SXSW Impact Estimated at $190 Million
SXSW conferences poured $190 million into the Austin economy, analysts found. Photo by KUT News.The economic impact of South by Southwest continued to grow in 2012.
An analysis released today by SXSW organizers found their five conferences and related events pumped $190 million into the Austin economy.
Ben Loftsgaarden is with Greyhill Advisors, which did the analysis. He says the 2012 haul is $23 million more than in 2011.
“If we look back historically it’s even a greater jump,” Loftsgaarden said. “So just within the last five years, South by Southwest’s total economic impact of $190 million represents a 100-percent increase over what it was five years ago.”
The number of badge holders for the music, film and interactive conferences in March was up more than 15 percent – with interactive seeing the biggest gains in attendance.
