For years, Seattle techies have trekked to Austin to participate in the SXSW music, film and interactive conference. But why hop on a plane to Texas when you can showcase cool stuff right here? That’s the idea behind the Seattle Interactive Conference, which will take place at the Washington State Convention Center on November 2nd and 3rd.

Organizers have big ambitions for the 2-day event, a first-of-its-kind showcase with a planned attendance of more than 3,000 people. Scheduled speakers include Paul Berry, chief technology officer of The Huffington Post, Rand Fishkin, founder of SEOMoz, and Jamie Monberg, chief experience officer for Hornall Anderson.

But it won’t just be geeky pursuits. The conference will feature a “Battle of the Geek Bands” and a salute to Pearl Jam on their 20th anniversary.

Of course, it is impossible to replicate the success of SXSW overnight and the organizers of the event are hoping to carve their own path with the SIC. But Brian Rauschenbach, the curator of the event and a principal in the interactive media agency Add Three, said it is time for Seattle to step up and create a signature event.

“The time for an event like SIC is right, as it’s no secret that the Seattle area is home to many of the world’s most respected technology companies, along with a bevy of online startups and entrepreneurs who are having a profound impact on the national and global technology scene,” he said.

Editor’s note: GeekWire is proud to be a media sponsor of the inaugural Seattle Interactive Conference, and we’ll be participating in panels and other activities at the event.