SYDNEY, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Australia's most populous city of Sydney has secured a bid to host a 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, marking the first time the culture and tech event would be hosted outside the United States.
The New South Wales (NSW) government announced the successful bid on Thursday. The event would bring the world's top thinkers, creators, and tech to the city while also providing a major magnet for tourism.
"Sydney will be abuzz with opportunities to attend over 1,000 sessions, screenings and performances, activations and parties across the city," read the announcement from Destination NSW.
In previous years, the event has attracted speakers from former U.S. president Barack Obama, to world-renowned director Steven Spielberg, and pop icon Lady Gaga.
SXSW Sydney would become an annual instalment of the event for Asia-Pacific region, marking its first exit from the U.S. after being established in Austin, Texas in 1987.
NSW tourism minister Stuart Ayres said the event would cement Sydney as a leader in tech innovation and as a site for major international events.
"SXSW Sydney will provide significant benefits for the NSW visitor economy, with unparalleled networking opportunities to advance our tech and creative industries," said Ayres.
"Sydney is the ideal city to serve as a home for the cross-collaboration that exists within the many industries we bring together," added CEO and Co-Founder of SXSW Roland Swenson.
Destination NSW has opened up applications for domestic companies and talent to register their interest in the event that would take place in October of 2023. ■