Shantel
Key Takeaways:
- SXSW Sydney, the Australian iteration of the globally renowned South by Southwest (SXSW®), is set to premiere this October.
- High-profile speakers confirmed include Coachella CEO Paul Tollett, Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson, fashion icon Tan France, and futurist and AI expert Amy Webb.
- Over 1,000 events, speakers, and music acts will be part of the festival, including 300+ panels and sessions on cutting-edge topics.
- The festival aims to promote creative industries and act as an incubator for bold and innovative ideas.
About South by Southwest (SXSW®)
Originally conceived in Austin, Texas, SXSW has carved a unique niche for itself over its 37-year history. Known for being a launchpad for new and emerging trends, SXSW brings together musicians, film and TV personalities, game designers, and technologists in a creative melting pot of innovation. The festival is not just a celebration of creativity but also a place where groundbreaking ideas are born.
This once-a-year event is now expanding its horizons with a second annual gathering, this time in Sydney, Australia, thereby bringing the creative platform to the Asia-Pacific region.
The Vision Behind SXSW Sydney: Bringing the Creative Hub to the Asia-Pacific
SXSW Sydney is being organized with a vision to transform Sydney into a creative hub and provide a significant boost to the local arts, culture, and creative industries. John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, remarked, “South By Southwest (SXSW®) is known globally as a key incubator of bold and exciting ideas. The NSW Government is currently in conversation with the creative community to develop the state’s first arts, cultural and creative industries policy.”
A Powerhouse of Renowned Speakers and Leaders
The inaugural SXSW Sydney will feature 1,000+ events, speakers, and music acts, and the event promises an impressive line-up of headline speakers. These speakers represent the foundational pillars of the event: Music, with legendary festival CEO Paul Tollet; Tech, with visionary Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson; and Screen with beloved television star Tan France.
A Wide Array of Themes and Topics
Over 300 panels and sessions will discuss various forward-looking themes, including the future of lab-grown meat, AI fluency, and Big Tech transparency, among others. The festival aims to keep attendees at the forefront of trends, innovations, and breakthrough ideas.
A Stellar Line-up of Performers
SXSW Sydney 2023 is set to host performances by 400 artists, including emerging talents from the USA, Australia, the UK, South Korea, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
A Groundbreaking Cultural Experience
The SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels, reflects on the upcoming festival: “Never before have this many entrepreneurs, artists, futurists, innovators, and titans of every industry all been in Sydney at one time. As we pull together over 1,000 events and experiences, our team are still searching for a poster big enough to reveal it all.” He added, “After 19 visits to SXSW in Austin over the years, I can’t wait to see what we think of as ‘the United Nations of the creative industries’ here in Sydney.”
Prominent Brands Making a Mark
The event is set to feature partnerships with prominent brands, including Accenture, Accor, Defender, Seven, CommBank, Qantas, and many others, indicating a broad-based and diverse set of collaborations.
The inaugural SXSW Sydney offers an unmissable opportunity for global creative minds to converge, collaborate, and unleash groundbreaking ideas in the Asia-Pacific region. For more details on this landmark event, click HERE.
