SXSW in Austin is a 10-day conference, festival, networking event, and exhibition all in one! This rousing event is held annually in Austin, TX and is geared toward creative career professionals. With an event this big you’ll want to plan and strategize your visit (you can’t see everything) so we’ve pulled together some of the key things you need to know about SXSW Austin.
The conference portion of SXSW has some amazing featured sessions, breakout speakers, and keynote speakers. Here is an overview of the standout keynote speakers and times that they will be taking the stage throughout SXSW.
Janelle Monáe | March 15, 2-3 pm
Janelle Monåe is a superstar with singer, songwriter, activist, performer, actress (the list goes on and on) accreditations.
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross & Damon Lindelof | March 16, 2-3 pm
Award-winning composers, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, will take the stage with Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer Damon Lindelof to talk on the collaboration of HBO series Watchmen.
Gabo Arora | March 17, 11 am – 12 pm
Gabo is an artist and professor at Johns Hopkins University and the Founding Director of the ISET (Immersive Storytelling and Emerging Technologies) department.
Erin Lee Carr | March 14, 11 am – 12 pm
Writer, director, and producer, Erin Lee Carr takes the stage to discuss how to make a must-see documentary.
Lulu Wang | March 15, 11 am – 12 pm
Lulu is an up-and-coming writer and filmmaker to look out for, with an incredible knack for storytelling.
Diplo | March 17, 12:30-1:30 pm
Producer, artist, and DJ, Diplo, has collaborated with some of today’s hottest artists like Sia, Beyoncé, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and more.
St. Vincent & Carrie Brownstein | March 21, 11 am – 12 pm
St. Vincent (Annie Clark), Grammy Award-winning artist, and Carrie Brownstein, writer, director, and musician take the stage together at SXSW.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, Jon Korngold, and Gayle King | March 13, 2-3 pm
Gayle King hosts a conversation with Whitney Wolfe Herd, Founder and CEO of Bumble, and Jon Korngold, Global Head of Growth Equity at Blackstone.
The film festival has a variety of showings from short films to documentaries. Here are some of the headliners you won’t want to miss:
This year’s SXSW Music Festival showcases 2,000 performers from around the world. The festival takes place over the course of a week (March 16-22) with performances all over downtown Austin including bars, hotels, parks, etc. For more information on when and where showcasing artists perform, visit the SXSW 2020 Showcasing Artist Lineup.
The comedy festival is another great showcase opportunity for up-and-coming comedians looking to enhance their careers. SXSW Comedy Festival takes place from March 13-21, stay tuned for the comedic lineup.
Check out some of the world’s top poster artists at the Flatstock 73 exhibition. Get lost in color and vibrancy as you explore the different styles in which each poster was produced. You can even purchase posters hanging within the exhibit.
Here you will find some of the world’s most unique games by developers and manufacturers exhibiting in this showcase. Get up-close-and-personal as you interact, play, and test out the different game experiences at the expo.
At the SXSW Trade Show, you will find endless rows of booths dedicated to the creative industry. Explore creative start-ups, art colleges, new products, and more! Take a look at the exhibitors at this year’s SXSW.
Looking for cool merch? Stop by the SXSW Marketplace for original and cool merchandise from all around the world. Marketplace exhibitors include Bade Collection, Hide & Hunter, Oh So Sweet Scrubs, Trendy and Tipsy, and so many others!
Immerse yourself in the art installations presented by The LEGO Group. Attendees can expect to be inspired through a visual and experiential environment each installation provides.
Find out what’s good for your mind, body, and soul during the 2-day wellness expo. The SXSW Expo is comprised of over 150 exhibitors showcasing health food, supplements, wellness services, and more.
With an event like SXSW you’ll want somewhere comfortable that feels like home during this 10-day event, even if you’re only staying a couple of days. InTown Extended Stay is one of the hotels near the Austin Convention Center that is one of the most convenient and affordable options! Be sure to check out our rates in March.