The World Comes to Austin for SXSW(R)
SXSW is not a local or national conference anymore. It is an international conference. 25% of the total attendees to SXSW 2018 were from 101 countries outside of U.S. That number is expected to rise this year.
How do you meet all these amazing people from abroad? Below are some of the panels and activities put together by these countries and individuals.
A SXSW badge is needed for some events but not all. Clicking through on the links to RSVP is always a good idea for smoother entry if they know you’re coming!
The British Invasion
The Brits are one of the largest foreign delegations to SXSW each year. Well over 2,000 make the trek. For over a decade. They keep coming back and bringing more people and events than ever.
UK Immersive Pitch & Demo
Time: Monday , March 10, 2:00 P.M — 5:00P.M
Location: Voltron, Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St.
Details: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-immersive-pitch-demo-at-sxsw-2019-tickets-56650631564
Do the worlds of VR, AR, and XR peak your interest? If so, then this is an event you cannot miss during SXSW. The UK’s top immersive content creators will be at Capital Factory all afternoon engaging in business-focused lightning talks, XR prototype demonstrations, networking and cocktails.
British Underground
Time: Saturday, March 9— Tuesday, March 12
Location: Multiple locations
Details: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/British-Underground-and-Art-Council-England-announce-2019-Future-Art-and-Culture-program-at-SXSW.html?soid=1102243211937&aid=f1sfryzjJes
If public art displays, mixed reality, and virtual reality around the convergence of creative innovation and technology is your thing then the British Underground is your room. They are partnering with the Royal Shakespeare Companies, BBC VR, Algorave, Magic Leap, Imaginarium Studios and many more to create new immersive experiences.
The British Music Embassy
Time: Monday, March 11— Saturday, March 16
Location: Latitude 30, 512 San Jacinto Blvd
Details: https://prsformusic.com/press/2019/the-british-music-embassy-returns-to-sxsw-2019
This is the granddaddy of them all. The first activation a country did officially at SXSW. Now in its 12th edition. It is the home of the British Delegation during SXSW.
Deutschland
Germany is an economic powerhouse and the 4th largest economy in the world. They bring that prowess on full display to SXSW along with food and beer.
German Haus
Time: Saturday, March 9 — Thursday, March 15
Location: Graeber House, 410 East 6th Street | Seven Grand, 405 East 7th Street
Details: https://german-haus.com/germany-at-sxsw-2018 (It is the 2019 scheduled)
Want to know exactly what they are engineering in Germany from smart cities to the future work. The German Haus has all the answers for you along with great German music acts.
Berlin Saloon
Time: Thursday, March 7 — Sunday, March 10
Location: Buffalo Billiards
Details: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/berlinsaloon-sxsw-2019-18555941671
Berlin is not Germany and Germany is not Berlin. The city plays by its own rules. Learn what makes Berlin Berlin at the their Saloon on Sixth Street.
Ilha Formosa!
“Beautiful Island” is what the Portuguese called Taiwan when they reached its shores. Taiwan is bringing its tech talent and mandarin pop to SXSW 2019.
#STARTUPROCKS TEXAS
Time: Wednesday, March 13 , 3:00 P.M — 5:00P.M
Location: Capital Factory
Details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/startuprocks-texas-tickets-57072286746?aff=aff0eventful
Taiwan and Austin startups are coming together for a one-of-a-kind event at Capital Factory. On display will be Taiwanese and local Austin up-and-coming startups and their cutting-edge technologies, ranging from Ad Tech, to next-gen E-Wallet platforms, to Real Estate Tech.
Taiwan Beats
Time: Wednesday, March 13
Location: Capital Factory
Details: https://www.sxsw.com/artist/taiwan-beats-2/
Mandarin Pop… I did not know that was a music genre. Taiwan is the epicenter and they have a great lineup of acts.
New Dutch Wave
Time: Saturday, March 9 — Wednesday,March 13
Location: Edwin’s Sport Bar, 700 East 6th Street
Details: https://www.newdutchwave.com/sxsw2019/
The Dutch are working on some of the most challenging issues of our time. They design some of the best products in the world. Maybe it is because the Dutch always ask that crucial question: Why?
They are bringing that wave and thinking back to SXSW. Learn all about it at New Dutch Wave.
The North comes to SXSW
House of Scandinavia
Time: Thursday, March 7— Wednesday, March 13
Location: The Fareground, 111 Congress
Details: https://scandinaviantraveler.com/en/houseofscandinavia
Scandinavia arrived as a collective force to SXSW 2018. They’ve returned with an even bigger activation this year. Amazing panels during the day, mouth watering food at night, and a visit by royalty. They have programming going through all of SXSW.
