The annual trek to Austin Texas by geeks from around the country begins tomorrow. I started attending SXSW Interactive (read: South by Southwest) in 1999 and did my first presentation there a year later (yes, 11 years ago!).

Despite the Interactive portion being mainly about web development and technology, SXSW has always recognized the importance that technology plays in our health and mental health. And it’s this recognition and interesting discussions that keep people like me coming back year after year.

Sure, SXSW is about the many parties, the great keynotes, and wandering the vast air-conditioned desert expanses that are the Austin Convention Center. But it’s mostly about the great, creative people you meet at SXSW, and connecting with them to think of new ways you can deliver helpful information and tools to people. In my world, those tools are to better help people with their health, their mental health, and ultimately their lives.

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