In a few days, yours truly will embark on a great journey. I’ve got a full tank of gas, bags (somewhat) packed, and a road trip playlist that’s had more lineup changes than Spinal Tap. My fingers are ready to tweet and the Foursquare account is clamoring for badges. The PepsiCo coverage of SxSW thus far has been all-encompassing. The blogging, interviews, and photos have done well to capture the pulse of the conference. My anticipation has reached its zenith, and I’m ready to take the proverbial baton and keep this social experiment going. Since I am a SxSW neophyte, it felt prudent to seek the advice of some conference veterans and insiders.

You Must Respect the Badge – Helen Anders at the statesman.com says “the badge is the most important piece of your wardrobe”. The badge is akin to a golden ticket, granting entry into a musical utopia. It’s the ultimate accessory, an ice breaker for the introverted. Not to mention it’ll be more expensive than any piece of clothing I’ll be wearing.

To schedule or not to schedule– No brainer, right: 4 days, 1900 acts, 89 stages and panels, of course you need a schedule. But schedules are meant to be broken. It’s inevitable that you’re going to miss something. And chances are you may overhear a group waxing exuberantly about a show you passed on. But according to Mark R. Collins of the Huffington Post, “the real joy of SxSW still lies in discovering that tiny band you’ve never heard of…”, and I agree. Full disclosure – my schedule is crammed to the gills with established groups that I’ve wanted to see perform live. Yet, I have no qualms in passing them up for a lesser known band still trying to find an audience. Isn’t that what SxSW is all about – discovery? And with the emergence of licensing deals for independent artists, it’s almost certain I’ll be hearing one of the songs played this week in a future Pepsi commercial (my money’s on the Carolina Chocolate Drops).

Pace Yourself– This was probably the most oft-repeated advice I discovered. Four days of interacting, blogging, tweeting, and dancing can wipe out even the most experienced attendee. Rachel Maddux of Pastemagazine.com said it best, “take it easy…get your business done”. On that note, I’ve packed my lucky “festival” shoes and will be hydrating myself with as much Gatorade as possible.

Prepare for Crowds– This came courtesy of fellow ambassador Julia Keintz (@smeeshok). While I typically have an aversion to crowds, I plan to take a different approach at SxSW. There, I envision a crowd of like-minded patrons, who see this experience as a wise investment, and recognize the cachet that comes with being a SxSW’er. Standing in a crowded line will be the opportune time to share ideas, network, and compare schedules.

Well, the prep work is done, and it’s almost time to say goodbye Dallas. Next time you hear from me, I’ll be in the capital- laptop charged and badge around my neck –ready to be inspired!