MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Businesses from throughout the Great Lakes State, including the U.P., are attending the 38th edition of the annual South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television and music.

The conference encourages the businesses to band together with state government leaders this week to help promote the Mitten State as a place to consider calling home, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC).

The MEDC said it and the state’s population growth effort Let’s Grow Michigan will join Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) and the state’s first-ever Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe to partner with 53 businesses and organizations to introduce the best digital gift “swag bag” in state history at the famed cultural festival that runs through March 16.

The MEDC said exclusive deals and discounts will be offered to visitors attending Michigan-hosted events at SXSW and are designed to inspire the hundreds of thousands of conference attendees expected to arrive in Austin to consider Michigan as their next destination to explore, experience and envision as their new place to launch a career, start a business and call home.

Michigan has presented gift bags to attendees at previous SXSW conferences, but the number of businesses participating in this year’s offering surpasses any prior distribution, MEDC officials said.

“Michigan is the birthplace of countless innovations that have changed the way we all live and move through the world,” Doe said. “We’re showcasing some of those makers and creations at SXSW, while highlighting the incredible places and opportunities our state offers to live, work and build a life. No matter what you’re into, there’s something for everyone in Michigan. Michigan’s presence at SXSW helps us to speak directly to the talent that we know can thrive in the Great Lakes State, whether they’re building their own company or supporting the vast number of Michigan’s existing tech leaders of all sizes and across industries. Our message is: Let’s grow!”

The MEDC added the annual SXSW Conference offers attendees a view of the future, celebrating innovation and technology and providing a forum for creative thinkers to discuss what’s next and connect to resources and community to build the future.

While SXSW is known for high-profile premieres and live performances, it has also become an early career hot spot for professional development, according to the MEDC. From tech startup competitions and future-focused exhibitors to global emerging talent and buzzworthy speakers, SXSW fosters creative and professional growth across a multitude of industries.

The MEDC added the festival’s demographic data show 62% of attendees are between the ages of 26 and 45, with 67% having a household income of at least $100,000. Among the main industries for total attendance in 2023 were marketing and advertising, creative industries and computer technology. Events like SXSW are opportunities to raise awareness of Michigan’s unique places, creativity and innovation among diverse talent sectors Michigan communities and employers are eager to recruit.

Doe is a featured panelist at SXSW’s influential Midwest House, an experiential embassy of the nation’s Midwest region to SXSW and a year-round catalyst for regions, innovators and creatives, the MEDC said. Gilchrist is featured on a panel during Tuesday’s 2024 SXSW Conference programming. Another SXSW panel will include Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson discussing “The Future of Air Travel: Innovation From the Ground Up.”

MEDC officials said they will join state leaders hosting sessions on a wide array of topics ranging from innovation, technology and economic opportunities to Michigan’s strong union heritage and the state’s role in building America’s premier Black tech ecosystem. Several Michigan-based outdoor recreation companies, such as Carhartt and Wolverine Worldwide will also be highlighted.

In addition, the MEDC said it is hosting a panel featuring Juan Atkins, regarded as the founding father of techno who made Detroit the birthplace of that music genre, and West Michigan tech founder and CEO, beverage entrepreneur and popular local DJ Andrea “Dre” Wallace, who will discuss the intersection of “Techno and Tech” followed by a happy hour showcasing Detroit-style pizza and Michigan beer.

Organizations from the U.P. include:

• Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
• Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
• Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
• Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
• Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
• Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.

All businesses and organizations from Michigan:

