Part convention, part party, SXSW (South by Southwest) helps give Austin, Texas, its reputation as a fun town. SXSW hosts festivals, conferences, and tradeshows for music, film, and interactive markets.

It showcases new movies, the next techie trends, and a smorgasbord of bands, attracting industry professionals, artists, journalists, and fans alike.

Major recording and film studios send executives on the look out for new talent (and a good time).

The festival showcases about 1,500 musical acts, screens nearly 200 films, and hosts about 6,000 interactive conference registrants.

SXSW began as a music festival in 1987; the Film Conference and Interactive Festival debuted in 1994.