The Land Down Under
Australia House
Time: Sunday, March 10 — Friday, March 15
Location: Lucille Patio Lounge, 77 Rainey St
Details: http://www.gdayusa.org/sxsw
Australia is about 80% the size of the continental US. That is a lot of country to get to know and perfect place to start is the Australia House. They have a powerhouse delegation of 85 startups, 50 musical acts, and 20 events across SXSW.
Bluestone Lane Café is also going to be serving delicious coffee in the morning.
New Zealand at SXSW
Time: Thursday, March 14
Location: The Parish
Details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-zealand-sxsw-2019-tickets-57361608114
The Kiwi’s are back with an amazing lineup of bands. Please note that no promise has been made of actual kiwis being present at the event.
Our Neighbor Above
Canada House
Time: Monday, March 10 — Thursday, March 14
Location: Bungalow, 92 Rainey Street
Details: https://rdvcanada.ca/en/festivals/sxsw-2019/
OHHHH…. Canada. Canada House is back from Montreal to Vancouver and everywhere in between. They are bringing the frigid weather along as well, or so I hear. Canada House will go from March 10th to March 13th. Each day is taken over by a region or city in Canada. You can visit the whole country in just one week SXSW.
Our Neighbor Next Door
Casa México
Time: Friday, March 8 — Saturday, March 10
Location: Multiple
Details: http://casamexicosxsw.com.mx/en/index.html
Mexico, our dear neighbor to the south, is not getting as much love as it should nowadays. Mexico is experiencing a creative and film boom. Mexican filmmakers and creatives have dominated in the past 5 years.
Mingle with our southern friends at their place, Casa México, to find out why. They also have tequila, mezcal, and cervezas.
China Gathering
Time: Friday, March 8 — Thursday, March 14
Location: Multiple Locations
Details: https://www.chinagathering.com/2019eng-1
China is now one the world’s innovation engines. China has moved mountains when it comes to innovation, and has fostered an unparalleled technology ecosystem. All of that is on display at the China Gathering.
EUROPA
EU @ SXSW
Time: Friday, March 8 — Monday, March 11
Location: The Palm Door on Sixth, 508 E 6th St
Details: https://euinaustin.org/
Celebrate the best of European innovation — connecting the digital, technology and creative industries to policy. They’re showcasing Europe’s most dynamic and forward thinking startups, thought leaders, and artists who can attest that transatlantic cooperation on policy issues breeds great results. This is Europe on the cutting edge.
In addition to the region as a whole, featured countries this year include France, Finland and Portugal.
Land of the Rising Sun
The New Japan Islands
Time: Sunday, March 9
Location: 800 Congress Ave.
Details: https://schedule.sxsw.com/2019/events/OE38254
Japan is back at SXSW with The New Japan Islands. They are also one of the largest delegations that attend SXSW and they are bringing all of Japan along. Parade Floats, Wagyu Beef, J-Pop, Haikus, Ramen, Sake, Sushi, Pachinko Machines, Karaoke !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honorary Foreign Country
Time: Friday, March 8 — Tuesday, March 12
Location: The Refinery, 612 Brazos St
Details: http://michiganhouse.org/
It’s a place that everyone has heard of but not nearly enough have been: Michigan. Back for the 5th year with an even larger activation, the Great Lakes State kicks off as a super cool stop on the Friday evening SXSW Startup Crawl , then keeps on rolling with Mobility Day Saturday, Innovation Day Sunday, plus music, food, and jobs, jobs, jobs.
City State
Time: Friday, March 8 — Saturday, March 9
Location: Bungalow, 92 Rainey St.
Details: https://www.fortworth.com/sxsw/
Punching way above their weight, the mighty city of Fort Worth brings it’s A-game to town for the 2nd year. Join a bike ride with their Mayor, take flight with the future of air travel, dig into the food, and feel the music.
Innovation at the Convention Center
Time: Sunday, March 10 — Wednesday, March 13
Location: Trade Show — Exhibit Hall 4 — International Innovation Platforms
Details: https://www.sxsw.com/exhibitions/trade-show/
Not all countries have houses but many will be present at the SXSW Trade Show as well as be featured atNot all countries have houses but they will be present at the trade show and the International Innovation Platform.
March 10th Sunday
France Innovation Hour
Spain Innovation Hour
Ireland Innovation Hour
Netherlands Innovation Hour
March 11th Monday
Brasil Innovation Hour
Poland Innovation Hour
Argentina Innovation Hour
March 12th Tuesday
Thailand Innovation Hour
Japan Innovation Hour
