Registration FAQ

All of our materials, both printed and on the web, clearly state in multiple places that all purchases are non-refundable- see refund policy below. If you cannot attend the conference this year, you may transfer your registration to another person for SXSW 2010 only.

To transfer a registration, please log into your SXSW shopping cart. After logging in, follow the link at the bottom of the page- "transfer a registration to someone else". A list of registrations in your shopping cart will appear. Further instructions will be included in the transfer application. If you purchased a ticket to the Four Seasons Welcome Dinner or merchandise at the time of registering, your dinner or merchandise will be transferred to the new registrant. There is no deadline for a registration transfer.

There is a $100 non refundable transfer fee.

PLEASE READ! SXSW, Inc., at its sole discretion, may cancel or refuse registrations/applications/purchases from any individual or company at any time. By clicking on the “Purchase Now” button or authorizing payment to SXSW in any form payor agrees to the following SXSW, Inc. policies: 1) payments are not refundable for any reason including, but not limited to, failure to use SXSW credentials due to illness, acts of God, travel-related problems, and loss of employment; 2) discounted prices are based on the date payment is received in the SXSW office; 3) unused registrations/applications have no monetary value and cannot be credited to future years or events; 4) badges are issued to individuals and can be picked up and used only by the individual named; 5) a $100 processing fee will be assessed to change the name on a registration; 6) conference registrations include a one-year subscription to SXSWorld Magazine valued at $20.

It is quickest and easiest to register online and pay by credit card. You will be able to book hotel accommodations through our housing department after registering. If you must pay by check, the form is available here (435.04 KB). To pay by purchase order or wire transfer, you must be a publicly held international corporation, government agency, state agency, or educational institution. Due to long bank transaction times, SXSW will no longer be accepting wire transfers after March 1st. Your registration must be paid in full to take advantage of the discounted rates. You may also register onsite at the Austin Convention Center the week of SXSW.

You should register for SXSW as soon as you have made a definite decision to attend. Those participants who are able to make a commitment to attend at an early date will receive discounted registration fees and have the best chance at getting their preferred hotel accommodations. Make sure you have made the necessary arrangements required to attend before purchasing a registration because registration fees are nonrefundable. For the undecided, there is walk-up registration at the Austin Convention Center during the event.

You can expect an email confirmation within twenty-four hours. If mailing your registration and payment, please allow for appropriate mailing time. This confirmation is sent by email to the address provided on the registration form and will show that we received your payment and will include a receipt.

There are special registration procedures and fees for Trade Show Exhibitors. You should email your questions to a sales representative and someone will be in touch.

To register for SXSW today and to reserve housing accommodations, use a name such as Happy T. Dude1 and Happy T. Dude2 Jane Doe1 and Jane Doe2 Jo Doe1, Jo Doe2, and Jo Doe3

There is a $100 non-refundable processing fee to change names or transfer registrations. Be aware that if you use a fake name to hold a registration and housing accommodations, you will need to transfer that registration and replace the fake name with the individual who will be using it. To transfer a registration, please log into your SXSW shopping cart. After logging in, follow the link at the bottom of the page- "transfer a registration to someone else". A list of registrations in your shopping cart will appear. Further instructions will be included in the transfer application. There is no deadline for registration transfers.

The last day to be included in any of SXSW directories is February 12th 2010.

Check out the SXSW Schedule to see when activities kick off. Most registrants arrive the first day of registration (Thursday, March 11, 2010 for Film & Interactive or Tuesday, March 16, 2010 for Music). Some arrive earlier to enjoy Austin in the springtime. Interactive panels and Film Festival screenings begin Friday, March 12, 2010. Music panels and Music Fest showcases begin on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Austin Convention Center in Exhibit Hall 3. SXSW registrants should use the Convention Center entrance on Trinity St between 2nd St and 3rd St.

New Hours for 2010
*Updated October 10th 2009
Thursday March 11th 3pm-10pm
Friday March 12th 9am-9pm
Saturday March 13th 9am- 8pm
Sunday March 14th 9am-6pm
Monday March 15th 9am-6pm
Tuesday March 16th 9am-9pm
Wednesday March 17th 9am-Midnight
Thursday March 18th 9am-10pm
Friday March 19th 10am-9pm
Saturday March 20th 11am-4pm

Film and Interactive registration will be busy Friday March 12th- expect to wait in line. We’ll keep the wait as short as possible.

Registration is busiest (and the possibility of a long wait is greatest) the afternoon of Wednesday March 17, 2010. To avoid lines entirely consider picking up your Music badge a day early on Tuesday March 16, 2010.

To receive your 2010 SXSW Badge, you will be asked to wait in line, fill out a short form, and if you’re over the age of 15, present a government issued ID. Feel free to ask any volunteers or visit a Connection Center should you need assistance. While in line, keep an eye out for floor signage to insure you are in the correct line and guide you on your way to the registration area.

