SXSW will kick off with illuminating opening remarks from Kasley Killam—renowned social health expert and award-winning author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. A trailblazer in the field, Killam will ignite the conversation on the power of social health and set the stage for a week of ground-breaking discussions and authentic connections. Get ready to preview a future where social health takes the lead, transforming industries and society.

The post Meredith Whittaker, Pedro Pascal, Issa Rae, Ben Lamm, Joe Manganiello & More Join SXSW 2025 appeared first on SXSW.

South by Southwest is widely recognized as an early career hot spot for professional development. Don't miss your chance to develop a network that spans across the globe.

Need assistance making the case to your boss to send you to SXSW this March? We've put together a few tips and an email template to help you convince your boss to fund your SXSW journey.

Step 1: Choose Your Badge

Not sure which badge is right for you, or when to arrive? We’ve got your back. Use our SXSW Badge Quiz as your guide to the best badge and dates for you and your company’s needs. Review the SXSW Timeline for a visual overview of event programming dates.

Step 2: Add It Up

Once you know your badge type and dates, it’s time to crunch the numbers. Current badge prices can be found here, and your team can save even more with our group rates. Use your arrival date to find out an estimate for hotels using our SXSW hotel availability page. Check out our transportation options, and remember most SXSW venues are a short walk or ride from one another.

Step 3: Send The Email

Now to tie it all together. We’ve created a pre-filled email for you. Make sure to fill out the empty fields, and give it a close read before sending it off.

Hi [insert name here],

I’d like to discuss attending the 2025 SXSW Conference and Festivals from March [enter dates here] in Austin, Texas. Thousands of global creatives come together at SXSW for discovery, learning, and networking across the tech, film & tv, and music industries. A SXSW [Platinum, Interactive, Film & TV, Music] Badge will give me access to [remove those which don’t apply]:

- Insightful Keynotes and Featured Sessions from industry experts
- In-depth panels covering a wide range of topics across 24 tracks
- Mentor Sessions offering one-on-one coaching by industry professionals
- Networking opportunities to establish meaningful and lasting connections
- Workshops aimed at fostering professional skill enhancement
- Countless opportunities to discover “what’s next”

Attending SXSW will aid my professional growth, and I will be able to share valuable takeaways and insights with our entire team. The Conference tracks that I’m specifically interested in are:

- [Track 1]
- [Track 2]
- [Track 3]

I have estimated how much attendance costs:

- Travel: [Cost of Airfare/Travel]
- Lodging: [Cost of Hotel]
- Event Registration: [Cost for Badge]

If I register now, I can save the company money off the walk-up rate and have access to the best available hotel rates. SXSW also offers Group Registration rates for teams of 10 or more if we send a larger team. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to discussing this further.

Sincerely,
[insert name here]

Download Template

Need more help convincing? Hear what others have to say about SXSW.

Good luck and we hope to see you at SXSW 2025!

Discover Additional Discounts

Recent college graduates can unlock the Early Career discount - access 40% off your badge during your first year out of school, and 30% off throughout your second year in the professional world.

Plus, attend as a group to access exclusive group rates for each badge!

See You at SXSW 2025

Register today to lock in the lowest badge rates and best hotel options for March 7-15, 2025 in downtown Austin.

Sign up for SXSW email updates, check out the News feed, watch videos, and follow us on Bluesky, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date information.

Register Now

SXSW Attendees – Photo by Keira Lindgren

The post Convince Your Boss to Send You to SXSW 2025 appeared first on SXSW.

Join us for an exclusive look at the unimaginable potential of quantum computing from March 12-13. During two full days of dedicated quantum-related programming, explore its rapid growth and tech industry impact. Bonus, this quantum content seamlessly aligns with our Artificial Intelligence track (March 9-13), creating a can't-miss opportunity to explore both game-changing technologies in one power-packed week.

The post Expanded Quantum Programming Coming to SXSW 2025 appeared first on SXSW.

