FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Christopherson, Director of Marketing/Film Commissioner
817-709-7601 or jessicachristopherson@fortworth.com  
Sarah Covington Asst. Director of PR
817-730-5022 or sarahcovington@fortworth.com
 

FORT WORTH GOES BIG AT SXSW 2018
Innovation, Creativity and Technology

FORT WORTH, Texas (January 22, 2018) –From flying taxis to the science of whiskey, flight simulators, music and film, Fort Worth will be showcased in a bold, new way at the SXSW on March 13-14, 2018, reflecting the city’s growth in innovation and creativity.

Branded “Fort Worth Now,” the event at Fair Market Austin will be produced by High Beam Productions.

The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB), Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce (FWCC), the City of Fort Worth, Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, Hillwood Properties, Niles City Sound, Firestone & Robertson Whiskey, Hear Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Film Commission are partnering to present the first-ever two-day Fort Worth activation at SXSW on March 13-14.

The partnership is being branded as Fort Worth Now and sets out to showcase how the city is moving forward in business, innovation, arts, music and film. The Fort Worth activation dates overlap with SXSW film, music and interactive tracks and the new SXSW Cities Summit. 

The activation will include official SXSW panels, special events, interactive art from Fort Worth photographer Rambo, day parties featuring local musicians, a Fort Worth makers market and innovative exhibits from Bell Helicopter and Lockheed Martin. Fort Worth Now will be the third public display of Bell Helicopter’s new interactive urban air taxi simulator. The simulator debuted last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.  

 “It’s an exciting time to live here, do business and visit,” said Bob Jameson, FWCVB president and CEO. “Our community has so many exciting new things to share and SXSW is the perfect platform to start telling the next chapter of the Fort Worth Story to an international audience.”

The FWCC, FWCVB and City of Fort Worth are all in the process of launching major new strategic plans.

“The timing for a huge activation like this couldn’t be more perfect,” said Brandom Gengelbach, FWCC executive VP of economic development. “The opportunity to come together and market the City under one umbrella is going to help us all move Fort Worth forward and create more opportunities to work cohesively in the future.”

Fort Worth Now will kick-off with a 15K bike ride on March 13 led by Mayor Price starting at Mellow Johnny’s Austin and ending at Fair Market. Confirmed musicians include Bonnie Bishop, the Texas Gentlemen, Quaker City Night Hawks, Grady Spencer and the Work and Abraham Alexander, with more to be announced soon.

Official SXSW panels at Fort Worth Now include representatives from Hillwood, Bell Helicopter, Facebook, Niles City Sound, Perot Jain, the City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth filmmakers James Johnston and Red Sanders. 

For more information on Fort Worth Now at SXSW, please visit www.FortWorth.com/NOW.  Information will be updated as additional musicians are confirmed. To watch the Fort Worth Now promo video featuring music from Quaker City Night Hawks, please click here.

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The FWCVB is the official destination marketing organization of the 16th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of culture and commerce. Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth is a destination with a rich Western heritage and a dedication to urban renewal. The city is home to the famed Stockyards Historic District, the lively downtown Sundance Square and a renowned Cultural District complete with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and the Kimbell Art Museum. For more information, visit www.FortWorth.com.