Campaign season has begun and no, I’m not talking about the presidential race. I’m talking about South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual festival that is to innovation what gadgets are to CES.

Every March, professionals from the film, music and tech industries make a pilgrimage to Austin, Texas for a melding of the minds, and every year, the world watches in anticipation as new innovations emerge and trends are established.

While SXSW may be months away, voting has already begun to determine who is most qualified to speak at the festival. 30% of the decision process is by public vote, and thousands of submissions are currently under consideration.

Follow these simple steps to cast your votes:

Step 1: Create an account on the SXSW PanelPicker

Step 2: Cast your votes NOW by giving your favorite panels a “thumbs up”

Step 3: Add a thoughtful comment below each panel – this weighs heavily in the vote

TIP: anyone can vote for SXSW panels – so consider sharing these steps with broader groups of friends, family and professional networks. Voting ends September 4.

Lastly, here are my panel submissions – I appreciate your vote!

  • The Game Invasion
  • Magnifying the Moment of Engagement
  • Digital Dynasty: an Empire of Innovation