Here we have answers to frequently asked questions about the SXSW Interactive Festival.

See the SXSW Interactive 2012 online schedule and mobile app.

The Basics of SXSW Interactive

1. What is the SXSW Interactive Festival?

An incubator of cutting-edge technologies, the SXSW Interactive Festival offers five days of captivating keynote presentations, panel sessions, book readings, meetups, workshops and core conversations that provide hands-on training as well as big-picture analysis. In addition to the business opportunities at the Trade Show & Exhibition and the hands-on gaming fun at the ScreenBurn Arcade, SXSW Interactive provides an array of exciting evening events including the SXSW Interactive Awards Ceremony. More to the point, coming to SXSW Interactive is a great way to recharge your creativity.

2. How can I find out more about the different types of programming offered at the SXSW Interactive Festival?

Visit the Talks section of the website to see brief descriptions of the different types of sessions offered at SXSW Interactive. To see video excerpts from various 2011 sessions visit the SXSW YouTube Channel.

3. What are the dates for the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival?

The 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival will take place Friday, March 9 through Tuesday, March 13. Check back with the website throughout the year for information about other important dates. You can also subscribe to the SXSW Interactive monthly e-mail newsletter to keep up to date on all the latest news and important deadlines.

4. Where does the SXSW Interactive Festival occur?

The majority of our daytime panel programming, the SXSW Trade Show and the SXSW ScreenBurn Arcade take place at the Austin Convention Center located at 500 E. Cesar Chavez. Additional panel programming and special events also take place at the Hilton Austin Downtown, and various other campuses surrounding the Austin Convention Center.

5. How is SXSW Interactive different than other tech events?

The variety of programming offered at SXSW Interactive means that the event focuses as much on creativity as it does on technology. This focus is augmented by SXSW Film, which runs concurrently with SXSW Interactive and SXSW Music. Moreover, a full slate of parties and receptions during the evening hours help to accelerate the social aspect of the event.

6. What is SXSWeek?

Running Friday, March 9 through Sunday, March 18, 2012, SXSWeek is the ten-day stretch that encompasses the SXSW Interactive Festival, SXSW Film Conference and Festival and the SXSW Music and Media Conference.

Being Part of the 2012 Event

7. When can I register to attend the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival?

Online registration for the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival will begin with our website launch in early August 2011. Registering early is the best way to ensure accommodations in Austin during the event as the demand for hotels increases every year.

8. What does it mean to "register" for SXSW?

When you register to attend SXSW you are purchasing your admittance to the event. Your level of access to particular portions of the event (Interactive, Music, Film) is contingent on the type of registration you purchase: Interactive, Film, Music, Gold (Interactive and Film) or Platinum (all three events). Once you are registered to attend you will receive the appropriate Badge when you arrive at the Austin Convention Center. While you can also register on site, it is to your advantage to complete this process through our website BEFORE the event.

9. Can I buy a one-day pass to SXSW Interactive Festival?

Unfortunately, we do not sell single session or single day passes to the event. As compared to other technology events, the low registration price of the SXSW Interactive Festival makes for an extraordinary value. Even if you are only able to attend for one or two days, the amount of information and networking opportunities afforded by the event make the registration price a bargain.

10. As a SXSW Interactive registrant, am I able to attend SXSW Film and SXSW Music events?

The SXSW Interactive Festival badge covers admission to all events affiliated with SXSW Interactive. If you want to attend both SXSW Interactive and SXSW Film, then you should purchase a Gold badge. If you want to attend SXSW Interactive, SXSW Film and SXSW Music, then you should purchase a Platinum Badge. If you have already purchased a SXSW Interactive Badge and you wish to upgrade to Gold or Platinum, contact the registration department for pricing details.

11. Is there a student rate for SXSW Interactive?

If you are currently a high school or college student and you are interested in attending the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival, please contact us for information on discount rates. You must have a valid student ID to be eligible for reduced admission fee.

