Monday morning the South by Southwest economic impact report will be released.
Greyhill Advisors coordinated the study. The 2009 impact analysis is the third consecutive study to fully assess the economic impact of SXSW to the city.
Greyhill Advisors say more people than ever before came to the the festival last year.
“We came from Toronto because this is the place to be for independent music and signed artists, and it's a cultural hotbed right now for music,” said Curtis Santiago during last year’s festival.
“I don't think there's anything else anywhere in world that's like South by Southwest; not this kind of size,” added Sandi Thorn.
The crowds experienced nine straight days of music, conferences, trade shows, and films.
“It can get expensive, but you have to be careful about it. Last year we didn't spend a single dime last year. This year we're spending money. It's easy to go over board, but it's also very easy not to spend anything,” said Tyler Hughes.
There were more than 1900 artists and more than 330 screenings in 2009. When the festival rolls in, downtown hotels usually sell out.
The economic impact has been studied for several years already.
In 2007, Greyhill Advisors report that South by Southwest had about a $95 million impact.
In 2008, it went up $8 million from $95 million to $103 million.
The 2009 numbers come out a 10:30am on Monday along with 2010 festival information.
