What is the quintessential event of the year for tech innovators and startups? In the digital age, it is – without a doubt – South by Southwest Interactive. Every March, the most inspiring minds in emerging technology gather in Austin, Texas to showcase the latest in digital innovation. SXSW Interactive was a critical turning point in the success of both Foursquare (in 2009) and Twitter (in 2007). SXSWi 2011 was no different and MagCloud was there to see it first-hand and share the latest from HP’s ePrint SXSW Go! Spots.  Now that we’re back and letting all that we learned sink in, we want to share the highlights of this 5-day frenzy of panels, parties and presentations with you.

–SXSW was the perfect platform for lots of great conversations around the new world of publishing (where readers are also publishers) and the impact of interactivity on storytelling and marketing.

–The Group Messaging Wars were at full strength but GroupMe came out on top (the free grilled cheese sandwiches certainly helped their cause).

–Tag your it…mobile tagging was quite the rage at SXSW.

–SXSW is not just about music and film anymore…this year saw SXSWi attendance grow at record levels and outpace it’s sister events.

–There was of course lots of great music all week long.  Check out Esquire’s list of bands to see at SXSW and one of MagCloud’s personal favorites was Bright Light Bright Light.

If you would like to see a glimpse of SXSW through the eyes of social media influencers  — including Mark Briggs, Brian Zisk, Steve Garfield, Michael Celiceo and Beverly W. Jackson checkout this edited video journal courtesy of Mashable.

And for all those that stopped by the HP booth and Mobile Park to visit with MagCloud it was great to meet you and we look forward to seeing you again next year!