12. Who should I contact about my great idea for a panel at SXSW Interactive?

Proposals for the 2012 event were accepted via the PanelPicker interface June 20, 2011 through July 15, 2011. Monday, June 18, 2012 will be the first day to send in PanelPicker proposals for the 2013 SXSW Interactive Festival. Stay updated on all SXSW Interactive news, including important deadlines, by subscribing to the monthly SXSW Interactive e-mail newsletter.

13. How can I market my product or service at SXSW Interactive?

Getting your product or service in front of the cutting-edge crowd of digital creatives that attends SXSW Interactive is a great way to build buzz. We offer all sorts of opportunities for this -- from a booth at the Trade Show to advertising in the Program Book to hosting a party or reception. For information on all the available marketing opportunities, please contact Katie King.

14. Where can I go for help finding a hotel room for my stay in Austin during the festival?

When you register for SXSW via the website, you will be taken to a page where you can book lodging via the SXSW Housing Desk.

Details, Details, Details

15. Who attends this event?

SXSW Interactive appeals to uber-geeks and digital creatives who push the cutting edge of technological change. The event appeals to web developers, designers, bloggers, wireless innovators, content producers, programmers, inventors, tech and new media entrepreneurs, gamers and game developers, investors and educators. Even if you are not a technical person, you will benefit from the outside-the-box thinking that thrives at SXSW.

16. What kinds of topics are covered at the event?

Panel topics cover everything from web design, usability, and blogging to wireless innovation and new technology business models. Other panels focus on more general topics that are nonetheless relevant to the digital creatives who attend SXSW Interactive. Discovering new ideas that lead us to a better future is the underlying theme of all of this programming. Stay tuned to the Talks section of the website for information on 2012 sessions as they are added to the lineup.

17. How many people typically come to SXSW Interactive?

2011 was the biggest year yet for the SXSW Interactive festival. Numbers notwithstanding, the core of the SXSW Interactive experience remains unchanged. This is a great place to be inspired by amazing people who are doing incredible things to change the future.

18. What kind of people speak at SXSW Interactive?

Thousands of cutting-edge new media industry experts have spoken at SXSW Interactive over the last 17 years. Some of the bigger names to participate in the event include Mark Zuckerberg, Henry Jenkins, Steven Johnson, Frank Warren, Jane McGonigal, Heather Armstrong, Jaron Lanier, danah boyd, Stewart Brand, Po Bronson, Denise Caruso, Ana Marie Cox, Mark Cuban, Cory Doctorow, Thomas Dolby, Richard Florida, Al Franken, Malcolm Gladwell, Philip Glass, Molly Holzschlag, Craig Newmark, Steven Johnson, Jaron Lanier, Brenda Laurel, Dan Rather, Howard Rheingold, Todd Rundgren, Douglas Rushkoff, DJ Spooky, Bruce Sterling, James Suroweicki, Joe Trippi, Mena Trott, Jimmy Wales, Will Wright, and Jeffrey Zeldman, Tony Heish, Chris Anderson, Guy Kawasaki, Virginia Heffernan, James Powderly, Gary Vaynerchuk, Kathy Sierra, and Charlene Li.

19. What's new for 2012 at the SXSW Interactive Festival?

In 2012, look for improvements to many of our already popular programs, as well a few new surprises.

Startup Village: within the increasing growth of SXSW, the Startup Village offers a physical space where entrepreneurs and investors can meet in a more clearly-defined manner. This space will significantly enhance the attendee experience by increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of interactions between like-minded individuals within the SXSW event infrastructure. Programming at the Startup Village will consist of panels, pitch events, meet-ups, a lounge area, and Accelerator. The Startup Village runs March 9-13.

As always, stay tuned to the website or subscribe to the SXSW Interactive monthly e-mail newsletter, for all the latest news and developments.

