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The massive stimulus packages used by governments around the world to head off the financial crisis seem to be working their magic, with a light smattering of positive economic stories.

But what are the opportunities for digital SMEs? How does a small firm take advantage of the opportunities of global trade? A series of 12 free workshops across the UK will help firms understand the opportunities as well as provide insight on how to take advantage of them.

March 2010 might still seem a distant dream, but the organiser's of South by South West interactive (SXSWi to its friends) are already cracking on with preparations for the conference line-up with the opening of their Panel Picker.

This year sees over three times as many panels from the British digital industry, with over 60 panels, up from 18 last year, making it to SXSWi's Panel Picker where the public get to rate and comment on the panels being put forward.

The public feedback is designed to help organisers refine presentations and panels, and makes up 30% of decision-making progress.

Below is the comprehensive list (add comments if we've missed any) of panels submitted by the Brits. Good luck to all those in the Panel Picker machine...

Twitter is dominating social media-related headlines in the same way Facebook did last year, but a report by Chubby Brain for Sun Startup Essentials pegs investment in Twitter-related start-ups at a touch over $23m in 11 different companies, including the UK’s own Tweetdeck. The data was collated at the end of June so doesn’t include £100k raised by political tweetmongers, Tweetminister.

There are many reasons why the strategic use of social media can advance your career, building your reputation, garnering links with key contacts amongst others.

PRESS RELEASE: London, UK, Thursday 23rd July 2009

UK Trade & Investment partners with Chinwag to offer UK digital companies grants for key overseas tradeshows in the USA and China

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) have appointed Chinwag, the digital community for digital media companies, to deliver grants for UK-based digital SMEs wanting to exhibit at key overseas tradeshows.

The grants, part of the UKTI's Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP), offer funding to support digital SMEs exhibit as part of UK pavilions at eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit and ad:tech Beijing, two of the most influential interactive conferences in the global digital calendar.

Chinwag have worked closely with the event organisers to create 'credit-crunch busting' packages that will provide companies with prominent expo booths, marketing support and conference passes at these high profile events. The successful digital SMEs will be featured in the specially created UK Pavilion, ensuring a prominent position and maximising business development opportunities.

The first event is eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit in Washington D.C 21-23rd October 2009 to, with space for up to 8 companies.

This is followed by ad:tech Beijing, 16-19 November 2009.  Up to 12 companies will be able to exhibit at the leading marketing show in China, perhaps even fitting in a little bit of sightseeing along the way.