DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
EHDC Update on SXSW 2016 Initiative
SUMMARY:
In order to address issues identified in the Forward San Antonio: Strategic Plan related to the City's skills gap, talent recruitment, and need for greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, the Economic Development Department (EDD) is partnering with Choose San Antonio (Choose SA), a non-profit dedicated to promoting San Antonio and developing wider national and global recognition of San Antonio's strengths and quality of life. As part of this partnership, Choose SA, the City, and various community partners, including Tech Bloc, the County, EDF, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and others, will participate in this year's SXSW Music, Film, & Interactive Festival in Austin, TX. The City is supporting the initiative through sponsorship support for a booth at the SXSW Trade Expo from Sunday, March 13 to Wednesday, March 16. Participation at SXSW is an effort by Choose SA to highlight the city's strengths and growing opportunities in order to attract talent, startups, and established and growing companies. EDD presented an initiative outline and funding request in late 2014 to this committee (then referred to as "ECDC") and received approval for funding support of the SXSW Initiative. This presentation is intended as an update to that meeting and an opportunity to present both Choose SA and the further refined concept to the committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
With an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, art, and culture, the annual SXSW Music, Film, and Interactive Festival in Austin attracts an audience looking for new, cutting edge technology, innovative ideas, and places and spaces for opportunity and growth. The 10-day festival and its 4-day Trade Expo offer an exceptional opportunity for San Antonio to present itself in a way that illustrates and emphasize...
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