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SXSW is Canceled

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Mar 9, 2020.

  1. Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply.

    SXSW has been canceled.

    The City of Austin has cancelled the March dates for SXSW and SXSW EDU. SXSW will faithfully follow the City’s directions.
    We are devastated to share this news with you. “The show must go on” is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.

    As recently as Wednesday, Austin Public Health stated that “there’s no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer.” However, this situation evolved rapidly, and we honor and respect the City of Austin’s decision. We are committed to do our part to help protect our staff, attendees, and fellow Austinites.

    We are exploring options to reschedule the event and are working to provide a virtual SXSW online experience as soon as possible for 2020 participants, starting with SXSW EDU. For our registrants, clients, and participants we will be in touch as soon as possible and will publish an FAQ.

    We understand the gravity of the situation for all the creatives who utilize SXSW to accelerate their careers; for the global businesses; and for Austin and the hundreds of small businesses – venues, theatres, vendors, production companies, service industry staff, and other partners that rely so heavily on the increased business that SXSW attracts.

    We will continue to work hard to bring you the unique events you love. Though it’s true that our March 2020 event will no longer take place in the way that we intended, we continue to strive toward our purpose – helping creative people achieve their goals.

     
  2. somethingliketj

    And that's why you always leave a note.

    I couldn't believe this when I read it this weekend. That's insane.
     
  3. domotime2

    Great Googly Moogly Supporter

    What a financial blow! But the consequences if even one person gets it not worth it
     
  4. Fucking Dustin

    Please click "like" Supporter

    There's a lot of talk that 2021 may be cancelled as well depending on how SXSW can recoup costs from 2020 due to the way details of the event were (or weren't) insured. (I am not a lawyer)

    Various places to donate to the service workers and artists and venues:
    Stand with Austin Fund

    South By South Best organized by T3 Thinktank

    Please post more if you find more
     
  5. Serenity Now

    deliver us from e-mail Supporter

    That's crazy. Even crazier that they either didn't have insurance to cover it or insurance for events like that does not exist. I know some people that work in the marathon industry and they are on the fence about cancelling events in April and/or May. However, they are not concerned with financial loss because their insurance covers the organization for situations like this believe it or not.
     
  6. janexo

    Regular

    'It's a case of holding your nerve': festivals face coronavirus insurance disaster

    I read this yesterday re: insurance for festivals. seems like most dont have anything to cover something like this
     
    Serenity Now likes this.