DutchToday: The Netherlands unpacks at SXSW 2014.

South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences and Festivals is the one of the world’s most important events in the field of technology, music and film and takes place annually in Austin, Texas. The Dutch creative sector gathers on this occasion under one flag: DutchToday.

SXSW is taking place this year from 7 March to 16 March. The festival is the meeting place for creators, distributors and investors from around the world and is seen as a source of inspiration and innovation for the field. The event is visited annually by more than 60.000 visitors from 100 countries. More than 2.000 artists from more than 50 countries participate and perform during SXSW.

The Netherlands, land of start-up culture and spirit of innovation.
The Dutch government has earmarked the creative sector as one of the top sectors in view of its current strong position and scope for growth. As for other top sectors, the Dutch government has set up a top team, comprising a scientist, a senior official, an innovative SME entrepreneur and a standard bearer for the sector, which advises businesses, scientists and the government on measures to address challenges in the sector.

The TopTeam Creative Industry has chosen SXSW as a strategic fair for the Netherlands. A coalition of Dutch organisations from the music sector, the creative industry and businesses, in collaboration with the organizers of SXSW, has compiled a Dutch programme presented under the name DutchToday. The programme emphasizes the start-up culture and the spirit of innovation, for which the Netherlands is famous.

The Netherlands is present on various locations during SXSW with showcases and presentations, including Daan Roosegaarde, Alexander Klöpping and VANMOOF. More than 15 Dutch bands and DJ’s will perform, including Mister and Mississippi, Mozes & the Firstborn, Traumahelicopter, Tom Trago and Antal.

Further information
Dutch press release, 21 February 2014: DutchToday: Nederland groots vertegenwoordigd op toonaangevende beurs SXSW2014 (PDF)
Complete programme DutchToday at dutchtoday.org
SXSW 2014 website: sxsw.com
Top sector of the Dutch government: the creative industry - presentation in English