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
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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 | msamm@choosechicago.com