Subject:
Title
Registration with SXSW, LLC for attendance at SXSW 2025 Conference, including indemnification provisions.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of the Registration with SXSW, LLC for attendance at SXSW 2025 Conference (SXSW), including indemnification provisions.
• Attendance at SXSW provided the CVB’s Brand Activations team significant professional development opportunities with educational tracks that are dedicated to brands and marketing, sports, experiential storytelling and more.
• SXSW, LLC would not agree to remove indemnification provisions.
• County Attorney has reviewed to ensure contract meets indemnification waiver criteria set forth in paragraph three of Resolution No. 06-70.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
Smart Service Delivery
4.5 Develop and retain a highly skilled and efficient workforce
Summary:
The Registration with SXSW, LLC provided professional development opportunities for four CVB Brand Activations’ staff to attend SXSW 2025 from March 7-10, 2025. Having multiple staff attend allowed the team to participate in simultaneous educational and networking sessions and cover the conference and festivals more adequately, which wouldn’t otherwise be possible, due to the size of the event. SXSW took place from March 7-15, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Attendance at this event is necessary to meet the marketing goals of the CVB since it represents a significant learning opportunity for these staff members who will use the inspiration and knowledge gained and apply it toward promoting the CVB’s brand at activations year-round.
Background/Explanation:
SXSW provides an opportunity for professionals at every level to participate, learn and network through educational tracks that are dedicated to brands and marketing, sports, experiential storytelling, and more. The conference showcases some of the world’s most inspired thinkers with new ideas in technology, film culture, music and marketing, offering key-note speakers, collaborative session formats and numerous programming track opportunities. In addition, the conference and surrounding events (exhibits and music festival) feature major brand activations providing CVB staff with first-hand exposure to these prominent brands.
Having multiple staff attend allowed employees the opportunity to participate in multiple educational and networking sessions simultaneously, which wouldn’t otherwise be possible due to the size of the conference and festivals. These staff members will use the inspiration and knowledge gained from SXSW and apply it toward promoting the CVB’s brand at activations year-round.
The CVB originally planned to send four employees to this conference, but one employee ended up having a conflict and wasn’t able to attend, which decreased the total cost.
Fiscal Impact:
Total Cost: $5,504.52 ($1,834.84 per employee)
Funding to support the SXSW 2025 Registration in the total amount of $5,504.52 is provided through the CVB’s Annual Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Department Director to sign this Registration was granted by the County Administrator under Resolution No. 06-70.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Registration
Supporting Documentation
Resolution No. 06-70