Post #477553 by spycygrl on Mon, Aug 17, 2009 1:23 PM

This was my very first Tiki Oasis, so I don't really have much to compare it to. I have, however, gone to SXSW a ton of times and can certainly say that I've had a similar reaction (and frustration) to the "overcrowding,""long lines" and "disorganization" at an event that used to be a lot smaller.

That said, no matter what, I always have a TRULY PHENOMENAL time at SXSW (and I've been everything from the All-Access VIP badge holder to this past year where I didn't even have a wristband). So, despite the event getting huge, there's still a ton of fun to be had, no matter who(m?) you are or what level of ticket you have.

Thanks to the recession and pay cuts, we are on a bit of a budget this year. We couldn't actually AFFORD to stay at the Crowne Plaza, so our friends in San Diego offered their futon. When I found out the tickets had SOLD OUT, our fantastic SD friend headed to the Bali Hai VERY EARLY on Thursday nite and actually helped set up in order to be first in line for the few that were left. We got our wristbands that nite and were able to attend. Thus, a little "self-organization" can go a long way.

I understand that, if you're staying at the hotel, it would make sense to have a different wristband color or something so that the pool isn't overrun by a bunch of hotel non-guests. But, I wouldn't have wanted the security guys to bar my passage to the room crawl because of it. I still paid to get into the event and tipped handsomely at any room party we attended. It wouldn't have been the same if I'd been made to feel like a second-class citizen.

Our friends said that, in years past, no one was even CHECKING wristbands, so I think some of the issues you mention may be more related to the increased popularity of the event rather than the organization of it.

Every large-scale event is going to have issues. It just will. You put a ton of people, bands and booze together for a weekend party and some kind of sh*t will go down. I don't want to belittle the concerns expressed here because they are totally valid and should be heard. And I'm sure the organizers will take these things into account for next year's planning (and avoid them, where possible). However, I still think the T.O. organizers did an AMAZING job and I was incredibly impressed, overall, with the entire thing. Everyone was kind, cool, interesting and fun and I really appreciate how difficult it must be to put something of this magnitude together with any kind of finesse. So, for that alone, I'm a bit in awe.