Hello friends,

Kayla Meyers here, popping up in your inbox with the latest happenings across our community. Today we’re launching our freshly renamed SXSW EDU Community Newsletter. With this refresh, we're excited to shine an even brighter light on the people, ideas, and collaborations that create year-round impact—while continuing to share the EDU Insider information you know and count on.

And with that, I’m happy to say that it’s officially that time of year again—PanelPicker® is now open! From now through Sunday, July 26, you can submit your session proposals for SXSW EDU 2027.

This is a really exciting time for our programming team because it marks the beginning of planning for next March and gives us the opportunity to hear directly from our community. Your ideas help shape the conversations that matter most across education, and we can’t wait to see the creativity, expertise, and fresh perspective you bring to this year’s proposals.

If this isn’t your first SXSW EDU rodeo, you may notice a few updates to our tracks and session formats. Each year, we refine our program offerings to better reflect the evolving education landscape.

Be sure to explore the PanelPicker Guide for a full rundown of our available formats, tracks, and the submission process.

With gratitude,

Kayla

Kayla Meyers, SXSW EDU Programming Manager

Kayla Meyers is the Programming Manager at SXSW EDU, where she oversees conference programming, the Podcast Stage, and the Competition program. Drawing from years of experience as an educator, academic researcher, and educational program designer, Kayla aims to create programs that give everyone the tools they need and a professional home at SXSW EDU.

Our Launch Startup Competition also opened for applications,

giving early-stage startups the opportunity to showcase innovations shaping the future of teaching and learning.

Applications remain open through November 1, but if you apply by the Early Entry Deadline on September 11 you can take advantage of the reduced $60 entry fee.

Now entering its 16th year, Launch connects emerging founders with a global network of educators, investors, early adopters, and industry leaders across both SXSW EDU and SXSW. Selected startups will pitch live before a panel of expert judges and an audience during SXSW EDU 2027, while semifinalists and finalists receive additional opportunities to demonstrate their products and build valuable connections throughout the event.

If you’re a founder building the next big idea in education, don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your startup to the next level.

As you prepare your proposal, here are a few ways to strengthen your submission:

🗓️ Don’t miss the deadline.

Submit your proposal before Sunday, July 26.

🎥 Include a short video.

It doesn’t have to be professionally produced, a quick phone or Zoom recording works perfectly. We watch every submission, so brevity is encouraged.

🧠 Focus on practical takeaways.

Our community values sessions that provide actionable solutions, tools, and strategies attendees can immediately apply in their own work. 

📔 Keep it educational, not promotional.

Clearly explain your topic and why it matters, but avoid making your session sound too advertorial for a certain product, resource, or book, as promotional content does not play well with our audience.

Still have questions or need more tips? We’re hosting PanelPicker Office Hours throughout the proposal window where you can meet with us to discuss your ideas, ask questions, and get feedback. Please follow this link to sign up and we’ll see you there!

We loved getting to see some of you in sunny Orlando for ISTE 2026 a few weeks ago! It was a blast at our expo booth connecting with the community and sharing some exciting new developments for next year’s event.

We even got a chance to see our 2025 Featured Speaker, Mychal Threets, take the stage at ISTE this year!

ISTE is one of our favorite events to participate in, where we get to reconnect with our community and make new connections. After hearing so many great proposal ideas in Orlando, we look forward to seeing those conversations come to life through PanelPicker in March.

🗓️ July 26: Deadline to Submit Speaking Idea in PanelPicker

🗓️ August 18: Badges Go On Sale (don’t forget to secure your insider perk ahead of time)

🗓️ September 11: Early Entry Deadline for Launch Competition Applications (last day to save on fees)

🗓️ November 1: Final Deadline for Launch Competition Applications

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