Texas Archives - Taylor Scott Nelson

Marketing Jam MegaMixer: A Night of Good Vibes and Even Better Connections

March 20, 2025 No Comments

On March 20th, I had the chance to attend the Marketing Jam MegaMixer at Haute Spot’s private recording studio, and let me tell you—it was a great time! Hosted by some of Austin’s top marketing and communications organizations, the event was the perfect mix of networking, music, and just all-around good vibes. Whether you’re into marketing, PR, UX, or just connecting with creative people, this event had something for everyone.

From the get-go, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your typical stiff, awkward networking event. The whole vibe was relaxed and welcoming, making it easy to dive into conversations with people from all kinds of professional backgrounds. The venue, Spectra Studios in Cedar Park, had a laid-back atmosphere that set the tone for the night. No suits and ties here—just people enjoying great food, drinks, and a fun environment while they mingled.

One of the best parts was getting to connect with folks from AMA Austin, Club Ichi, PRSA Austin, AAF Austin, Austin Content, Austin UXPA, Women Communicators of Austin, and Ad 2 Austin. It was amazing to meet so many talented people across different sectors of marketing and communications, all in one place. Whether we were chatting about the latest marketing trends or how industry technology is evolving, the conversations were super engaging and insightful. It really reminded me of how interconnected all of these fields are and how valuable it is to learn from each other.

General, Texas

“All Things Food” – Food Tank at SXSW 2025: Day 2 Recap

March 14, 2025 No Comments

The second day of the Food Tank conference at SXSW 2025 continued the momentum from Day 1, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, and advocates to discuss the future of food sustainability, agriculture, and nutrition. Held once again at the scenic Barr Mansion in Austin, TX, the event provided a deep dive into critical topics, from organic farming to food justice. Below is a recap of the most insightful discussions and key takeaways from Day 2.

Welcome Remarks

Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank, opened the second day of the conference by emphasizing the importance of sustainable food systems and the role of collaboration in addressing global food challenges. She highlighted the growing consumer interest in organic and regenerative agriculture, setting the stage for the day’s discussions. Watch her remarks here.

General, Texas

“All Things Food” – Food Tank at SXSW 2025: Day 1 Recap

March 13, 2025 No Comments

This year’s Food Tank conference at SXSW took place on March 13-14 at the beautiful Barr Mansion in Austin, TX. As a returning attendee from 2024, I was eager to dive into the discussions shaping the future of food, sustainability, and nutrition. Food Tank consistently brings together thought leaders, industry experts, and changemakers to explore how food impacts our health, communities, and environment. The event fosters critical conversations about how we produce, distribute, and consume food in a way that supports both people and the planet. Below is my recap of Day 1, which was filled with insightful panels, inspiring speakers, and thought-provoking conversations that left me feeling energized for the future of sustainable food systems.

Welcome Remarks

The event opened with a powerful address from Dr. Melva K. Wallace, President of Huston-Tillotson University. She set the stage with some punny jokes and by emphasizing the importance of equitable access to nutritious food and the role of community-driven solutions in tackling food insecurity. Dr. Wallace highlighted the interconnectedness of food, health, and socioeconomic status, reminding attendees that systemic change requires both grassroots efforts and policy-driven initiatives. Her remarks underscored the significance of partnerships between educational institutions, nonprofits, and policymakers in advancing food justice. It was an inspiring start to the conference, reinforcing why discussions like these are crucial in addressing the disparities in our food systems. Watch her remarks here.

General, Texas

Exploring the Future: My Experience at SXSW Industry Day 2025

March 12, 2025 No Comments

Attending SXSW Industry Day on March 12, 2025, was an inspiring journey into the future of art, technology, and innovation. This free event, designed to connect professionals across industries, provided a deep dive into groundbreaking ideas shaping our world. While it didn’t quite match the scale and excitement of previous SXSW experiences, it was still a valuable opportunity to explore emerging trends, network, and get a taste of cutting-edge innovations.

Exterior of the Convention Center for SXSW

Can Immersive Art Save Planet Earth?

My day kicked off with the panel discussion, Can Immersive Art Save Planet Earth? This session explored how various forms of expression—physical art installations, documentaries, and interactive experiences—are being leveraged to inspire environmental action. A major highlight of the discussion was the Black Hole activation, an immersive exhibit designed to provoke thought about sustainability and climate change.

While I didn’t experience the Black Hole activation firsthand due to the long wait time, I heard plenty of positive feedback from others who went through it. Attendees described it as a visually stunning, interactive journey that blended art, sound, and storytelling to create an emotional connection to environmental issues. The panelists emphasized how experiences like these can make climate concerns feel more personal and urgent, proving that art isn’t just for aesthetics—it’s a catalyst for activism.

Can Immersive Art Save Planet Earth? Panel

General, Professional, Texas

Networking in Austin: My Experience & Insights

February 15, 2025 No Comments

Navigating the Networking Scene in Austin, Texas

Networking has been a cornerstone of my professional and social life in Austin. The city is buzzing with opportunities to meet people from various industries, and over the past several months, I’ve had the chance to attend a wide range of networking events. Each one provided a unique experience, valuable connections, and insights into making a networking event successful (or not!).

Diverse Events, Unique Experiences

One of the networking events I attended was the Austin Remote Workers Meetup on July 25 at The Brewtorium. This event brought together professionals working in remote and hybrid settings, offering a great space to discuss productivity hacks, work-life balance, and career growth in a digital-first world.

General, Professional, Rotator, Texas

Taylor’s Professional Career Track

February 1, 2025 No Comments

I’ve had a very interesting roller-coaster of a career track, and wouldn’t want it any other way. I began my marketing career at a boutique automotive firm and then worked my way up to larger communications agencies. While I learned and my skills grew, I felt like there was still something missing. Passion. So I took a step back from a traditional path to find it. Through environmental education and adventures in sustainability, I found a career track I’m passionate about using my seasoned marketing skills.

The list below starts with my most recent job and goes back in sequence below:

Design Workshop, Inc.

After my experience in the waste resource management industry, I joined Design Workshop – a national landscape architecture and urban planning firm with projects across the world. In fact, Design Workshop was the same design firm who developed the initial plans for the Southwestern Medical District Urban Streetscape Master Plan legacy project for the Texas Trees Foundation – of which I was intimately familiar with that project and Design Workshop’s graphic work.

I joined the firm as a Marketing Coordinator, who’s primary responsibility was managing project proposal submissions and supporting business development for the Austin studio and Texas region.

See more about my experience here: Marketing Coordinator Role at Design Workshop

Austin Studio cross-office working session.