A Standout Year at SXSW
I have very fond memories of days spent at the South by Southwest conference. Back in March 2018, after just four days on the job as editor of Fast Company, I flew down to Austin to experience my first-ever Fast Company Grill. A few years later, when Mansueto Ventures launched Inc. Founders House, I watched the SXSW community warmly embrace a new space programmed especially for entrepreneurs. (My personal ties to SXSW date back to the mid-1990s, when friends and I used to attend the original music festival, and I have the plastic wristbands to prove it.)
So, it gives me great pride to share that the Grill and Founders House were two of the most talked-about activations at last month’s SXSW conference. They featured boldface names from business, sports, and entertainment; showcased dozens of paid and in-kind sponsors; and hosted thousands of new and returning fans of Inc. and Fast Company—with lines queuing around the block to get in each day.
Founders House and the Grill are amazing manifestations of our editorial brands that show our ability to convene audiences, rally our communities, leverage our recognition programs, and drive revenue. Our activations drew more than 5,000 unique visitors and generated hundreds of new subscribers, whose paid subscriptions procured them expedited access to Founders House and the Grill.
Events like these play a key role in strengthening our relationships with our community. Impact Council, Executive Board, and Leadership Forum rolls continue to grow in part because members value the special experiences and access we offer at these events—like the exclusive Impact Council dinner with Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan and the Leadership Forum dinner hosted by Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman. Nearly 600 leaders whose companies have made the Inc. 5000 list registered for Founders House.
Our team served 2,800 meals, distributed 340 books, and hosted “In Good Company,” the Grill’s first-ever daylong special event in partnership with Texas A&M University.
Each sponsor executed high-impact programming and immersive experiences that elevated the events. We’re grateful to Adobe, Bristol Myers Squibb, Capital One Business, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Lifeway Foods, the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA), PwC, and Solo Stove for sponsoring the Fast Company Grill. We thank Capital One Business, Evelyn & Bobbie, GS1 US, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Insperity, and SolComms for sponsoring Inc. Founders House.
SXSW is truly a whole-company effort. At a time when many media brands are fighting for visibility and relevance, the size of the crowds, the caliber of the speakers and sponsors, and the amazing feedback we have received continue to show the impact of our brands in business and beyond.
I’m also happy to report that this year I was able to sneak away for an hour for Noah Kahan’s secret show at SXSW, and, yes, I have the wristband to prove it.