Returning for a second year to SXSW, the multi-day Foresight Master Class from the Future Today Institute will provide skills to unlock the incredible superpower of peering into the future of tech trends.

Over the course of four days at SXSW 2025, the Future Today Institute (FTI) will adapt its proprietary Foresight Master Class offerings into a six-session continuing education course, including elective course options to choose your own adventure. Attendees will learn FTI’s methodology and at the end be able to say they have basic foresight skills. SXSW registrants who attend two of the three Core classes and one Elective class will receive a certificate from FTI and SXSW credentialing their participation in Foresight Master Classes.

The post Future Today Institute’s Multi-day Foresight Master Class Returns to SXSW 2025 appeared first on SXSW.

We are pleased to introduce the following cutting-edge startups taking the 2025 SXSW Pitch stage this March.

View a complete list of the 2025 Finalists with bios, including Alternates, on the SXSW Pitch page.

Congrats to all of the finalists! We look forward to seeing y'all in March.

The post SXSW 2025 Pitch Finalists & Alternates Announced appeared first on SXSW.

As the year comes to a close, don’t let significant marketing opportunities slip away. Head into the new year with exciting experiences to look forward to at SXSW 2025. From exhibitions and activations to simply attending with your peers, the value of SXSW is sure to give you more bang for your buck. Let's explore how to maximize your budget at SXSW!

Save BIG with Group Discounts

Gather a group of colleagues or friends to encourage group purchasing outside of a business setting, and take a break from the digital meetings to connect with your colleagues in a more authentic way. Bring your team of 10 or more to SXSW and foster stronger team-building. Enjoy Conference sessions and Keynotes, Music Festival showcases, Film & TV Festival screenings, and world-class exhibitions, while strengthening collaboration and unity through a shared, unforgettable experience.

Connect with different teams from across the globe and learn about ways they solve problems and spark creativity. Wrangle your group together and reinforce the importance of interactiveness by sharing takeaways, resources, and tips. You still have time to close out your quarterly budget on professional development with a fantastic deal! Register your team now and take advantage of Group Registration rates before they increase in the new year.

Become a SXSW Expo Exhibitor

Mindfully curated, the SXSW Expo displays brands, services, and products that will take attendees into the 22nd century and beyond. Swap business cards with industry leaders in technology, entertainment, design, social good, health + wellness, and more. Some of the world’s biggest pathfinders and playmakers in each of these industries make up the foundation of the SXSW Expo and entice tens of thousands of people to the show floor year-after-year.

This is your chance to meet hundreds of global exhibitors under one roof to ignite passions, collaborate, and share groundbreaking discoveries. Contact us to get started and lock in your booth space on the expo floor.

Encourage Meaningful Networking with Lounges & Activations

Provide an inviting and relaxing environment for attendees to connect with your brand in a personalized setting. With an official SXSW Lounge, registrants can network with each other while engaging with your activation and ambassadors in a meaningful way. Place your brand throughout high-traffic areas for attendees to interact with and enjoy.

• Registrant Lounge Activation - The SXSW Registrant Lounge is the go-to space for attendees to maximize their experience, offering daily complimentary drinks, food, and sponsor swag.
• Artist Lounge Activation - Activating in the Artist Lounge puts your brand directly in front of the talented musicians and management who make the SXSW Music Festival unforgettable.
• Networking Lounge Daily Takeover - Located in the highly anticipated SXSW Expo, engage with attendees eager to connect in the Networking Lounge.

Make the most of your Q4 budget with unforgettable brand awareness and involvement during SXSW. Join us at the largest stage for creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders before it’s too late. Looking to curate a unique experience? Reach out to get the ball rolling for the new year!

Photos from top: SXSW 2024 Atmosphere by Tico Mendoza; SXSW 2024 Creative Industries Expo by Oscar Moreno; and SXSW 2024 Registration Lounge by David Brendan Hall

The post Make your Q4 Budget Count at SXSW appeared first on SXSW.