World Business Chicago, Choose Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Collaborate to Promote Chicago in Austin, Texas

World Business Chicago (WBC), in partnership with Choose Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), will collaborate for the third year on ChicagoMade, an initiative designed to increase awareness of Chicago as a global business and tourism destination. The group will return to South by Southwest (SXSW) to promote Chicago’s technology, music and film industries.

launched at SXSW in 2014 to promote Chicago’s creative industries and tech ecosystem,” said Wendi Taylor Nations, World Business Chicago Chief Marketing Officer. “Chicago’s presence at SXSW has connected us with new companies, helped us build stronger ties with existing Chicago companies and served as a platform for local companies to connect with investors and talent. Working with our partners to build these ties is vital to our economy’s continued growth.”

In previous years, ChicagoMade has generated national coverage of Chicago companies and artists in the U.S. and abroad. Connections made during SXSW events have led to a number of commitments from companies to keep or expand their presence in Chicago and countless new relationships between businesses, investors, new talent, artists and A&R representatives.

Momentum will continue in 2016. This year, ChicagoMade will include a networking event in collaboration with Chicago’s Sister City, Hamburg, Germany on March 14 and a ChicagoMade Music Showcase on March 17. The effort will educate SXSW attendees about Chicagoans who have made an indelible mark on their respective industries while living and working in Chicago.

The ChicagoMade networking event will offer meet-and-greets with Chicago Ambassadors — a “who’s who” from Chicago’s technology, music and film industries, along with featured music from a variety of Chicago’s rising and established musical acts and products from Chicago companies. It will take place at Downtown Burgers (503 E Cesar Chavez St. in Austin). The event will be open to all SXSW badge holders and all SXSW showcasing artist wristband holders from 12:00-8:00p.m.

“We are excited to once again make a lasting impression at SXSW in 2016,” said Melissa Cherry, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Cultural Tourism at Choose Chicago. “The Interactive event will serve as a space for our Chicago Ambassadors to meet with clients, mingle with guests, and will provide a platform to connect to an international audience and top talent.”

“Chicago is a music capital; it’s the birthplace of Gospel and House music, home of the Blues, and our indie rock and hip-hop scenes are exploding,” said Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “Further cultivating the city’s music scene is a top priority of the Chicago Cultural Plan and we aim to promote the city’s talented musicians, signature festivals and legendary venues to our best advantage to support our rich and diverse music community.”

The ChicagoMade Music  Showcase, open to all SXSW Music and Platinum Badge holders and SXSW music wristband holders, will take place on Thursday, March 17 from 8:00p.m.-2:00 a.m. at The Main, 610 East 6th St., Austin, TX (a live music venue located in Austin’s music district). The show will feature a homegrown lineup including Mick Jenkins, Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Phuture, Hawley, Saba and more to be announced. This event also features video mixing by VJ Giroscopio and will be hosted by hip-hop artist Psalm One a.k.a. Hologram Kizzie.

ChicagoMade’s website features the stories of notable Chicago “Makers” including Kickstarter co-founder Charles Adler; The Smashing Pumpkins Drummer and CEO of LiveOne Inc. Jimmy Chamberlin; Thrill Jockey Records Founder Bettina Richards; punk rocker, author and educator Martin Atkins; Rapper Mick Jenkins; Bucketfeet Founder and CEO Raaja Nemani; acid-house music inventor Phutureand rapper and philanthropist Che “Rhymefest” Smith, among others.

For more information visit: www.ChicagoMade.us. The official hashtag for ChicagoMade events at SXSW is #ChicagoMade.