Plastic Jungle hopes to participate in an exciting panel at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival, and we need your help!

Each March, Austin, TX draws in thousands of people for SXSW, where the brightest minds in emerging technologies come together for one of the most energetic, inspiring and creative events of the year.

As an “Interactive” event, it’s literally an open dialogue – they want the community’s vote on preferred panels, presentations and discussions. But with more than 4,500 entries, the selection process is very competitive; only 500 sessions will be chosen.

Help Plastic Jungle get to Austin!

Voting is easy – just follow these quick instructions:

1. Create a Panel Picker account. Click here to get started. You will then receive a verification email – from there, click on the link inside this email and you will be ready to vote! (You need to create an account because you can only vote once – SXSW assures that they will NOT use your account data for mailing lists or third party vendors.)
2. Vote for Plastic Jungle’s panel. Once your account is validated, you can cast your vote for our panel here by clicking on the “Thumbs Up” icon. Make sure you are logged in so your vote will count.

Our proposed panel is called Retail Therapy…Quick, Convenient and Cheap led by executive speakers from Google, PayPal and Plastic Jungle’s own CEO Bruce Bower.  They’ll discuss and debate how new technologies are shifting the commerce landscape, creating easier, more secure ways for consumers to purchase products and save money. They’ll also answer these questions:

• How have these technologies changed consumer spending?
• What are the most exciting developments you’re seeing in ecommerce?
• Do these technologies benefit retailers too?
• How does this shift in consumer behavior affect your relationships with merchants?
• When do you think consumers will be able to ditch their physical wallets for good?

Community voting counts for 30% of the selection process, so it’s a great way for the community to lend a significant voice in programming for the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival.

Polls are open now through September 2, 2011 – cast your vote today!

About SXSW Conferences & Festivals

The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals (March 9-18, 2012) offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW® is the premier destination for discovery. Year after year, the event is a launching pad for new creative content. New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings provide buzz-generating exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning, business activity thrives at the Trade Shows and global networking opportunities abound. Austin serves as the perfect backdrop for SXSW®, where career development flourishes amid the relaxed atmosphere. Intellectual and creative intermingling among industry leaders continues to spark new ideas and carve the path for the future of each ever-evolving field, long after the events’ conclusion. Highlights from the 2011 Interactive festival included the following presentations from Blake Mycoskie (TOMS Shoes), Felicia Day (“The Guild”), Craig J. Venter (Founder of J. Craig Venter Institute), Al Franken (US Senator, Minnesota) and Marissa Mayer (Google). The Film Festival and Conference presented the world premiere films including, Duncan Jones’ “Source Code,” Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver” and Joe Cornish’s “Attack the Block” as well as speakers, Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman and director Todd Phillips. Highlights from the Music Festival and Conference included showcases from Raphael Saadiq, TV on the Radio and Fitz and the Tantrums, and speakers Yoko Ono, Duran Duran and Bob Geldof. SXSW® 2012 is sponsored by Chevrolet, IFC, PepsiCo, Sonicbids and The Austin Chronicle. For more information, visit www.sxsw.com.

Each March, Austin, Texas draws in thousands of people for the South by Southwest Interactive Festival. The brightest minds in emerging technologies come together for one of the most energetic, inspiring and creative events of the year.

Plastic Jungle has an opportunity to be part of an unbeatable lineup of industry leaders! This is where we need your help. SXSW is a community-driven event and decisions are determined on several factors. Your voice accounts for 30% of the decision-making process. If you like our proposed topic, The Future of Money: Emerging Trends in Payments, make it known and give Plastic Jungle the BIG green THUMBS UP! It will only take a moment to create a PanelPicker account.

As always, thank you for your all your support! Please share the news with your friends and family on Twitter and Facebook.

UPDATE 8/27: SXSW PanelPicker voting has been extended through the weekend!