SXSW 2016: Austin, Are You Ready?

SXSW 2016 in Austin Texas

The South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals are coming.

Celebrating its 30th year, SXSW 2016 is bound to be special.

From humble beginnings as an entertainment and music showcase that included panels, sessions and workshops, “South by,” as many local Austinites refer to it, has become a mecca for people all over the world.

As the city fills up, it’s important to think about the money that comes with the traffic jams.

According to the SXSW economic impact study, over $317 million dollars were infused into the local economy in 2015. Not bad for a two week event!

Will you be attending this year? Is your business, and your website, ready to attract the crowds?

First, let’s take a look at what the 30th SXSW look like.

Music continues to be a prominent feature of the event with large acts and newbies all vying for the attention of the badged and wrist banded hordes.

Film is a staple- you can hide out from the bright Texas sun for days watching independent and unique film. However, it’s the Interactive conferences and showcases that have become the bread and butter of this annual event.

Innovators flock to Austin to share their wares, ideas and technology, build relationships and invite the globe to participate in shaping the future.

SXSW brings all walks of life together.

Many other industry conferences have a narrow focus- if you’re in marketing, you find yourself in marketing conferences with other marketers.

Fashion? You spend your days interacting with others in your field. SXSW is special because it brings people from all walks of life together, with totally different interests and perspectives, where they can share and learn from one another.

Whether you’re a business mogul, hippie, film critic, music producer, tech enthusiast, starving musician, there’s a place for you at South by- right next to someone completely different than you are.

There is no doubt that SXSW has contributed to Austin’s continued success as one of the best places in the country to live and work.

Independent businesses thrive in Central Texas, start-ups abound and the creative juices freely flow.

If you’re looking for Weird, the Violet Crown still has an abundance. With events like South by Southwest just around the corner, make sure you are getting a piece of that 317 million dollar pie.

Now’s a great time to make sure your website is optimized and responsive.

If you really want to bring them in, talk to us about our search engine marketing campaign. We should all share in the success that is ATX.