We will make scheduling information available closer to SXSW. Keep checking the official SXSW website for the latest information regarding scheduled events. It's the best source of information for all your planning needs. You also have access to a scheduling application via my.SXSW.

No, once a badge has been issued to you, we can’t reissue the badge to a different person.

After registering, you will gain access to a searchable directory via your my.SXSW account. You will pick up a printed directory at SXSW, along with your registrant bag.

Your receipt for your 2010 SXSW registration is included in your registration confirmation, as well as in your SXSW shopping cart. If you need a receipt for a previous SXSW, please email reg@sxsw.com.

Please allow twenty-four hours after receiving your registration confirmation for your my.SXSW login info to arrive. If you still haven’t received it, please email mysxsw@sxsw.com.

Some spam filters and gray listers may filter out automated communications. Please add the following email addresses to your spam filter's list of approved senders to be sure our messages reach you: webmaster@sxsw.com, reg@sxsw.com, housing@sxsw.com, sxsw at sxsw.com.

If you requested hotel accommodations, you will receive a separate email from our Housing Department. This confirmation will indicate your hotel reservation with the check-in and check-out dates. Please review the information carefully and let us know by email if changes are required (housing at sxsw.com).

To help ease your way into the SXSW madness, plan to attend this four-course welcome dinner on Wednesday March 17, 2010. SXSW Music & Platinum registrants will have a choice of entrees from the four menu options. Download a PDF of the menu here. (112.19 KB)

The Welcome Dinner offers you the first opportunity to begin networking -- so dress casually and enjoy the entertainment. Cash bar will begin at 6:30 pm with dinner at 7:00 pm. Check in at the registration table outside the Four Seasons Ballroom to receive your dinner ticket.

Advance registration and payment is required. The cost is $90 per person and only SXSW registrants (and Trade Show stand workers) can attend. Each registrant may buy one guest ticket.

The 24th annual South By Southwest Barbecue and Softball Tournament, the traditional closing social event of the SXSW week, runs from 12:30-5:30pm Sunday, March 21, at Monroe "Lefty" Krieg softball complex, about 10 minutes from downtown. Free for all SXSW Music and Platinum registrants!

Registrants can sign up to play in the SXSW Softball Tournament on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at the Convention Center, or just show up with your badge on Sunday for free barbecue and beer. Full info on the event is here.

The SXSW Golf Tournament takes place on Wednesday March 17th at the Lions Club. Under the direction of SXSW co-founder Louis Jay Meyers, the SXSW Golf Tournament has raised over $60,000 for various charities including the SIMS Foundation, AIDS Services of Austin, East Austin Optimist Club, Lone Star Musicians Foundation and others. The 2010 tournament is in its 21st year and has had over 2000 golfers participate. The SXSW Golf Tournament is open to all musicians and music and media professionals. Click here to download the sxsw golf 2010 entry.pdf (75.56 KB)

The SXSW and Dishola BBQ Crash Course is the kick off to SXSWeek. Open to Interactive, Film, Gold and Platinum registrants, the BBQ is the first of many networking events at SXSW. Mingle with pit-masters, experience some of Central Texas' finest BBQ, and get to know your fellow SXSW registrants!

The BBQ is on Thursday March 11th, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The BBQ is held at Emo's- a short, two block walk from the Austin Convention Center. The $35 ticket provides a plate of delicious BBQ and one drink ticket. Your name will be on a list at the door or you may bring your BBQ confirmation letter.

You may add your BBQ while registering online. If you've already registered, fill out the BBQ Crash Course form (93.99 KB) and fax it to 512-452-4775.

To upgrade your badge type please contact SXSW registration at reg@sxsw.com or (512)467-7979. We’ll need credit card information (credit card number, expiration date, and CVV number) to charge the upgrade. Please do not upgrade yourself by purchasing additional registrations via the SXSW shopping cart.

You can purchase a registration for someone else via our online shopping cart system. When providing the registrant's contact information, make sure to provide THE GIFT RECEIVER'S contact information (Name, Address, etc.). To help us keep the secret, put YOUR email address as the contact email. This way, you'll receive the confirmation and insure that the gift remains a surprise! After registering, contact reg@sxsw.com for a certificate to present to the receiver. After you've presented the certificate, the receiver will need to contact us at reg@sxsw.com to update their information. If you have any questions, please reg@sxsw.com.

A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a special kind of bar code that can be read by mobile phones and can contain a link to a website or other online information. We are going to use QR Codes to create a real life "follow me" button for my.SXSW on every badge. Along with your badge photo, you will have a square bar code to scan. When you meet someone at an event, let them scan your badge with their smart phone, and they will automatically be following you on my.SXSW, where they can message you or access your contact information. Hopefully, this will cut down on the paper footprint of SXSW by reducing the need for business cards. You can find more information on QR Codes at http://sxsw.com/qrcodes