UKTI Announces Trade Mission to South by South West (SXSW) Interactive 2011
It's January, the days are short. The rain is lashing down. Yes, it's that time of year when digital folks minds drift towards Austin, Texas and the massive annual gathering that is South by South West Interactive.
Last year over saw over 14,000+ delegates from 54 countries attend 450 conference sessions and this year promises to be bigger than ever. Alongside the interactive conference, there's also SXSW Film and the legendary SXSW Music festival.
SXSW (or South-by to those in the know) has some form as a trend-setter, it's credited with helping Twitter really take-off. Ditto with FourSquare. What'll it be this year?
It's a unique experience, an a great opportunity for UK digital firms to meet the broadest possible audience from the US digital industry, and from across the globe. 300 Brits made the trip last year and there'll certainly be a large number heading West this time around.
Supporting these UK digital firms, UK Trade & Investment are organising a trade mission to SXSW, including:
- UKTI Masterclass - Learn about the US market, its drivers, how to get noticed and how to win business
- Great British Breakfast - Accelerate your business growth by meeting and interacting with over 200 US and UK digital media companies, bloggers, media and investors at the Great British Breakfast
- Publicity - Promote your company and products to the attendees of SXSWi at the ‘Internet cafe style’ UKTI stand. Company listing in the SXSWi Directory and UKTI Mission Brochure
- Meetings - Develop relationships with other mission companies and benefit from the knowledge and expertise of professional UKTI business advisors
There are only a limited number of places that will be allocated through a competitive application process, on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't delay if you want to join the trip.
In order to qualify, companies need to be UK-based SMEs, active in the digital sector. Full information about the trip is available in the flyer below. To apply for this trip, just fill out the simple application form:
// Apply for UKTI Mission to SXSW Interactive 2011
Deadline: Tue, 1st Feb 2011
If you have any queries, drop an email to the logistics team: mission
chinwag [dot] com or call Fran on +44 (0)20 7183 2923.
Photo (cc) Sam Michel.
19 January 2011 by Sam Michel
Sam Michel is the founder of Chinwag and blogs here for work, and more randomly at Toodlepip. He runs Chinwag Jobs, Digital Mission and tends to focus on murky place where technology, community and marketing collide. You'll find him on twitter @toodlepip.
Sam Michel is the founder of Chinwag and blogs here for work, and more randomly at Toodlepip. He runs Chinwag Jobs, Digital Mission and tends to focus on murky place where technology, community and marketing collide. You'll find him on twitter @toodlepip.
Comments
Government Support
@Anonymous - I can't officially talk for UKTI, but they do support these trips by heavily subsidising the activities that take place, and the time that their staff in each of the countries spend putting the events together. The costs of each trip vary depending on what's planned, which organisations are involved and also from year-to-year.
This particular mission has changed a little with a new event - a breakfast roundtable session with key US industry speakers - and an even larger UK stand in the Expo, as well as the Masterclass, other events and publicity that companies participating will receive. There's also the option of a heavily-discounted SXSW pass that's been secured as part of the mission.
There's also the possibility of additional grants available on a regional level. As companies are selected for the mission, we're putting them in touch with their regional UKTI International Trade Advisor, who may be able to support them with a contribution towards travel & accommodation. UKTI in London have made 10 grants available and are trying to find more, although it's the end of the year, so inevitably budgets are tight. There may be additional support in other regions, too.
Hope that helps.
SXSW
Hi Chinwag,
What sort of assistance is offered? It seems like you pay the Govt £510 and don't get a ticket. Which strangely seems to be the opposite of 'support'? Thanks