While the presence of big name headliners and breakout technologies drive a lot of exposure around SXSW, it's still the face time among speakers, exhibitors, and attendees from different industries that drives the event's success.
By partnering with South by Southwest for the first time, Marriott is targeting a new audience that it coins "experience seekers," while also adding a certain cachet to its loyalty program.
After years of talk and conjecture about event app customization and beacon technology, the 2016 SXSW GO app seems positioned to deliver on those expectations.
The travel junket is expanding outside of the usual blogger circles with Amtrak tapping an even more influential set of social media users. The company's quick response to social suggestions is creating a new and unexpected marketing opportunity.
An opportunity to schmooze with buzzy travel startups, or if you do it right, learn how every topic discussed at SXSW from technology to marketing impacts the tourism business.
Nascent travel startups look to Hipmunk’s 2011 win in the innovative technology sector as a sign that getting a SXSW pat on the back is clear path to success, but in reality, it’s a small victory among the many obstacles.