Bill and I picked up our South by Southwest badges and guides over at the Austin Convention Center this afternoon. We breezed through registration, but tomorrow’s lines will be a different story.

In preparation for the onslaught of posters and advertisements, half of downtown is now covered with plastic wrap.

Numerous buildings are being transformed for the conference. The Vince Young Steakhouse has temporarily become the IBM Cognitive Studio. Even the outside of the building was repainted.

Once again this year, Samsung snagged the prime Micheladas Cantina location right across the street from the Convention Center.

With minor outside modifications, Flemings Steakhouse has been taken over by Google Play. I predict there will be some serious redecorating inside.

A ferris wheel promoting the Mr. Robot TV series now sits next to the Frost Bank building. Downtown is almost ready for the annual carnival known as South by Southwest!

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