The comprehensive report marks the ninth consecutive study for the massive happening, which turned 29 last March. Last year’s study reported $315.3 million in total economic impact brought by SXSW 2014.
“SXSW is a testament to the creative and collaborative culture that has become synonymous with Austin,” said Michael W. Rollins, CCE, President of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. “It remains a key economic driver that supports our local economy and innovation community well after the main event concludes.”
Through SXSW’s 13 days of industry conferences — including a four-day trade show, eight exhibitions, a six-night music festival with more than 2,275 bands and a nine-day film festival with more than 400 screenings — conference and festival participants totaled 139,525, including all registrants and single admission ticket holders.
As well, SXSW Consumer Event participants defined as “guest pass holders” at free-to-the-public events such as the three-night Outdoor Stage concerts at Lady Bird Lake attracted an additional 171,200 participants.
The event continues to be Austin’s single most profitable event for the hospitality industry. In 2015, SXSW directly booked 13,300 individual hotel reservations totaling 60,254 room nights and the average length of hotel bookings reached five nights, marking an all-time high.