal thanks and shout-outs go out to my personal connections and friends new and old that made this SXSW the most unforgettable yet:

@anniesorensen, @inmikeswords, @KadeDworkin, @GrantPeelle, @michaeljbarber, @jenleereeves, @msherr, @chrisbrogan, @jaybaer, @CoachDeb, @kevinrose, @alexalbrecht, @garyvee, @mashable, @skydiver, and @rushcar

…oh, and for the record, I did the links above BY HAND and not some new fancy-schmancy new @anywhere API that Evan (yawn) Williams announced.

I can safely say that my circle of influence (both inward and outward) is expanding way outside of PHX – but you need your friends there as well to fully round out the tech summer cap/spring break feel. However, It’s impossible to be at this event and be shy.

3. ‘What did he just say?’

Dear person who was selected to speak at arguably the most important conference of your career:

Seriously, you’re at a conference speaking in front of hundreds of people. Speak clearly, slowly and into the mic.

Sincerely.
- The guy trying to diligently take notes on the 50 slide of stats your showing but can’t hear a friggin’ word you’re saying.

(I guess this is why god made podcasts.)

4. Mobile is POPULAR. Get bigger rooms.

When you’re trying to get into a session 20 minutes beforehand on the FAR end of the conference center on the first day and you’re turned away for fire-hazard/occupancy reasons – get ready for some panicked people.

Now I was fortunate enough to have my company pay for the trip, but I’m sure many people paid out-of-pocket. If 2010 is supposedly the year of mobile, you probably want to reserve the larger rooms for THAT. The smaller rooms should be fine for Nina Hartley’s porn panel, and the like. Just sayin’.

5. From Good to Crazy-Awesome

One of the best feelings and takeaways from this year’s SXSW was the VALIDATION of our collective team’s work over the past year in the realm of Social Media and ROI. I told our story to as many people who wanted to hear it, which also include some respected experts and authors in our space. These are the people who would challenge us and tell us our shit is broken if it was. And that’s fine, because I firmly believe the only way to make something better is to break it.

Now, not only was it not broken, it was bulletproof, and the proof could quite possibly come in the form of some press and book coverage on our case-studies in the weeks and months to come.

TOP 5 AFFIRMATIONS

1. I will blog more, launch a blog series, and guest blog on at least 6 sites in 2010.

2. I will write and internally sell a Mobile strategy with the same energy and vigor behind last year’s Social Media strategy for Isagenix.

3. II will invest in, train, and build an in-house iPhone team for Isagenix in 2010.

4. I will write and submit my PanelPicker presentation proposal on time this year. (Now, just need to find the right TOPIC.)

5. I will contribute as much as I can, wherever I believe I can.

TOP 5 DELIVERABLES BEFORE SXSW 2011

1. Complete my 50 Brands/50 Brands blog series

2. Add a ‘Share’ toolbar/buttons on my blog. (I know. I’m WAY late on this.)

3. Write and submit my PanelPicker presentation proposal on time this year. (See? If I write it out twice, then I might actually remember!)

4. Launch a QR code campaign that has real, MEASUREABLE value (BTW this is already in progress – after only being back to work for a day.)

5. Launch our mobile ecommerce strategy and applications on iPhone & Android and mobile optimized versions of Web site on BB and Windows mobile.

Last but not least (and as my homage to Jay’s point on his blog), my kismet moment was shopping for pink cowgirl hats at Shepler’s with Jen Lee Reeves, 15 mins north of the city, outside a crappy mall, in the rain, and LAUGHING the entire time.

SXSW 2010 was successful on many fronts.

Some random pics from SXSW 2010…