Things I learned by Not Going to SXSW & SXSH

As discussed many times in recent days by FUV and people like Dr. V and Lauran Driver, SXSW is in full swing. The days leading up to the annual meeting of the geeks was prefaced this year by the first Social Health 2010 (aka SXSH) – the brainchild of Shwen Gwee and Dana Lewis – two very bright, motivated people with a passion for all things social and all things health.

I envisioned myself spending time with both Shwen and Dana, among others, and was really looking forward to hearing Eric Qualman and meeting e-Patient Dave. Heck, I might’ve even laid down some freestyle with @datboikhaki.

But, alas, duty calls – in the shape of an important client meeting that required my attendance in person.

Fear not, though… what I’ve discovered over the last few days is – you can learn a lot by not going to a conference. In fact, not attending might be the ultimate unconference.

With great coverage and updates from Mashable, Rohit Bhargava and others, I’m keeping up with the good, the bad, and the ugly going on in ATX. Oh, the hashtags help too (#SXSW, #SXSH, #SXSWi, #ER20, #selfpromosaveworld). So here’s some of the things I’ve learned by not attending SXSW 2010…

System malfunctions are a great way to end the opening day
Greg Matthews and the Humana tweeple are doing some really cool things – like the Humana Games for Health and the Horsepower Challenge, to name just two
Returning sponsor Pepsi is also doing some great things – my favorite has got to be this
One of my best friends is playing three gigs with Pete Molinari (if you did make it to ATX, check them out and say hi to the guy on bass for me!)
I could save my SX beer money and, instead, make a donation to help kids with Autism go to summer camp (HT to Chris Brogan, who lead the charge and pointed this out)
@JustAskGemalto’s (client) security sleuth & secret service agents are clicking pics and talking digital security with people like ReadWriteWeb’s Mike Melanson
@JuskAskGemalto's Security Slueth with ReadWriteWeb's Mike Melanson

The other important reminder of this week – client service and prioritizing client needs trumps BBQ, boots, and geeks (regardless of my love for all three).

Did you miss SXSW this year? Are you following it? If so, who are you following and what have you learned? Alternatively, have you learned/experienced something that you would have missed if you were in Austin? Share your thoughts with me here.