SXSW Recap: 2012 event coverage

During SXSW in 2012, official events resulted in a $190.3 million boost to the Austin economy, an increase of about $23 million compared with 2011, according to a study by Greyhill Advisors, an economic analysis and development consulting firm that has offices in Austin. The events' official participants increased by 15 percent to 302,700, and festival attendance expenditures generated $116.6 million of the $190 million economic impact. Ninety percent of the $116.6 million was nonlocal spending, according to Greyhill Advisors partner Ben Loftsgaarden.

SXSW 101: How SXSW programs its conferences

Among the biggest draws at SXSW are the panel discussions, which take place throughout downtown Austin and cover hundreds of topics. To choose worthy topics for 2012, SXSW solicited panel suggestions worldwide in 2011. There were 3,231 proposals for SXSW Interactive, 176 for SXSW Film and 333 for SXSW Music. SXSW posted the ideas online and allowed Internet users to vote for their favorites through its PanelPicker program, while SXSW's staff and advisory board also participated in programming selection.

Springsteen to SXSW musicians: 'Open your ears and open your hearts'

"The Boss," Bruce Springsteen, offered SXSW's Music keynote speech, and started it off by commending Austin on its capability to merge various types of music from regions and genres. "It's incredible to be back. I've had a lot of fun in Austin since the '70s," Springsteen said. "It's fascinating to see what's become of the music that I've loved my whole life."

2012 brings changes in SXSW festival permitting process

Venues holding SXSW events were subject in 2012 to more stringent sound ordinances than in the past. In previous years, the city required no deadline to obtain permits, though multiday permits required a 14-day notification period. Under a new policy, venues in 2012 were required to submit sound permit applications 21 days prior to the event for 24-hour permits and 30 days prior for multiday permits.

SXSWedu looks to gain steam

While SXSW draws huge crowds and celebrities that flock to the Interactive, Film and Music portions of the event, SXSWedu—the newest part of the conference—hoped in 2012 to gain similar influence as leaders in education and technology assembled to discuss the current state of education throughout the nation.

Festival adds more venues, activities to March lineup

SXSW in 2012 brought its four festivals—Education, Interactive, Film and Music—to a slew of venues throughout downtown Austin. The festival, which first began in 1987, has grown so much that Interactive Director Hugh Forrest said organizers have attempted to increase badge prices to help control the growing number of attendees for its now largest festival, Interactive.

SXSW Interactive 2012, Day 1

A slideshow of the SXSW Interactive conference in 2012

For 2013 coverage, visit our SXSW page.