SXSW MEDIA KIT
#ChicagoSXSW
ABOUT
Kanye’s first gig didn’t sell out the United Center.
Groupon wasn’t worth billions the day it was
founded. Ferris Bueller wasn’t always the world’s
most famous truant. From humble beginnings —
it’s how every great story starts in Chicago. The
ground floor may be where we get on, but we
don't stay there long. What's born in a garage, on
a workbench, or with a camera phone ends up
bigger than life.
“From music to movies to the
latest tech companies,
Chicago is home to the best
and brightest in the industry.”
-
Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel.
This is where Pitchfork & Lollapalooza crank it to
11; where a new startup is taking hold every day;
where movie moguls & indie film makers
produce blockbusters & cult classics; where
achievements made in food-culture, architecture,
art, and design are endlessly inspiring.
Whether you come to be a maker or to meet the
makers, one thing's certain: Chicago is where
greatness is made.
www.ChicagoMade.us
SPONSORED BY
MUSIC
“A Music Omnivore’s Paradise”
LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL

With more than 225 music venues, 15 citywide festivals, and 47 neighborhood festivals, Chicago is one of America’s best
cities for live music no matter the time of year.

The likes of Lollapalooza Music Festival, North Coast Music Festival, Wavefront Music Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival,
Riotfest, Spring Awakening, The Hideout’s Block Party, and The Chosen Few Picnic make Chicago a premier music
festival city.
MUSICALLY DIVERSE

From Hip-Hop (Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco) to Rock and Roll (Smashing Pumpkins, Wilco), to House Music
(Frankie Knuckles, Derrick Carter) to Classical (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Eighth Blackbird), to the Blues (Buddy
Guy, Lonnie Brooks) to Jazz (Orbert Davis, Dee Alexander, Ken Vandermark) to Soul (Jennifer Hudson, R. Kelly),
Chicago is home to the most diverse pool of musical talent in the world.
WE’VE GOT HISTORY


House and Gospel music were founded in Chicago.
Chicago style Jazz and the Blues developed as a result of African Americans from the South making their way to Chicago during what was known as “The Great Migration”. The African Americans settled in the historic south-side Chicago
neighborhood of Bronzeville.
“THE BIZ” THRIVES HERE

Chicago is home to some of the most successful businesses in the music industry today
including: The Windish Agency, Billions, Monterrey, Flower Booking, Music Dealers,
Pitchfork, Bloodshot Records, Thrill Jockey Records, Alligator Records, Touch and Go
Records, Drag City, A.V. Club, Sound Opinions and Jam Productions.
FILM / TV
“The Film and Television Industries are Booming in Chicago”
SETTING RECORDS YEAR AFTER YEAR

2013 was another record year for the Chicago Film industry with a 20 percent increase in production activity including a
total of 2,198 filming days. 2012 set the previous record with nearly 40 percent growth over 2011.
ON THE BIG SCREEN

2013 productions include: Divergent, Jupiter Ascending and Transformers 4.

Some of your favorite movies filmed in Chicago include: The Dark Knight, Transformers 3, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,
Public Enemies, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Untouchables, High Fidelity, Home Alone, Stranger than Fiction,
The Fugitive and The Blues Brothers.

Illinois offers an aggressive 30% Film Tax Credit. Please contact us for more information www.film.illinois.gov
STELLAR STUDIOS IN THE BIG CITY

Chicago is home to some production studios that you may have heard of before including: Harpo, Cinespace, Chicago
Studio City, Optimus, Kartemquin, Method Studios, Essanay Studios, Odd Machine, Protein, Kurtis Productions and
Big Shoulders.

Cinespace Studios recently announced plans to become the largest studio complex in the world.
TV LAND

Chicago attracts hundreds of commercials and photo shoots each year that are
produced for both national and international clients.

Chicago is home to some of the most successful television series productions including:
Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Crisis, Mind Games, Betrayal, Sirens, Boss, Mob Doctor, ER,
The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Steve Harvey Show.
BUSINESS / TECH
“Chicago is North America’s Global Business Center”
IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL

Chicago is home to the best connected airport in the U.S. with 2,900 flights per day and Non-stop service to more than
200 destinations around the world.

At the center of one of the largest trading areas in the world: the east-west nexus joining the markets of Europe and Asia
and the north-south nexus of NAFTA.

The hub of railroad and shipping traffic in the U.S.

Virtually every major fiber optic network interconnects in Chicago, making the city an information hub as well.

4th in the World’s Most Economically Powerful Cities - The Atlantic Cities
START-UP CITY

Startup incubators and accelerators, along with a new generation of mentorship and venture capital pumping through the
business veins of Chicago, are allowing the city’s tech startups to thrive, and feeding a new generation of talent.

By the end of 2013 a new startup was launching every 24 hours in Chicago.

“Chicago’s Startup Scene is on Fire.” - Forbes
WHERE LIFE WORKS

Chicago’s low cost of living for a major U.S. city + cultural & recreational options =
excellent value for the city’s world-class workforce.

More than 150 area colleges & universities confer 145k degrees annually.
CULTURAL TOURISM
“You Can’t Get Bored in Chicago”
VISITATION GOALS

Increase annual visitation to 55 million visitors as set forth by Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Book 2.3 million hotel room nights and 50 new groups annually

Elevate Chicago to among the top five U.S. cities for inbound international travel by 2020
THE CULTURAL TRAVELER

Cultural travelers present a significant opportunity for Chicago to meet and potentially exceed its goal of 55 million visitors
by 2020

76% of Leisure Travelers participate in a cultural or heritage activity

Cultural Travelers spend 61% more per trip than non-cultural leisure travelers and take one more trip per year on average
OUR BEST ASSETS

500+ city parks

15 citywide music festivals

26 miles of lakefront

47 neighborhood music festivals

369 historic landmarks

35 neighborhood food festivals

220+ dance companies

10 downtown cultural parades

200+ theater companies

22 neighborhood cultural parades

225+ music venues

56 neighborhood museums & organizations

77 distinct neighborhoods
SCHEDULE OF SXSW EVENTS
TRADE SHOW BOOTH at the Austin Convention Center | Exhibit Hall 4
Sunday, March 9th - Wednesday, March 12th
Meet, mingle with and see exclusive performances by Chicago’s Makers - FULL SCHEDULE
VIP EVENT (INVITE ONLY) at The Chicago House
Tuesday, March 11th | 5pm—7pm
With music by: The Hood Internet and White Mystery DJs
SXSW MUSIC SHOWCASE at Red 7
Tuesday, March 11th | 8pm—2am
Hosted by: Hologram Kizzie aka Psalm One
Featuring Performances by: Chance the Rapper,
The Hood Internet, The Autumn Defense,
Archie Powell & the Exports, My Gold Mask,
Bonzie, ShowYouSuck, and Prob Cause.
For more information, please visit:
ChicagoMade.us
#ChicagoSXSW
Download Logos / Poster Art
For press inquiries:
Michael Samm | [email protected]