• Alfie Logo Gear (Traverse City): We’ll get you geared up. Spiffy logo gear, branded merch and creative solutions for companies, teams, events and more!
• Angling A.i. (Jackson): Revolving around the “do-it yourselfers” in the fishing industry, our products allow anglers to make high-quality baits at reduced prices.
• Athlytic AI Fitness Coach (Detroit): Apple Watch or iPhone app that gives you personalized insights into and coaching about your health and daily training.
• Audio Radar (Holland): Deaf and hard-of-hearing players can “see the sound” during game play with innovative Adaptive Surround Vision Technology.
• Badr Photography (Dearborn): Specializing in advertising food photography.
• Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo): The home of Oberon beer, and other unique and inspired craft beer.
• BetterPlay Studios (Ann Arbor): World-class gaming experiences to positively impact your mental health.
• BrandXR (Detroit): Bring your brand to life with Augmented Reality (AR)!
• Breadless (Detroit): Low-carb and 100% gluten-free dishes that are absolutely tasty!
• Bridge Street Exchange (Fenton): Lifestyle-based clothing and gift store with an emphasis on quality.
• Cafe Rica LLC (Battle Creek): The Cereal City’s top coffee spot for cold brews and brunch service.
• Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
• Corteva Agriscience (Midland): The world’s largest pureplay agricultural company — we offer farmers a comprehensive and diverse portfolio, from crop protection to seeds.
• Discover Kalamazoo: In Kalamazoo County, you’ll experience big-city excitement, with a twist of easygoing comfort.
• Experience Grand Rapids: Culture Pass GR is your three-day admission ticket to explore Grand Rapids.
• Farmish (Grand Rapids): A marketplace app that connects local farms with consumers and wholesale buyers.
• FPX Consulting (Dearborn): Business solutions for small businesses and organizations.
• Giggso (Bloomfield Hills): A no-code Model Ops observability platform for data science, engineering teams and business execs.
• Gilmore Car Museum (Hickory Corners): North America’s largest car museum.
• Great Lakes Crystal (East Lansing): A cost-effective source of large-area, high-quality, single-crystal diamond materials for advanced electronics and quantum technology applications.
• Holo Footwear Inc. (Grand Rapids): Created with a want to shake up the footwear industry — we create sustainable and attainable shoes made with recycled materials.
• IMAGIO Glass Design (Sterling Heights): A healthy alternative to tile and grout!
• Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
• Krav’n Cookies (Saginaw): Sweet shop with over 50 cupcake flavors and more than 100 menu items, including Krav’n Cookies.
• The Lip Bar (Detroit): We’re maximum impact, minimal effort beauty must-haves designed for your complexion. Founded and owned by Women of Color.
• Lite Raise (Mount Clemens): Empowering students and organizations to increase their fundraising potential.
• Live Oak Coffeehouse (Midland): We’re a local gem, offering specialty brews and a warm ambiance for gathering and conversation.
• LoanSense (Ypsilanti): We reduce student loan payments and debt-to-income to help borrowers.
• Lodge Sound (Brighton): The future of outdoor audio! The first self-charging, weatherproof, premium wireless speaker for the outdoors.
• MaxPro (Rochester): Fit a weight room’s worth of equipment into any size space. MaxPro gives you the flexibility of a complete full-body workout, no dedicated space required.
• MoGo (Detroit): Sustainable, on-demand transportation.
• Own It (Holland): Leveraging biometrics to improve wellness, performance and quality of life.
• Paxahau Presents (Detroit): Dance music events promoter and producer of the Motor City’s iconic Movement Music Festival.
• Pearl Edison (Detroit): Streamlining energy efficiency retrofits, making electrification easy and affordable.
• Politics on the Go (POGO, Detroit): A civic tech company simplifying civic engagement for Gen Z and millennials through a gamified, nonpartisan app to revolutionize election research.
• Port City Emporium (Manistee): We carry art and artisan wares from over 40 artists, most from Michigan.
• Reaction Technologies (Ann Arbor): Building athletes’ spatial awareness and proper form using a heads-up display.
• Rebel Nell (Detroit): Sustainable jewelry brand supporting women transitioning out of shelter living.
• Revolin Sports (Holland): Sustainable pickleball paddles designed for obsessed players.
• Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
• Robal Tech LLC (Detroit): Reduce HR workload! Put talent and workforce management into one single sign-on. Try us free for 30 days.
• Short’s Brewing (Bellaire): Michigan’s largest independent craft brewer (plus award-winning Starcut Ciders).
• SISU Custom Fit Mouthguards, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Specializing in advanced oral protection.
• Sniffer Robotics Inc. (Ann Arbor): Sniffer Robotics is a leading environmental technology-enabled services firm providing methane emissions monitoring services for ground applications.
• Soldadera Coffee (Grand Rapids): Authentic Mexican coffee experiences through premium products.
• SOVA Night Guard, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Advanced dental protection for nighttime use.
• Southwest Michigan First (Kalamazoo): With vibrant, artistic communities, family-friendly entertainment options and over 80 public access lakes, you can thrive in Southwest Michigan!
• Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
• Swaddelini (Holland): A seamless 3D knit sleep sack made with zero closure systems.
• Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
• Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.
• TripSlip (Detroit): Digital permission slips making field trips equitable and easy to manage.
• Visit Detroit: Mobile-exclusive passes offer savings at some of the best craft breweries and pizzerias in metro Detroit.

Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.