History of SXSW Interactive

20. How long has this event been going on?

The SXSW Music Conference and Festival debuted in Austin in March 1987. The event now known as the SXSW Interactive Festival began in 1994 (at that point, it was called the SXSW Film and Multimedia Conference). Beginning in 1995, SXSW Film and Multimedia became their own unique and separate events. Four years later, the name Multimedia had morphed into Interactive. SXSW ScreenBurn, which is focused on video game technology, was added to the mix in 2006 and SXSW Accelerator came on board in 2009.

SXSW ScreenBurn Loves Games

21. What happens at SXSW ScreenBurn?

Registrants will have the opportunity to attend gaming-related panels as part of the SXSW Interactive Festival. The fifth annual ScreenBurn Arcade will enable consumers and game developers to preview the future of this industry, hear about soon-to-be-released titles, learn fascinating insights from thought-provoking experts, plus meet up-and-coming new talent whose innovations are powering the next generation of play.

22. How do I register to attend SXSW ScreenBurn?

Admission to attend the ScreenBurn at SXSW panels comes with your SXSW Interactive, Gold, or Platinum Badge. Admission to the ScreenBurn Arcade is free to the public.

23. What exactly is the ScreenBurn Arcade?

The ScreenBurn Arcade is an open platform of exhibitors and game tournaments. Free and open to the public, this space offers a hands-on environment for consumers, independents, developers, and soon to be masters of the game world. Come here to sample the newest game developments or other gaming-related innovations.

24. When and where does the ScreenBurn Arcade occur?

The ScreenBurn Arcade will take place at the Palmer Events Center during the SXSW Interactive Festival, March 9-11.

25. How does my company sign up to be represented in the ScreenBurn Arcade?

To exhibit your video game company at the ScreenBurn Arcade, contact Justin Burnham, SXSW ScreenBurn Account Executive.

SXSW Accelerator Loves Entrepreneurs

27. What is Startup Village?

Startup Village brings together the startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and cutting-edge digital tastemakers within the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival. Located primarily on the fourth floor of the Downtown Austin Hilton, this space showcases the various startup events at SXSW Interactive (including SXSW Accelerator, as well as startup-related panels, Meet Ups, lounges, pitch events and mentoring / coaching sessions).

A new addition to the 2012 schedule, Startup Village consolidates much of what already happens at SXSW Interactive into one location. Current and future entrepreneurs will benefit from learning and networking with investors, technology trailblazers, media representatives, as well as digital creatives from the three exciting industries that come to Austin for SXSW (Interactive, Music and Film). Startups are an important part of the world economy as well as an important element of SXSW Interactive–we are very excited about all that Startup Village will bring to the 2012 event.

28. My company has a great new product that we would like to demo at Accelerator. When does the submission process begin?

We will begin accepting Accelerator at SXSW entries in early August when the new 2012 SXSW website launches. Stay updated on all SXSW Interactive news, including important deadlines, by subscribing to the monthly SXSW Interactive e-mail newsletter.

Evening Fun at SXSW

29. What happens at these evening events?

Look for an extensive schedule of evening events geared to allow attendees to share the new ideas that they learned during the daytime programming. The informal nature of these evening events also make them conducive to forming new connections or just relaxing with people whose energy will inspire you.

30. Can I attend these evening events without buying a registration?

All official evening events are restricted to SXSW Interactive, Gold and Platinum badge holders. Check out individual party or event listings for more information.

31. I think my company might want to host a party. How do I do this?

Contact Katie King for complete details on how to have an official evening event.

Contacting SXSW

32. Help, I am still confused about SXSW Interactive. Can you give me more info?

Email us with your questions and we can direct you to the appropriate person to provide the answer.

33. Wow, I've got a great idea on how to make SXSW Interactive better. What do I do?

Email us with all your ideas and brainstorms. We're all ears!

34. What are SXSW's accommodations for the disabled?

You can find information on all of SXSW's accommodations for the disabled at http://sxsw.com/about/accessibility