1. What is the difference in a Registrant Badge and a Trade Show Worker Pass?

A Registrant Badge provides full conference access while a Trade Show Worker Pass only allows entry to the SXSW Trade Show during set-up/breakdown and operational hours. For more info about credentials and how they relate to hotel access, download the exhibitor credential help sheet.

2. What comes with my stand?

An expanded profile and logo on SXSW.com, a 35-word listing in each of the three SXSW Program Guides, two (2) Trade Show Worker Passes per 100 sq ft of space and one (1) Platinum Registration. Plus, receive access to select downtown hotel rooms held for sales clients with a conference registration. Stand workers without a conference registration may also have access to book rooms at SXSW hotels outside of the immediate downtown area.

3. How do I pay for my exhibit space?

After you have signed and returned your contract and invoice, you may call in with a credit card or send a check or money order. Contact your account executive for wire transfer details.

4. When will I receive my invoice and contract?

You can expect to receive it within two business days after booking with your account executive.

5. How do I get the order forms for the custom furnishings and services we'll need in our stand?

All order forms can be found in your exhibitor admin link which is distributed after your exhibition space is confirmed.

6. Is electricity provided with the stand?

No, although you may order electricity with the Austin Convention Center. Download the form to place your order. (Music Gear Expo form - Gaming Expo form)

7. Where do we get information on stand rules and regulations?

Stand rules and regulations can be found in your stand contract.

8. When can we set up our stands and how do we load in?

The Trade Show schedule is:
Load-In/Set-Up: Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 from 10:00am to 7:00pm & Sunday, March 10 from 8:00am to 10:00am.
Show Days/Hours: Sunday, March 10 through Tuesday, March 12 from 11:00am to 6:00pm and Wednesday, March 13 from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Load-Out/Tear-Down: Wednesday, March 13 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

A help sheet will be provided soon.

9. Can I hang a sign at my stand?

Only if you have purchased an end cap (peninsula) or island. Please refer to the 'Exhibit Design' section in your stand contract.

10. How do we get hotel rooms for our staff that won't have a Conference Registration?

After signed paperwork and payment have been received you will be emailed a web link and an authorization code that will allow you to request hotel rooms from a block of rooms reserved for sales clients. These hotel rooms will not be located in the immediate downtown area, however shuttles to and from the Austin Convention Center will be available.

11. How do we register our stand personnel?

If you purchased additional conference registrations with your stand, and after paperwork and payment have been received, you will be emailed a coupon code used to redeem your conference registration via the SXSW shopping cart. If you have purchased multiple registrations, a code will be sent for each.

12. How many complimentary conference registrations do we get?

Each Trade Show stand comes with one (1) Platinum Registration. Stands in the SXSW Gaming Expo get one (1) Interactive registration. Stands in the Music Gear Expo get one (1) Music registration.

13. When will we receive our conference registrations?

You may pick them up at the Client Help Desk located across from Badge Pick-Up in Exhibit Hall 1 of the Austin Convention Center at any time during registration hours.

14. What's my stand number?

Stand assignments will be emailed to you in February. Stand numbers are NOT needed to place orders with any of the Trade Show vendors.

15. What is the Cancellation Policy?

Refunds will not be issued to exhibitors for any cancellations at any time. Refer to the 'Refund Policy' section in your stand contract for additional details.

16. What is the Exhibitor Admin Link for?

Each Trade Show stand comes with an expanded listing on SXSW.com and a 35-word profile in the SXSW Program Guides. The Exhibitor Admin Link is where you confirm contact information and input your business profile to be published. It is also where you will find the authorization code for requesting hotel rooms and optional tools for promoting your business at SXSW. Order forms and service menus from show vendors are also accessible via the Exhibitor Admin Link.

17. How can I promote my company's participation in the Trade Show?

Most important, complete your profile for sxsw.com. Print advertising in SXSWORLD and the Program Guides is a proven means of promotion. An account executive can suggest additional custom opportunities. You can also utililize SXSocial, a networking and scheduling service, to connect with other SXSW registrants. PR Newswire offers SXSW exhibitors special rates on their services (visit your admin link for details).

18. What is the Music Gear Expo?

The Music Gear Expo is a collection of the top gear manufacturers and distributors in the world. Visit the Music Gear Expo page for more details.

19. Where do I park?

There are two parking garages for the convention center. To view a map of these garages, click here

20. Who attends the trade show?

Professionals of all types in the music, film and interactive industries. View our demographics for more info.

21. Where can we get food and beverages in the trade show/convention center?

Food and beverage service can be found just outside the trade show exhibit hall on the Trinity St side of the building. You may serve food and beverage from your stand by placing an order with Levy. A menu can be found using the Exhibitor Admin Link.

22. What is the SXSW Block Party?

BLOCK PARTY is an event based on the ever-popular pub crawl. Participating exhibitors provide complimentary food and drinks at their trade show stand for registrants to enjoy. This creates a great advantage to making sure your stand is a key destination for attendees. Please contact your Account Executive to if you are interested in participating.

23. Are there any noise regulations in the trade show?

Yes. Live performances are limited to acoustic sets for a maximum of 15 minutes on an hourly basis. An environment appropriate for conducting business must be maintained and any exhibitor in violation of acceptable sound levels is subject to disconnection of power, termination of stand space and loss of SXSW credentials without refund. Please see your stand contract for more details.

23. Can I set up a wireless network in the Trade Show?

No. When numerous wireless networks are set up in the show, the spectrums that carry wifi become overcrowded, particularly the 2.4 ghz spectrum. SXSW places significant investments in a wifi infrastructure throughout the Austin Convention Center that can support thousands of connections free of charge. Look for the SSID that is specific to the Trade Show. Hard-wired networks are permitted and can be ordered from the Convention Utilities Services via the Exhibitor Admin Link.